Certificate in Music Production
Juilliard Extension’s Certificate in Music Production (CMP) emphasizes a hands-on, project-oriented approach covering a broad spectrum of music production techniques, specifically tailored for composing and producing in various contemporary music genres. Each course is designed to equip students with the foundational skills and tools necessary for working in electronic music, popular music styles, and music for visual media. Key features include:
- Technology Integration: Courses such as Introduction to Music Technology and Introduction to Interactive Music Technology focus on using specific software and technologies (including MaxMSP and Ableton Live) to create and manipulate music. This is significant for students who are interested in cutting-edge music technology and interactive performance tools.
- Genre-Specific Production: The Studio to Stage course addresses production techniques across a range of popular genres including EDM, pop, rock, and R&B. This specificity supports students aiming to produce and perform contemporary popular music.
- Application in Visual Media: Composing for Visual Media and the Scoring to Picture Workshop extend production skills into the realm of film and television, providing practical experience in scoring, working with visual artists, and understanding the complete workflow from spotting to final mix.
- Creative and Practical Projects: Each course requires students to engage in hands-on projects that might involve composing original pieces, producing music for recorded formats and live performances, and even scoring actual film scenes. This practical emphasis ensures that students not only learn theoretical aspects but also apply them in real-world contexts.
Requirements
The Certificate in Music Production requires a minimum of 12 credits as follows:
EVCRT 415 Introduction to Music Technology (2 credits; 1 semester)
An introduction to the basic skills needed for composing and arranging electronic music. Topics of study include sequencing, sampling, and editing and processing digital audio. Basic Macintosh skills are required.
GRMUS P672P Studio to Stage (2 credits; 1 semester)
Prerequisite: GRMUS P660. For students interested in composing and producing contemporary popular music. The course will cover basic procedures and practices used in diverse contemporary and emerging musical styles including EDM, electronica, pop, rock, R&B, rap and hip-hop, and various sub-genres of indie music. A variety of production and performance software will be used in class with an emphasis on Ableton Live. Projects will include original compositions produced for recorded formats and live performance.
EVCRT 515 Music Production Workshop (2 credits; 1 semester)
Prerequisite: GRMUS P660. A survey of electronic music production techniques most frequently used by composers, arrangers, and producers in the recording industry. Topics of study include creating rhythm tracks, arranging for electronic instruments, the use of signal processing, and basic mixing skills. Homework will include creative projects as well as listening assignments.
GRMUS P667 Introduction to Interactive Music Technology (2 credits; 1 semester)
An introductory class in which students will learn about and perform interactive and electroacoustic computer music without any external devices such as synthesizers.
GRMUS P662 Composing for Visual Media (2 credits; 1 semester)
Prerequisite: GRMUS P660. For students interested in learning the fundamental skills needed to compose and produce music for visual media including film, television, games and emerging art forms. Topics include creative collaboration with directors and visual artists, traditional and emerging art forms, diverse styles of music composition and production, and analysis of masterworks of professional composers. Students will be required to compose and produce original scores to excerpts from feature films, documentaries, and other filmed media.
GRMUS P664 Scoring to Picture Workshop (2 credits; 1 semester)
Prerequisite: GRMUS P662. This intensive workshop is designed for Juilliard composers interested in music for narrative media. Students will score scenes from films or TV programs with the expert guidance of an established composer of film and TV music. The workshop experience will expose students to all aspects of the process from creation to production, including a spotting session, recording the score with Juilliard musicians, and a final film mix.
Key Differences Between Juilliard Extension Certificate in Music Production and Other Programs
- Focus on Specific Software and Interactive Technologies: Juilliard Extension’s program places a significant and distinctive emphasis on digital and interactive music technologies such as MaxMSP and Ableton Live.
- Direct Involvement in Film Scoring: Juilliard Extension uniquely provides direct scoring experiences for film and TV, involving practical sessions with professionals and recording with live musicians.
- Project-Centric Learning: While other programs might involve practical projects, Juilliard Extension’s course projects involve live performance and scoring for visual media, emphasizing the direct application of skills in professional contexts.