Modern Artist Development and Entrepreneurship (MDE)

MDE 107. Skills Lab I. 1 Credit Hour.

A Contemporary Performance musical skills ensemble focusing on ear training, transcription, notation, and interactive musicianship for songwriters.
Co-Requisite: MMI 140 and Requisite: Frost School of Music ONLY.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MDE 108. Skills Lab II. 1 Credit Hour.

A Contemporary Performance musical skills ensemble focusing on ear training, tr anscription, notation, and interactive musicianship for songwriters.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MDE 139. Small Contemporary Ensemble. 1 Credit Hour.

A performing ensemble of student-generated contemporary musical repertoire.
Components: ENS.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MDE 140. Experiential Musicianship I. 3 Credit Hours.

The first of a two-course sequence in music theory, with an overall focus on musicianship for the Contemporary Music student. The course emphasizes theoretical and analytical skills, as well as the connection between analysis and other musical experiences in listening and performance. The student will display a written understanding of the basic building blocks of music, through its more advanced constructions and functions.
Co-Requisite: MMI 107 and Requisite: Frost School of Music ONLY. Co-Requisite: MDE 107 or MMI 107 and Requisite: Frost School of Music ONLY.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MDE 141. Experiential Musicianship II. 3 Credit Hours.

MDE 141 is the second in a two-course sequence in music theory and musicianship for the Contemporary Music Student. As with MDE 140, the course emphasizes analytical skills and the connections between analysis and other musical experiences in listening and performance.
Pre-requisite: MDE 140 OR MMI 140 AND Co-requisite: MDE 108 OR MMI 108.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MDE 149. The American Music Ensemble. 2 Credit Hours.

In this course, students will focus the majority of their efforts on learning original repertoire composed by the dedicated songwriters of the ensemble. In the spring semester all members of the ensemble will receive an opportunity to have their songs played by the ensemble and, perhaps, performed in one of the scheduled performances. Development of the student’s musicianship will play the most essential role in the majority of meetings as well as learning how to effectively run rehearsals while building band chemistry and confidence. Additional performance opportunities may present themselves throughout the calendar year and will be discussed as soon as they are offered. The expected outcome is for members of AME to become the recording and performance leaders of the music industry. AME is a year-long ensemble. It is expected that students who are selected to AME will be able to attend all rehearsals and performances.
Requisite: Sophomores or Juniors or Seniors only.
Components: ENS.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MDE 15. MADE Forum. 1 Credit Hour.

The course provides a weekly forum for sharing information about issues, current developments, and other matters related to the contemporary music industry as a field of study and as a profession. The course is required for all undergraduate MADE majors during each semester.
Requisite: Must have a Plan of MADE.
Components: FOR.
Grading: CNC.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MDE 207. Skills Lab III: American Song Traditions. 1 Credit Hour.

A learning ensemble focusing on the various Anglo-American song traditions from English and Irish folk ballads, through Hymnodies, Old-Time, Bluegrass, Western Swing and Newgrass.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MDE 208. Skills Lab IV: American Song Traditions. 1 Credit Hour.

A learning ensemble focusing on the various African-American song traditions from early plantation songs, shouts, hollers, and spirituals, to the development of blues traditions, to gospel.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MDE 240. Experiential Musicianship III. 3 Credit Hours.

The study of melodic, harmonic and rhythmic language in jazz and contemporary music using analysis and aural dictation. MDE 207 Skills Lab III, keyboard lab accompanies this course.
Corequisite: MDE 207 or MMI 207 SKILLS LAB III.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MDE 241. Experiential Musicianship IV. 3 Credit Hours.

The continuation of MDE 240 focused on the study of the diminished chord, extensions, modes and upper structure triads. A keyboard lab accompanies this course.
Corequisite: MDE 208 or MMI 208 SKILLS LAB IV.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MDE 307. Skills Lab V: American Pop. 1 Credit Hour.

A learning ensemble focusing on American Popular Music from the late-1950s to t he late-1970s. Students will develop a portfolio of original songs in modern A merican styles.
Components: ENS.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

MDE 308. Skills Lab VI: American Pop. 1 Credit Hour.

A learning ensemble focusing on American Popular Music from the 1980s to the pr esent. Students will develop a portfolio of original songs in modern American styles.
Components: ENS.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MDE 315. Contemporary Songwriting I. 3 Credit Hours.

Explores modern songwriting techniques, song lyric theory, song form, melodic development, pop harmony and rhythm & grooves. Students will analyze a variety of recordings by top modern songwriters. Students will compose and record a number of original songs for the course.
Requisite: Frost School of Music only.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MDE 320. Contemporary Lyric Writing. 3 Credit Hours.

This course explores modern lyric writing techniques, song lyric theory, and so ng form. Students will analyze a variety of lyrics by tob modern songwriters, focusing on their use of literary devices, imagery and metaphors. Students wil l compose a number of original lyrics for the course.
Requisite: Frost School of Music only.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MDE 404. Live Performance Musical Direction. 3 Credit Hours.

Project-based practicum course in collaboration with other Performance departme nt, designed to provide students the opportunity to prepare music for a live concert and serve as Musical Director (MD) threof. Particular emphasis is placed on musical material (repertoire, arrangements, score/parts preparation), rehearsal techniques, and real-time/live performance direction/conducting.
Senior level/ MADE_BM majors only.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MDE 445. Senior Project/Portfolio. 1 Credit Hour.

This course is the capstone of the MADE major and the Creative American Music Program. Students will develop a portfolio of recordings of original songs. Students will also be required a public performance of their original songs.
Requisite: MADE majors or CAM minors AND senior standing.
Components: THI.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MDE 493. Special Projects in Modern Artist Dev & Entrepreneurship. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Advanced individual instruction pertaining to faculty member’s area expertise and student’s area of interest. This course includes a culminating project.
Requisite: Frost School of Music only.
Components: IND.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.

MDE 494. Special Topics in Modern Artist Dev & Entrepreneurship. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Advanced group/classroom instruction pertaining to faculty member’s expertise and students’ areas of interest.
Components: SEM.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

MDE 530. Entrepreneurship for Musicians. 3 Credit Hours.

Course explores a wide range of options for musicians who want to pursue music business careers in their regional music markets. Students examine opportunities in performance, recording, composition, education, and more. Emphasis is placed on the packaging of musical skills in the marketplace and on the financial management of a small proprietary music business. As a result, the student musician will be prepared to make career decisions with foresight and planning.
Requisite: Frost School of Music only.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

MDE 593. Special Projects in Modern Artist Dev & Entrepreneurship. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Advanced individual instruction pertaining to faculty member’s area expertise and student’s area of interest. This course includes a culminating project.
Requisite: Frost School of Music only.
Components: IND.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.

MDE 594. Special Topics in Modern Artist Dev & Entrepreneurship. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Advanced group/classroom instruction pertaining to faculty member’s expertise and students’ areas of interest.
Components: SEM.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

MDE 630. Entrepreneurship for Musicians. 3 Credit Hours.

Course explores a wide range of options for musicians who want to pursue music business careers in their regional music markets. Students examine opportunities in performance, recording, composition, education, and more. Emphasis is placed on the packaging of musical skills in the marketplace and on the financial management of a small proprietary music business. As a result, the student musician will be prepared to make career decisions with foresight and planning.
Requisite: Must have a Plan of MUEO_CMUB OR MIND_MA OR MINDO_MA OR JDMI_MA OR MLEM_MA or MLEMO_MA or JDML_MA OR MSPD_MM OR PMPDO_MA OR MSPDO_MM.
Components: DIL.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.

MDE 694. Special Topics in Modern Artist Dev & Entrepreneurship. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Advanced group/classroom instruction pertaining to faculty member’s expertise and students’ areas of interest.
Components: SEM.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

MDE 708. Popular Music Pedagogy and Administration. 3 Credit Hours.

This foundational course will introduce fundamentals of teaching music in secondary (middle and high school) and ternary (collegiate) levels. Focus will be on defining core educational concepts and terminologies; developing musical curricula across a variety of 21st century musical forms; engaging students through several instructional paradigms; provide practice presenting instruction with a variety of educational strategies.
Components: DIL.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Summer.

MDE 709. Popular Music Theory Pedagogy. 3 Credit Hours.

Popular Music Theory Pedagogy focuses heavily on aural recognition of the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic language of contemporary music using jazz and commercial theoretical analysis and aural dictation. The harmonic focus of this semester is on 7th chords, chord quality substitution and the use of non-diatonic chord tones when using the dominant chord. Progressions will become familiar (i.e. II-V-I, standard progressions and substitute harmonic options), as well as voicing structure and proper construction of basic contemporary pop/jazz chords. Melodic, harmonic and rhythmic skills will be developed through aural recognition, theoretical analysis and transcription. A keyboard lab will accompany this course where students will learn to play and understand the use of all material covered in the lecture meetings, as well as additional contemporary, jazz and traditional piano technique.
Components: DIL.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring & Summer.

MDE 711. Popular Music Methods. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides a foundation for students to gain experience and exposure to areas of contemporary education including contemporary instrumentation (keyboard, guitar, drums, and bass), contemporary vocal pedagogy, considerations for ensemble direction, and essential equipment and technology. Students will gain a familiarity to common terms, concepts and methods used in contemporary/commercial education.
Components: DIL.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Summer.

MDE 712. Introduction to Music Business for Artists. 3 Credit Hours.

Artists are not only creating their own music, but are often responsible for marketing, publishing, distribution, management, promotion and contract agreements to get it out to the world. In this course you will gain a broad understanding of the ever-expanding business of music. You will learn how these various segments operate and how developments in technology are opening new opportunities for artists to create revenue. This course provides knowledge, strategy and guidance to navigate the industry and achieve your goals.
Components: DIL.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring & Summer.

MDE 715. Contemporary Songwriting I. 3 Credit Hours.

Explores modern songwriting techniques, song lyric theory, song form, melodic development, pop harmony and rhythm and grooves. Students will analyze a variety of recordings by top modern songwriters. Students will compose and record a number of original songs for the course.
Requisite: Must be in the School of Graduate Music.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MDE 735. World of the Working Musician. 3 Credit Hours.

Building a career in the twenty-first century and beyond creates challenges both exciting and daunting. The purpose of this course is to provide grounding, critical information, as well as planning and vision for shaping the key components of launching and sustaining a career in the arts.
Requisite: Graduate Music Students Only.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.

MDE 739. Small Contemporary Ensemble. 1 Credit Hour.

A performing ensemble of student-generated contemporary musical repertoire.
Requisite: Must be in the School of Graduate Music.
Components: ENS.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MDE 793. Special Projects in Modern Artist Dev & Entrepreneurship. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Advanced individual instruction pertaining to faculty member’s area of expertise and student’s area of interest. This course includes a culminating project.
Components: IND.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

MDE 794. Special Topics in Modern Artist Dev & Entrepreneurship. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Advanced group/classroom instruction pertaining to faculty member’s expertise and students’ areas of interest.
Components: SEM.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

MDE 810. Capstone Project in Popular Music Pedagogy. 3 Credit Hours.

This final capstone project will be designed by the student in consultation with their instructor at the end of the successful completion, and passing, of all appropriate courses within the Popular Music Pedagogy degree. This project should further develop previously studied course materials and be appropriate toward the student’s intended professional goals. Examples of Capstone Projects may include, but are not limited to, creating curricula for popular music programs, classes, or ensembles, making a plan for specific outreach programs (extra-curricular, specialized populations, etc.), developing a web presence and marketing plan for one’s own artistic endeavors, or creating a business plan or education materials for private business ventures or studio lessons.
Requisite: Students must be enrolled in program plan: PMPDO_MA, and this must be their final course in the program.
Components: DIL.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.

MDE CX1. Contemporary Performance Instruction. 2 Credit Hours.

1-Hour Lesson for students enrolled for 2 credits, ½ hour lesson for students enrolled for 1 credit. Applied instrument/ voice instruction in contemporary, popular music performance. Freshman/Sophomore level.
Components: LSN.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MDE CX3. Contemporary Performance Instruction. 2 Credit Hours.

1-Hour Lesson for students enrolled for 2 credits, ½ hour lesson for students enrolled for 1 credit. Applied advanced instrument/ voice instruction in contemporary, popular music performance. Junior/Senior level.
Components: LSN.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

MDE CXS. Secondary Contemporary Performance Instruction. 1 Credit Hour.

Secondary lessons. Additional lessons on an instrument that is not a principal instrument of the student. No juries or auditions needed. Taken in addition to the required 2 credit lessons. Does not count towards required lessons. Must be approved by private instructor.
Requisite: Frost School of Music only.
Components: LSN.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.