Music and Technology, Contemporary – Composition Diploma

Program Details

Credential Received

Diploma in Contemporary Music and Technology – Composition

Overview

Program Summary

The Contemporary Music & Technology program prepares students for the commercial music and entertainment industry.  

Students develop skills in performance, improvisation, songwriting, composition, film scoring, recording and live sound mixing.  Through individual instruction and ensembles, students explore contemporary genres from rock and blues, to jazz, folk, and global music. Selkirk College is an Academic Partner of the world-renowned Berklee College of Music.  The program follows Berklee’s curriculum and the guiding principle that the best way to prepare students for careers in music is through the study and practice of contemporary music.  

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Communicate effectively in various formats to a variety of stakeholders
2. Apply entrepreneurial skills
3. Apply developing problem-solving skills
4. Outline the importance of professional and ethical behaviour
5. Explain terms, concepts and practices relevant to the music industry
6. Use music industry-related technology proficiently
7. Function collaboratively in a modern music industry environment
8. Demonstrate developing critical and creative thinking skills

Program Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements to Selkirk College, applicants to the Contemporary Music and Technology Program must meet the following requirements to be considered fully qualified:

• Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent with a minimum of 60% or higher in English Studies 12

Additional Requirements

• Successfully pass an audition/interview that consists of:
  • Assessment of instrumental ability on an instrument/voice. The instruments that are accepted are: guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, voice, saxophone, trumpet, banjo, mandolin and violin/fiddle.
  • Demonstration of basic music theory proficiency equivalent to the Royal Conservatory Grade II, through a written examination that includes identifying intervals, key signatures and triads in basic music theory equivalent to Royal Conservatory of Music Grade II requirements.
  • An ear training test for pitch, triads, rhythmic and melodic diction and interval recognition.

When it is not feasible to do the audition in person, alternate arrangements can be made. The theory and ear training test can be sent to the applicant for invigilation by an authorized person, and the performance portion can be submitted through approved audio/media material or by providing a link to an online video.

Special Exceptions

Applicants who perform an exceptional audition but who do not meet the theory and ear training standard will be required to attend a two-week theory preparation course in August. The applicant must have a minimum final grade of 75% in both the ear training and the theory sections to be accepted into the Music Program for September. Applicants who do not meet the minimum standard in matching pitch will not be accepted into the program.

Completed applications (except for the audition) are recommended to be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by April 30 prior to the start of the next intake of the program. Applications may be accepted after this date with permission of the school chair. The recommended deadline for completion of the audition process is May 31 prior to the commencement of the program.

Auditions will be arranged by the department when the completed application form and transcripts are received.

Study your instrument and related skills in the first year and choose a major in the second. An initial core year that provides solid grounding in music theory and ear training is followed by one of five program majors.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Before the applicant's file is considered to be complete, the following must be received:

a) completed application form;

b) official transcripts* of secondary school grades (an interim statement of grades is acceptable if the applicant is still attending secondary school);

c) official transcripts* of all other post-secondary education grades;

d) applicant information questionnaire; and

e) audition, theory, match pitch and ear training exam(s) results.

*Unofficial transcripts or photocopies will not be sufficient to complete the file.

2. Completed applications are recommended to be submitted to the Registrar’s office by April 30th Applications may be accepted after this date with permission of the school chair. The program has limited space available so preference will be given to those that apply early.

3. Recommended deadline for completion of the audition process (see point A.2 above) is May 31 prior to the commencement of the program.

4. Auditions will be arranged by the department when items B.1a) to B.1e) above are completed.

PART TIME STUDENTS

All full-time students in the Music Program must take, in each semester, all the "Music Core and Concentrate Courses" as applicable to the chosen major, as listed in section D: Graduation Requirements.
Students wishing to enrol in the Music Program on a part-time basis may do so providing the same entry requirements as full-time students as stated in section I.A have been fulfilled. Part-time students and full-time students not meeting the requirement of part C1 may attend classes only where space is available, after all full-time students are scheduled and permission from the course instructor has been obtained.

Graduation and Promotion

Students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher with no grades below "C-". Specific majors have additional graduation requirements.

PROMOTION

1. In order to progress from one semester to the following, each semester must be completed with a term GPA of 2.0 (“C” average) or better, and no more than one “F.” Normally, students who do not meet this standard will be placed on Academic Probation the following term as per Policy 8619. Failure to meet this standard for two consecutive terms will result in a Required to Withdraw letter from the Dean.

2. In order to progress from Semester I to Semester II, students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 ("C" average) or better; To progress from Semester II to Semester III, students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 ("C" average) or better, plus any requirements for their chosen major. To progress from Semester III to Semester IV, students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 ("C" average) or better. Those students whose GPA is between 1.00 and 1.99 may continue as a General major.

3. Students who have an Incomplete grade ("I") at the end of any term may be allowed to proceed into the following term on a "conditional" basis. Such "conditional promotion" status will normally be permitted to continue only for the specified period permitted for the conversion of "I" grades (within 30 days). The "I" grade must be converted to meet the terms in B.1.

4. Due to the limited space available, a maximum of 10 students will be accepted into the Production major. In the event that more than 10 eligible students request acceptance into the Production major, the School Chair may increase capacity; otherwise, priority will be given to students with the highest GPA.

A. Prerequisites for Majors (Year 2)

For acceptance to majors in second year, students must have no ‘F’ grades, or have cleared previous ‘F’ grades in addition to the following major-specific requirements:

1. COMPOSITION: "B" or better in MUSC 175 Contemporary Harmony II and MUSC 171 Arranging II.

DECLARING A MAJOR
The process to declare a major happens at the end of January for Music students who expect to complete the prerequisites listed in C above.

1. Students attend an info session at Music Forum class to learn about potential majors.

2. Review the required Music and Core Competency Courses specific to each major.

3. Complete an online Major Declaration Form listing the choice of major and preferred elective(s) by January 31.

GRADUATION (also see College Policy 8617 Graduation)

1. Credential:
Diploma in Contemporary Music and Technology with a specified major. Majors include: Performance, Production, Composition, Songwriting, and General Studies.

2. General Requirements:
Students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher as per Policy 8617: Credentials and Graduation. Students who do not meet this standard will be required to repeat course(s) with a grade below “C” in order to raise the cumulative GPA.

3. Specific Requirements – Majors: Performance, Composition, Songwriting

a) To graduate as a Performance, Composition or Songwriting major, students must complete Year One course requirements as outlined in the tables below, all the requirements for their chosen major, and perform a Graduation Showcase.

b) Performance, Composition, and Songwriting majors who do not meet the specific graduation requirements for their major will not perform a Graduation Showcase. These students will graduate as a General Studies Major upon successful completion of the general graduation requirements and the coursework for a General Studies Major.

Graduation Showcase: Performance, Composition, and Songwriting majors must present a Graduation Showcase.

Additional Program Policies