CMUS 315 Contemporary Music and Studio Direction

This course equips students for success in dynamic music directing and especially within a commercial music context. Students will hone essential skills including conducting techniques, score interpretation, and rehearsal management and will engage in a comparative analysis of conducting practices, applying insights to Broadway, studio recording, and modern worship contexts. By integrating musicianship, styles, and disciplined performance principles, the curriculum empowers students to embrace the multifaceted role of a Music Director, fostering adaptability and creativity in today’s evolving musical landscape.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt. The thread must be at least 300 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to at least 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 200 words.

Exercise Video Assignments (4)

The student will submit three videos of gestural conducting concepts practiced during the assigned module: week. The conducting exercises will vary in length and style. For this assignment, the student is required to record a video showcasing conducting skills with the required musical selections. The student will need to access the audio track on the Labuta companion website for these exercises. The student will record each video directly to MCGRAW-HILL GO REACT located in Canvas. The student will be assessed on technical skills taught in the weekly videos and a general understanding/development of conducting concepts.

Video Project Assignments (2)

The student will upload 2 major project videos of complete pieces demonstrating his or her progress with gestural expressions. The video projects will vary in length and style. For these assignments, the student is required to record a video showcasing conducting skills with the required musical selections. Unlike the video exercises, the video projects focus on all concepts learned in the course up until the assigned module. The student will video each project directly to MCGRAW-HILL GO REACT located in Canvas. The student will be assessed on technical skills taught in the weekly videos and a general understanding/development of conducting concepts taught throughout the course.

Broadway Musical Directing Assignment

The student will write a reflective paper exploring how the articles and videos provided in this module can benefit development as a music director/conductor. The student will discuss key concepts presented, compare them to their understanding from the earlier modules that taught basic conducting techniques, and explain how this new knowledge may shape their future work as a music director. The submission should be 2 to 3 pages in length and exhibit correct Turabian formatting. 

Studio Conducting Assignment

In this assignment, the student will focus on studio conducting, helping you to understand its practical aspects and apply the insights gained from module content. The student will summarize key insights from the provided articles and videos, analyze a film score’s recording process, and describe preparations and actions as a studio conductor in a ‘Conductor’s Journal’. The submission should be 2 to 3 pages in length and exhibit correct Turabian formatting.

Worship Music Director Assignment

In this assignment, you will cultivate the skills required to be a proficient music director in a contemporary worship music setting. You will analyze provided music charts and recordings, marking the charts to provide direction during rehearsals and live performances, considering various aspects of a live performance. The submission should be 2 to 3 pages in length for the written portion and exhibit correct Turabian formatting. The chart analyzations will be loaded into the same assignment link.