MUSC 1331

COMMERCIAL MUSIC MANAGEMENT
(COURSE MASTER SYLLABUS)

MUSC-1331 MUSICAL INSTRUMENT DIGITAL INTERFACE I
(MIDI I)

REQUIRED TEXT:
“The MIDI Manual” by David Huber.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Headphones, and a folder to keep handouts and notes in. Each student is responsible for his or her own materials and supplies (floppy disks, zip disks, CDs etc.)

OPTIONAL TEXT:
Modern Recording Techniques,
Robert E. Runstein and David Miles Huber, Howard W. Sams & Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1987.

Practical Art of Motion Picture Sound,
David Lewis Yewdall, M.P.S.E.,Copyright © 1999 by Butterworth-Heinmann (Focal Press.com)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
We will begin with a brief overview of historical events that lead to the development of MIDI. This will include related topics such as recording technology, sound synthesis, computers, etc. Throughout the course we will study basic music theory, emphasizing keyboard skills and rhythmic theory to facilitate the students ability to compose music with MIDI. Classroom lectures and demonstrations will explore MIDI and how it continues to evolve and change the ways we create music. Hands-on experience with MIDI synthesizers and Macintosh based sequencing and music notation software will provide a basic understanding of an integrated MIDI studio and how to create/produce music using MIDI. Participation in classroom discussions and demonstrations of various MIDI concepts and applications will form the basis of class meetings. Each student will be expected to devote several hours outside of class each week working in the MIDI Lab Studio on weekly assignments. Later in the semester, students will begin to work on their final projects, which will be an original musical composition.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES
The primary objective of the course is to teach students the basic technical skills needed to create and produce music using a computer based integrated studio software solution. Secondary goals are to improve the students listening skills and to give the student practical hands on experience in a collaborative environment that combines the technical and artistic aspects of music production. Students who successfully complete the course should be able to demonstrate the basic skills needed to write, record, edit, and mix music using MIDI and audio sequencing software. Students should also be able to name and list the functions of the components needed in a computer based MIDI studio. In addition, students should also be able to produce simple musical scores for piano.

PREREQUISITES:
No musical nor computer training is assumed; for this reason, assignments will not be judged solely on musical considerations but on an adequate mastery of the techniques covered during the course. Basic musical concepts and computer terms will be discussed as they relate to MIDI and suggestions for further study and related topics will be provided. It is suggested that students look for any opportunity to take a fundamental music theory class and any classes that would enhance their keyboard/piano skills since the level of skill a student possessed in this area can greatly affect their ability to use MIDI sequencing software.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY
Participation in classroom discussions, and demonstrations of various MIDI sequencing and production concepts and techniques will form the basis of class meetings. Students will be expected to devote some additional time each week outside of the regularly scheduled class time in order to complete any assignments given, and to gain valuable hands on experience. Opportunities for creative collaboration between students will be explored.
Later in the semester, students will begin to work on their Final projects. The ACC Department of Commercial Music Management will provide computers and software, and MIDI keyboard controllers.

COURSE RATIONALE
No prior technical training is assumed. Assignments will not be judged solely on stylistic considerations but on an adequate mastery of the techniques covered during the course. Basic concepts and terms will be discussed as they relate to music production, and suggestions for further study and related topics will be provided. Classroom lectures and demonstrations will explore music production and how it continues to evolve and change the ways we create music. Hands-on experience with computer-based MIDI sequencing and music notation software will help to facilitate a basic understanding of music composition, arrangement, and production technique.

STUDENT EVALUATION

	• Assignments..................................................................	25%
	• quizzes and exams........................................................	25%
	• class participation (*also affected by attendance)..........	25%
	• Final Project..................................................................	25%

Classroom attendance IS REQUIRED. The subject matter requires visual and aural correlation of technical and esthetic concepts presented. For every unexcused absence the student will lose 25% off of a letter grade for the course. (Every four absences will result in the student’s final grade being lowered by one letter grade) *In addition, since 25% of the student’s final grade is based on class participation. Excessive absences can also result in lowering the student’s class participation grade.
fore the start of the semester.

POLICIES:

•	Makeup exams may be given if arrangements are made prior to the exam date.
•	Students will not receive full credit for assignments turned in late.
•	Failure to attend class regularly may result in a lower grade.
•	If you do not attend class the entire semester you will receive a failing grade.
•	Withdrawal from this class is the responsibility of the student.
•	An incomplete may be given to a student under special circumstances. If you feel this is necessary you must discuss the issue with the instructor no less than three weeks prior to the end of the semester.
•	Scholastic Dishonesty: (From Student Handbook 2002-2003, p. 32) ; "Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work, Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research, or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group: classroom presentations and homework."
•	Office of Students with Disabilities: (From Student Handbook, 2002-2003, p. 14) ; "Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical of psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester."
•	Student Discipline: Students are expected to behave as responsible adults and be courteous to their instructor and classmates at all times. Any student not demonstrating these qualities will be asked to leave the classroom. Repeated unacceptable behavior will result in a student being asked to leave the class permanently.
•	Academic Freedom: Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. Students may not only disagree with each other at times, but the student and instructor may also find that they have disparate views on sensitive and volatile topics. It is the college's hope that these differences will enhance the class and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. Therefore, be assured that your grade will not be adversely affected by any beliefs or ideas expressed in class or assignments. Rather, we will respect the views of other when expressed in classroom discussions.