Core Courses
Faith, Music and Culture (3 Credits)
The purpose of this course is to help students develop a Christian approach to the creation, marketing and consumption of contemporary music. While engaging in studies of theory, history and criticism, students will explore the concept of culture and the nature of popular culture, while examining popular art and music in contemporary aesthetic, social, cultural and industrial contexts. Additional topics include a study of the role of popular music in cultural communication, the development of a Christian critical method and an examination of different Christian approaches to popular art and culture.
 CMC Faith, Music and Culture Syllabus

Inside the Music Industry (3 Credits)
Through readings, lectures and seminars, the course will give up-to-the-minute insight into the inner workings of the music industry. Emphasis will be given to career possibilities and the gifts and skills required to succeed in each of the major areas, including work as a performer, songwriter, record producer and engineer, artist manager, booking agent, concert promoter, record retailer, entertainment attorney, A&R executive, marketing executive, sales executive and music journalist.  Students will gain an understanding of the structure and methodologies of a typical U.S. record company, including A&R, marketing, radio promotion, public relations, sales & distribution, product development, art, manufacturing and business affairs.
  Inisde the Music Industry Syllabus

Supervised Practicum (1 Credit)
Each student will participate in an intensive week-long road trip to a major music market. Briefings, tours, and meetings will be arranged with leading record companies, artist management firms, booking agencies, recording studios, concert promoters, writers, producers and artists in various cities. 
 Supervised Practicum Syllabus


In addition to the Core Courses, each student will choose either the Artist Track or the Executive Track.

Artist Track
Essentials of Song Writing (3 Credits)
Artists will receive classroom instruction, participate in directed study with faculty and work in collaboration with other students to develop their use of form, melody, harmony, rhythm and lyric. Emphasis will be placed on the song as the vehicle for the artist's creative exploration and public communication.
  Essentials of Song Writing -- Syllabus

Studio Recording (3 Credits)
Artists, via both the classroom and lab, will work with faculty, other students and visiting experts to learn how to produce, record, mix and edit recordings in a professional digital studio.
  Studio Recording -- Syllabus

Performance (3 Credits)
In consultation with faculty and Executive Track students, Artists will develop a live concert presentation that best utilizes their gifts as musicians, entertainers and communicators. Both on-campus showcases and public performances will be presented throughout the semester.
  Performance -- Syllabus

Executive Track
Artist Management (3 Credits)
Through lecture, text and online investigations, Executive Track students will gain a thorough-going understanding of the economic, creative and spiritual elements critical to a career in contemporary music. In concert with faculty they will help Artist Track students develop a career plan and prepare the materials necessary to pitch an artist to a record company and negotiate a recording contract.
 Artist Management -- syllabus

A&R (Artists & Repertoire) (3 Credits)
Executives will learn how to spot talent; create a label business plan; analyze and forecast trends in popular music; assemble a successful artist roster; and, in tandem with Artists, they will plan, budget and produce recording sessions.
 A&R (Artists & Repertoire) -- Syllabus

Music, Marketing and Sales (3 Credits)
Through classroom instruction and hands-on experience, Executive Track students will become familiar with the role of packaging, retail point-of-purchase materials, publicity, advertising, radio and video promotion, Internet marketing and tour support in the marketing and sale of recorded music. Students will develop a comprehensive marketing plan for each semester's Artist recordings.
 Music, Marketing, and Sales - Syllabus