This program gives the student the opportunity to undertake an intensive period of study in areas and topics of personal interest. Students choose from class offerings and professional rhythm section style areas. Elective offerings may vary from semester to semester.
This program includes the following courses:
READING PROFICIENCY PROGRAM (9 class sequence – 18 contact hours)
The Collective Reading Proficiency Program consists of a series of progressive courses on levels from 1 to 5. Students learn sight-reading skills and the ability to interpret music from a wide variety of sources and formats
RHYTHM SECTION INTENSIVE PERFORMANCE ELECTIVES (10 class sequence – 20 contact hours)
Each of the following elective rhythm section classes has an associated private lesson assigned to the student with the instructor of the performance class. The focus of the private work is to prepare for and review the work done in the rhythm section class. All rhythm section classes have professional rhythm section players.
NOTE: Elective Intensives offerings are subject to minimal enrollment levels.
A. Contemporary Jazz
B. Jazz / Funk
C. Contemporary Professional Musician
D. Progressive Rock (Winter & Summer semesters only)
E. Brazilian Styles (Fall & Spring semesters only)
F. Pop/R&B (Fall & Summer semesters only)
COORDINATED PRIVATE STUDY (1 class – 10 contact hours)
Each performance style offers private lessons with the teacher for the purposes of preparing and reviewing the student's performance in the rhythm section class.
ELECTIVE CLASS (8 class sequence – 16 contact hours)
Students may further personalize their plan of study by choosing from the following list of elective classes. Prerequisites may apply. Elective class offerings are subject to minimal enrollment levels and are open to non-fulltime students (list shown below).
*ELECTIVE CLASS COURSE OFFERINGS* These courses are offered every semester-contingent upon enrollment. Elective classes are included in every second-year program: PMP, EIP, and APP. Students in these programs should make a selection from the list below. Students not in one of these programs may add an elective class to their program for an additional tuition fee.
PERFORMANCE SERIES
1. DRUMSET PERFORMANCE TECHNIQUES
This class studies the natural movement of the hands, feet and body with emphasis on breathing while performing. The student will study and perform various exercises on both the pad and the drum set with the goal of gaining more mastery of the body during performance situations.
2. DRUMMERS SOLOING/IMPROVISATION
Students work on developing their musical spontaneity in within given formal structures and contexts. Soloing and improvisation is studied in a number of important styles and settings. Available for non-drum students upon request.
3. ODD METERS
Students work in a systematic way to achieve fluency in the less common meters and subdivisions, with a strong focus on musical application in accompaniment and soloing situations. Odd meters in /4, /8, /16*, rhythm scales and rhythmic subdivisions over multiple beats will be among the topics covered in this course.
4. POLYRHYTHMS
The complexity of polyrhythm’s is laid out in an relatively easy to understand system, which helps students to find musical applications to each set of rhythmic and metric combinations.
5. POSITIVE PERFORMANCE THOUGHT
This course deals with learning how to handle the pressures associated with performance and how to develop “positive performance thought”. Students will also learn how to bring variety and subtlety to their performance – a number of styles and feels will by focused on, including; Samba, Partido Alto, 3/4 Samba, Baiao, Cascara, Clave, Songo, Mozambique, Afro Cuban 6/8, Contemporary Funk, 3/4 Funk & Swing.
6. VOCAL & ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE FOR MUSICIANS
This class will combine basic vocal production with principles of the F.M. Alexander Technique. The students will learn to sing in a relaxed and effortless way, with the least amount of stress and tension possible. Techniques studied in this class will enhance an individual’s overall musical performance.
7. HARMONIC LINEAR IMPROVISATION
This course goes through a series of sequential exercises designed to help students master common chord progressions and their associated key centers. Chord patterns start with diatonic 7th chords and progress through 251 progressions, altered chords, and chord extensions.
DIGITAL MUSIC PRODUCTION SERIES
1. MUSICIANSHIP
This course links the study of music theory with its practical application aural and keyboard skills. Students apply information studied in class to the piano keyboard. Course topics include scales, chord structures, chord progressions, and song forms.
2. COMPOSITION / ARRANGING
Students learn to apply basic musical concepts to the writing and arranging of original material. Both live and electronic media are used in this course.
3. DIGITAL MUSIC PRODUCTION
Students are introduced to the professional state-of-the-art recording techniques and software, including Pro-Tools, Digital Performer, and Logic.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
1. PERSONAL MARKETING AND PROMOTION This course is designed to help students become self-sufficient in the utilization of contemporary digital tools for the purpose of promoting themselves and their music. Students learn the basics of web, Myspace, and facebook site development and construction and design, using state-of-the-art Adobe Creative Suite software. The goal of the course is for each student to launch there own MySpace or Facebook site, and to understand how to proceed to launch their own web site.
