INTRODUCTORY SONGWRITING AND ARRANGING

This certificate of achievement prepares students for entry-level work in the music industry and introduces them to the process of songwriting and arranging. This course of study is designed for students who want to learn chord structure, form, rhythm, melody, harmony, and lyrics in a variety of contemporary and traditional styles. Students also record song demos and create lead sheets.

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Goals, Background, Associations

Purpose and Goals and Specific Objectives of Degree/CertificateThis certificate will teach students how to: analyze lyrics, context, and melodic/harmonic structures of a song in a variety of contemporary and traditional styles. Students will also be able to make demos and lead sheets in a variety of contemporary and traditional styles.

Background and Rationale

Los Angeles is a leading city for creatives. The city is home to some the industry’s earliest and best-known record labels, including Capitol Records, A&M Records, and Warner Bros. Records. The area is blanketed with myriad venues and performance spaces, as well as entertainment and theme parks, including Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Universal Studios. 

In Hollywood’s film studios, there is a holistic and endless need for those trained in various arts, including music and technology. A wide array of artists and technicians—including film scorers, songwriters, sound designers, sound engineers, studio musicians, and performers—are responsible for making the film industry work. 

Place of Program in Curriculum/Similar Programs at Rio HondoThe Music and Integrated Technology program will work in tandem with the current Music Department course offerings but will focus on Music Technology and create CTE/vocational and CSU transfer opportunities for our students.

This certificate of achievement prepares students for entry-level work in the music industry and introduces them to the process of songwriting and arranging. This course of study is designed for students who want to learn chord structure, form, rhythm, melody, harmony, and lyrics in a variety of contemporary and traditional styles. Students also record song demos and create lead sheets.

To acquire the Certificate of Achievement in Introductory Songwriting and Arranging, it is necessary to complete the following courses:

Required Courses	Units
MUST 101	Introduction to Music Technology	3
MUST 105	Introduction to the Music Business	3
MUS 103	** Music Theory I	3
MUS 104	# Music Theory II	3
MUS 106	** Musicianship I	1
MUS 107	# Musicianship II	1
MUS 145	Piano I	1
MUST 115	* Songwriting and Arranging I	3
Units Required    18
** Corequisite
# Corequisite and prerequisite
* Prerequisite

The Music and Integrated Technology program will work in tandem with the current Music Department course offerings but will focus on Music Technology and create CTE/vocational and CSU transfer opportunities for our students.

2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 Latest 3 Yr Avg 100500 - Commercial Music Cerritos 2 6 4 4 Citrus 69 71 40 60 LA City 226 276 212 238 LA Harbor 3 10 6 6 LA Valley 15 17 18 17 Long Beach 7 7 7 7 100500 - Commercial Music Total 322 387 287 332

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