Program: Popular Music BSM
School of Music
College of Visual and Performing Arts
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 Sound, many courses are held in the new Sweetwater Music Center which 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 writing and performing of songs within various popular music genres.
Or Recording and Production Concentration that focuses on the recording and production of music utilizing state of the art music technology.
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.
- Will declare primary and secondary instruments in either 1) Primary instrument, voice with secondary instrument in keyboard or guitar, or 2) Primary instrument, keyboard or guitar with secondary instrument in voice.
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.
BSM Popular Music students are expected to own a computer-based digital audio workstation that is compatible with the School of Music high-end system, and that will allow students to work in their own space on their own time. The Director of Popular Music shall maintain the list of current equipment and capability BSM Popular Music students are expected to own. Since such equipment is considered to be “tools of the trade”, this equipment expenditure can be included in Financial Aid loan calculations.
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 state-of-the-art music recording facilities.
Accreditation:
Program Delivery:
- Courses for this major are offered on campus and at the Sweetwater Music Center.
General Requirements:
