In the fall of 2021, LMU’s Music Department will introduce a new contemporary styles and practices concentration that will allow students to explore music technology and popular music. The new concentration is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in the popular music industry as producers, songwriters, recording engineers, TV and film composers, or even performance artists.
“Our department has traditionally been more classically based, but with this new concentration we really want to take advantage of the music technology industry here in LA,” said Professor David Carter, the program director. “We’re building the new concentration from the ground up and I think it will be a good way to help diversify the music curriculum, especially by studying more artists and composers who are women and people of color.”
The concentration will include two core classes and six semester hours of music electives. The vernacular harmony and forms core class will begin in the fall of 2021, followed by the music technology and production core class, which will be offered in the spring. Professor Carter is anticipating adding more classes to the concentration as well, including a film composition class.
“I believe that contemporary styles and practices can help me stand out as an artist and a creator,” said junior music major Destin Christopher. “We currently stand at the precipice of an artistic renaissance across the board within this new technological age. I want to be able to put myself at the forefront of this movement and I am beyond excited to get more immersed in the music I make outside of school.”
A new state-of-the-art music technology lab is being built in the Burns Fine Arts Center to support the classes in the new concentration. The technology lab will be ready for use in the fall of 2021 and will be accessible to all music majors and minors. The space will contain new technology such as MacBook’s equip with digital audio software, keyboards and microphones.
“I am excited to use the new technology lab and learn how to use the software. I am also looking forward to being able to take courses that are in line with my career path,” said sophomore music major Monserrat Torres, who has career goals in music production and film scoring.
Students will be encouraged to make this experience their own by pursuing their passions through class projects. The music technology and production class will be centered on smaller projects throughout the semester in which students will have the opportunity to focus on artists of their choosing.
“I’m always interested to find out what students have been listening to,” said Professor Carter. “I often create a class playlist at the beginning of the semester based on student contributions. And with the new concentration, our class playlist would take on even more meaning, allowing me to explain concepts by drawing on specific examples from pieces that students like.”
Learn more about the Contemporary Styles and Practices concentration here.
