Music (B.S.M.) Popular Music with Concentration in Songwriting/Performance or Recording/Production

Program: Popular Music BSM
School of Music  
College of Visual and Performing Arts

Rhinehart Music Center 144 ~ 260-481-6714

---

A major in music requiring intensive study of an instrument or voice in popular and commercial musical styles and genres, including concentrations in music recording/production or songwriting/performance.  Coursework will foster development of music creation, drawing upon a “core” of music theory, media production, technology, music history/appreciation, entrepreneurship, and study of the music industry.  Musically accomplished and sensitive students will prepare for many different types of careers in the world of music.  Strengthened by the continued close partnership with Sweetwater, many courses will be held in the new Sweetwater Music Center that houses classrooms, collaboration spaces, and top-notch music recording facilities.  

Students earning the degree in Popular Music will choose one of two concentrations: Songwriting and Performance Concentration focuses on the creation of musical products including composing music and lyrics and within various popular music genres.

Or Recording and Production Concentration that focuses on the recording and production of music including live sound and the interface between music and video.

---

Student learning outcomes:

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of popular music theory sufficient to analyze musical forms, structures, and styles; to create within basic musical structures; and to relate theoretical concepts to sound.
• Students will demonstrate performance ability as ensemble members, as soloists on both a primary instrument and a secondary instrument.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge of popular music styles with an understanding of the social, political and cultural impacts that shaped musical development. 
• Students will demonstrate proficiency in utilizing appropriate technology to notate and create music, to investigate and report scholarly research, and to support the specific demands of their professional degrees.

---

Students pursuing the Songwriting and Performance Concentration:

• Will demonstrate competency in commercial songwriting, with focus on composing music and lyrics within various popular music genres.

Students pursuing the Recording and Production Concentration:

• Will demonstrate competency in the recording and production of music including live sound and the interface between music and video.

Students in this degree are subject to the policies for all music degrees found on the Music department page. 

---

Program Description

Find your voice with intensive study in popular and commercial musical styles and genres, including concentrations in music recording/production or songwriting/performance. Courses offer multifaceted experiences in music creation, flowing from a “core” of curriculum of music theory, media production, technology, music history/appreciation, entrepreneurship, and study of the music industry. Popular music training will prepare you for many different types of careers in the vast world of music. Strengthened by our close partnership with Sweetwater Sound Inc., most courses are held in the Purdue University Fort Wayne Sweetwater Music Center with its amazing classrooms, collaboration spaces, and top-notch music recording facilities.

Accreditation:

• Programs offered by the department are fully accredited and under review by the National Association of Schools of Music.

Program Delivery:  

• This major is offered on campus.

General Requirements:

• Degree Requirements  
• General Education Requirements  
• Overlapping Content  
• Academic Regulations