Overview

In the Media Scoring and Production program, we are dedicated to not only providing the foundational skills necessary for the student to pursue a career in the media industry, but also to stimulate and encourage student awareness of their unique gifts as a creative musician.  We accomplish this by promoting critical analysis and creative problem-solving skills throughout the program.  Courses are designed to provide students with a cohesive program of study that incorporates both current and foreseeable trends – from the manipulation of sound through a digital audio workstation (DAW), the hybrid use of acoustic and electronic instruments, to the implementation and use of sound libraries and synthesizers that will best prepare students for competition in today’s industry. For more information, please visit the website for the Media Scoring and Production Program.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must be in-progress toward completing or have earned the appropriate prior music degree(s) from a regionally accredited institution in order to apply for a graduate level music program. If you are accepted and decide to attend the Frost School, you will be required to provide a final transcript showing a conferred degree.

For the MM in Media Scoring and Production, A Bachelor of Music is preferred. Other degrees and majors will also be considered, based on faculty evaluation of the required portfolio and prior relevant experience, as well as college transcripts, and interview discussion of their musical background and proficiency.

On-Campus Programs

All applicants to the Frost School must submit the following items:

·       An online application

·       Application fee

·       Resume

·       Three letters of recommendation

·       Official transcripts from every post-secondary school attended

This graduate degree program also requires submission of certain supplemental materials, including:

·       Portfolio

·       TOEFL/IELTS score, as applicable

For more detailed information, please visit our Graduate Admission website.

Curriculum Requirements

Major Area
MDE 630Entrepreneurship for Musicians3
MSP 805Master's Media Scoring and Production Project3
Choose 15 credits from either or both Emphases15
Media Scoring Emphasis
Virtual Orchestration
Media Scoring 1: Film Scoring Foundations
Media Scoring 2: Film Scoring Extensions
Video Game Scoring
Advanced Orchestration
Production Emphasis
Synthestration
Production 1: Recording and Production Techniques
Production 2: Audio FX Processing and Multitrack Mixing
Production 3: Advanced Production Seminar
Digital Audio and MIDI Production
Three Advisor-Approved Electives, at the 600/700 level9
Graduate Music Course and/or Approved Electives
Total Credit Hours30

Sample Plan of Study

Media Emphasis

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
MSP 761 Media Scoring 1: Film Scoring Foundations 3
MSP 760 Virtual Orchestration 3
Advisor Approved Elective 3
 Credit Hours9
Spring
MSP 762 Media Scoring 2: Film Scoring Extensions 3
MDE 630 Entrepreneurship for Musicians 3
Advisor Approved Elective 3
 Credit Hours9
Year Two
Fall
MSP 763 Video Game Scoring 3
MSP 760 Virtual Orchestration 3
Advisor Approved Elective 3
 Credit Hours9
Spring
MSP 805 Master's Media Scoring and Production Project 3
 Credit Hours3
 Total Credit Hours30

* This is a suggested Plan of Study.  Your actual course sequence may vary depending on your previous academic experience as well as current course offerings.  Students should meet with their academic advisor each semester to determine the appropriate course selection.

Sample Plan of Study

Production Emphasis

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
Advisor Approved Elective 3
MSP 771 Production 1: Recording and Production Techniques 3
MSP 759 Digital Audio and MIDI Production 3
 Credit Hours9
Spring
MSP 772 Production 2: Audio FX Processing and Multitrack Mixing 3
MSP 770 Synthestration 3
MDE 630 Entrepreneurship for Musicians 3
 Credit Hours9
Year Two
Fall
MSP 773 Production 3: Advanced Production Seminar 3
Advisor Approved Elective 3
Advisor Approved Elective 3
 Credit Hours9
Spring
MSP 805 Master's Media Scoring and Production Project 3
 Credit Hours3
 Total Credit Hours30

*This is a suggested Plan of Study.  Your actual course sequence may vary depending on your previous academic experience as well as current course offerings.  Students should meet with their academic advisor each semester to determine the appropriate course selection.

Mission

The mission of the Media Scoring and Production Master of Music degree program is to prepare students for diverse careers in media scoring and music production through comprehensive and advanced training in composition, arrangement, and production. The program focuses on providing students with the technical skills and creative expertise necessary to excel as leaders in the industry.

Goals

The program emphasizes the following objectives:

  •  Students will graduate in a timely manner from the program.
  • Students will be highly satisfied with their understanding of craft of creating music for media.
  • Students will be prepared to find success in the media industry.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • The student will develop and defend a portfolio of musical works and compose a detailed narrative of their process, demonstrating advanced competencies as a composer, arranger and producer of music commensurate with current contemporary/commercial music professionals.
  • The student will demonstrate the ability to compose, arrange and produce of music for visual media in both virtual and acoustic formats, and prepare all deliverables including digital assets, music preparation including score layout and final mixes conforming to delivery requirements commonly required in the contemporary/commercial music industry.
  • The student will develop the ability to analyze and identify sonic problems encountered during the production of contemporary/commercial music. The student will demonstrate the skills necessary to execute viable solutions through advanced competencies in Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) techniques, including editing, signal processing and mixing.