COMMERCIAL MUSIC MANAGEMENT
(COURSE MASTER SYLLABUS)

MUSC-2355 MUSICAL INSTRUMENT DIGITAL INTERFACE II (MIDI II)


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 review of the basics of MIDI. Throughout the course we will continue to study music theory, emphasizing keyboard skills, rhythmic theory, intervals, chords, key signatures, and time signatures. We will also study drum patterns and song form. We will study the basics of digital audio recording and editing using integrated MIDI sequencing and digital audio music production software, and we will study advanced music production and compositional techniques, which will facilitate the student’s ability to compose and produce music. Classroom lectures and demonstrations will explore the integration of MIDI, music notation, and digital audio 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. Of particular emphasis will be the integration of MIDI and Digital Audio. 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, and should be able to troubleshoot at a basic level hardware and software problems. In addition, students should also be able to produce simple musical scores for piano, vocal guitar chord charts, and lead sheets.

PREREQUISITES:
Music fundamentals (MUSI 1301). In addition it is suggested that students look for any opportunity to take advanced music theory classes 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 and notation software.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY:
Participation in classroom discussions, and demonstrations of various MIDI sequencing, audio recording, music notation, music composition 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 EVALUATON:

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

POLICIES:
Attendance: 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.

Withdrawal: The student must perform his or her own withdrawals from the course by the dates designated by ACC’s administration during the semester that the student is enrolled in the course. The instructor is not and will not be responsible for any student’s failure to withdraw from a course. If a student is unable to attend class for a lengthy period of time it is his or her responsibility to withdraw from the course. Failure to withdraw from a course will in most cases result in a grade of F being entered into the final grade form.

Incomplete: A grade of incomplete will only be given by instructor approval. The student must make a formal request in writing before the end of the semester in order for an incomplete to be considered. No incomplete will be given once the final grade form has been submitted to ACC’s administration. If a request for an incomplete is granted, the student and the instructor will enter into a contract. The contract will detail what work needs to be completed by the student, and the date by which the student is to complete the work. Only when the terms of the contract are met in full will an incomplete be granted.

Scholastic Dishonesty: 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, unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academia is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework.

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.

Office of Students with Disabilities: Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or 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.