Overview

The Bachelor of Music in Media Scoring and Production (MSP) is a program designed to provide the highest level of preparation for qualified composers and producers for media. Successful students will complete diverse writing (composing, scoring, producing) assignments, as well as develop technical and practical skills in the recording studio. In addition, students will increase their knowledge of current trends in the music industry. 

Prospective students should furnish evidence of outstanding writing and production creativity, as well as basic digital audio workstation (DAW) and music notation skills.

Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.70 to remain in the MSP Program.

Advanced Writing and Communication Skills

Courses

All students are required to successfully complete 3 Advanced Writing and Communication Skills (AWC) courses. Student degree requirements will include courses that meet the desired communication outcomes in evaluated and revised writing, speaking, stage presence, and audience engagement.
All music students will successfully complete:

1. MCY 141 Musical Trends and Traditions, which will include substantial evaluated and revised writing components (MSP Majors will take this or another equivalent course depending on their area of emphasis)

2. MCY XXX (200 level or higher), which will include discipline specific communication skills.

3. MSP 445 Senior Project/Portfolio/Business Plan, This course is the capstone for both the MSP programs.  Students will develop and compile a portfolio of creative works that showcase their individual artistry, including but not limited to recordings, videos, songs, scores, and/or other applicable media elements.  
 

Assessment

There will be at least 2 specific assessments in each Advanced Communication Skills course for communications or writing equivalent to 4000 words, evaluated and revised.

Curriculum Requirements

General Education Requirements
Written Communication Skills:
WRS 105First-Year Writing I3
WRS 106First-Year Writing II3
or ENG 106 Writing About Literature and Culture
Quantitative Skills:
MTH 113Finite Mathematics3
Areas of Knowledge:
Arts & Humanities Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
People & Society Cognate9
STEM Cognate9
Additional Requirements
UMX 100The University of Miami Experience0
Advanced Writing and Communication Skills (3 courses) See details below
Experiential Music Curriculum Core Courses MSP 1
MSP 17Media Scoring and Production Forum8
MXX XX1 (Level 1)Principal Instrument/Voice Lesson & Studio Class (semester 1-4, 2 credit hours)8
MXX XX3 (Level 3)Principal Instrument/Voice Lesson & Studio Class (semesters 5-6, 2 credit hours)4
MTC 140Experiential Musicianship I3
or MSJ 140 Experiential Musicianship I
or MDE 140 Experiential Musicianship I
MTC 141Experiential Musicianship II3
or MSJ 141 Experiential Musicianship II
or MDE 141 Experiential Musicianship II
MTC 240Experiential Musicianship III3
or MSJ 240 Experiential Musicianship III
or MDE 240 Experiential Musicianship III
MTC 241Experiential Musicianship IV3
or MSJ 241 Experiential Musicianship IV
or MDE 241 Experiential Musicianship IV
MTC 107Skills Lab I (co-requisite MTC 140/MSJ 140/MDE 140)1
or MSJ 107 Skills Lab I
or MDE 107 Skills Lab I
MTC 108Skills Lab II (co-requisite MTC 141/MSJ 141/MDE 141)1
or MSJ 108 Skills Lab II
or MDE 108 Skills Lab II
MTC 207Skills Lab III (co-requisite MTC 240/MSJ 240/MDE 240)1
or MSJ 207 Skills Lab III
or MDE 207 Skills Lab III: American Song Traditions
MTC 208Skills Lab IV (co-requisite MTC 241/MSJ 241/MDE 241)1
or MSJ 208 Skills Lab IV
or MDE 208 Skills Lab IV: American Song Traditions
MKP 140Keyboard Studies I (or MSJ 103 if enrolled in MSJ theory)1
MKP 141Keyboard Studies II (or MSJ 104 if enrolled in MSJ theory)1
MCY 140Experiencing Music3
MCY 141European Musical Traditions (AWC)3
MIN 310Music Business and Entrepreneurship for Musicians3
MSP 259Digital Audio and MIDI Production3
Ensembles (semesters 1-6, 1 credit hour)6
Total credits for EMC Core courses = 56
Required Courses in the MSP Major
MSP 261Media Scoring I: Music for Media3
MSP 281Production I: Recording and Production Techniques3
MSP 445Senior Project/Portfolio1
MSP Electives (Must complete 4 courses from the primary area of emphasis and 1 course from the secondary area of emphasis)15
Media Writing Emphasis 2
Virtual Orchestration
Media Scoring II: Video Game Scoring
Media Scoring III: Film Scoring Foundations
Media Scoring IV: Film Scoring Extensions
Production Emphasis
Synthestration
Production II: Audio Processing and Critical Listening
Production III: Audio Editing
Production IV : Mixing and Mastering
Additional Electives
MCY XXX Elective at the 200 level or above (AWC)3
MXX Approved Orchestration or Arranging Elective 3
MXX Approved Music Elective at the 300 level or above3
MXX Approved Music Electives or MTC Minor 215
Total credits for courses in the major = 48
Total Credit Hours129
1

EMC core courses require a grade of “C” or higher.  Lessons require a grade of "B" or higher.

2

MSP majors with a Media Writing emphasis are strongly encouraged to add a minor in Music Composition with the approval of the MTC Department Chair: http://bulletin.miami.edu/undergraduate-academic-programs/music/music-theory-composition/music-composition-minor/

*Students who wish to pursue a minor in Music Composition must declare their intentions before the first semester. Students must follow the specific plan of study provided for MSPD majors with Composition minor to ensure degree completion, and should consult with their academic advisor before beginning coursework.


Suggested Plan of Study: MSP Major (Media Scoring Emphasis)

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
Ensemble 1
MTC 140, MSJ 140,
Experiential Musicianship I
or Experiential Musicianship I
or Experiential Musicianship I
3
MTC 107, MSJ 107,
Skills Lab I
or Skills Lab I
or Skills Lab I
1
MKP 140 or MSJ 103 Keyboard Studies I
or Jazz Piano I
1
MCY 140 Experiencing Music 3
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
UMX 100 The University of Miami Experience 0
 Credit Hours15
Spring
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
Ensemble 1
MTC 141, MSJ 141,
Experiential Musicianship II
or Experiential Musicianship II
or Experiential Musicianship II
3
MTC 108, MSJ 108,
Skills Lab II
or Skills Lab II
or Skills Lab II
1
MKP 141 or MSJ 104 Keyboard Studies II
or Jazz Piano II
1
MSP 259 Digital Audio and MIDI Production 3
WRS 106 or ENG 106 First-Year Writing II
or Writing About Literature and Culture
3
MTH 113 Finite Mathematics 3
 Credit Hours18
Year Two
Fall
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
Ensemble 1
MTC 240, MSJ 240,
Experiential Musicianship III
or Experiential Musicianship III
or Experiential Musicianship III
3
MTC 207, MSJ 207,
Skills Lab III
or Skills Lab III
or Skills Lab III: American Song Traditions
1
MSP 281 Production I: Recording and Production Techniques 3
People and Society Cognate 3
STEM Cognate 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
Ensemble 1
MTC 241, MSJ 241,
Experiential Musicianship IV
or Experiential Musicianship IV
or Experiential Musicianship IV
3
MTC 208, MSJ 208,
Skills Lab IV
or Skills Lab IV
or Skills Lab IV: American Song Traditions
1
MCY 141 European Musical Traditions 3
Approved Arranging or Orchestration Elective 3
People and Society Cognate 3
 Credit Hours17
Year Three
Fall
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
Ensemble 1
MSP 260 Virtual Orchestration 3
MSP 261 Media Scoring I: Music for Media 3
STEM Cognate 3
Secondary emphasis track course (Production) 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
Ensemble 1
MSP 262 Media Scoring II: Video Game Scoring 3
MCY Elective at the 200 level or above (AWC) 3
People & Society Cognate 3
Approved Music Elective or minor 3
 Credit Hours16
Year Four
Fall
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
MSP 363 Media Scoring III: Film Scoring Foundations 3
MTC or MSJ Elective at the 300 level or above 3
Approved Music Elective or minor 3
Approved Music Elective or minor 3
STEM Cognate 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
MIN 310 Music Business and Entrepreneurship for Musicians 3
MSP 364 Media Scoring IV: Film Scoring Extensions 3
Approved Music Elective or minor 3
Approved Music Elective or minor 3
MSP 445 Senior Project/Portfolio 1
 Credit Hours14
 Total Credit Hours129

 Suggested Plan of Study: MSP Major (Production Emphasis)

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
Ensemble 1
MTC 140, MSJ 140,
Experiential Musicianship I
or Experiential Musicianship I
or Experiential Musicianship I
3
MTC 107, MSJ 107,
Skills Lab I
or Skills Lab I
or Skills Lab I
1
MKP 140 or MSJ 103 Keyboard Studies I
or Jazz Piano I
1
MCY 140 Experiencing Music 3
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
UMX 100 The University of Miami Experience 0
 Credit Hours15
Spring
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
Ensemble 1
MTC 141, MSJ 141,
Experiential Musicianship II
or Experiential Musicianship II
or Experiential Musicianship II
3
MTC 108, MSJ 108,
Skills Lab II
or Skills Lab II
or Skills Lab II
1
MKP 141 or MSJ 104 Keyboard Studies II
or Jazz Piano II
1
MSP 259 Digital Audio and MIDI Production 3
WRS 106 or ENG 106 First-Year Writing II
or Writing About Literature and Culture
3
MTH 113 Finite Mathematics 3
 Credit Hours18
Year Two
Fall
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
Ensemble 1
MTC 240, MSJ 240,
Experiential Musicianship III
or Experiential Musicianship III
or Experiential Musicianship III
3
MTC 207, MSJ 207,
Skills Lab III
or Skills Lab III
or Skills Lab III: American Song Traditions
1
MSP 281 Production I: Recording and Production Techniques 3
People and Society Cognate 3
STEM Cognate 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
Ensemble 1
MTC 241, MSJ 241,
Experiential Musicianship IV
or Experiential Musicianship IV
or Experiential Musicianship IV
3
MTC 208, MSJ 208,
Skills Lab IV
or Skills Lab IV
or Skills Lab IV: American Song Traditions
1
MCY 141 European Musical Traditions 3
MXX Approved Arranging or Orchestration Elective 3
People and Society Cognate 3
 Credit Hours17
Year Three
Fall
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
Ensemble 1
MSP 261 Media Scoring I: Music for Media 3
MSP 280 Synthestration 3
Secondary emphasis track course (Media Writing) 3
STEM Cognate 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
Ensemble 1
MSP 282 Production II: Audio Processing and Critical Listening 3
MCY Elective at the 200 level or above (AWC) 3
People & Society Cognate 3
Approved Music Elective or minor 3
 Credit Hours16
Year Four
Fall
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
MSP 383 Production III: Audio Editing 3
MTC or MSJ Elective at the 300 level or above 3
Approved Music Elective or minor 3
Approved Music Elective or minor 3
STEM Cognate 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
MIN 310 Music Business and Entrepreneurship for Musicians 3
MSP 384 Production IV : Mixing and Mastering 3
Approved Music Elective or minor 3
Approved Music Elective or minor 3
MSP 445 Senior Project/Portfolio 1
 Credit Hours14
 Total Credit Hours129

Suggested Plan of Study: MSP Major (Media Scoring Emphasis), w minor in Music Composition

*

MSP majors with a Media Scoring emphasis are strongly encouraged to add a minor in Music Composition with the approval of the MTC Department Chair: http://bulletin.miami.edu/undergraduate-academic-programs/music/music-theory-composition/music-composition-minor/

*Students who wish to pursue a minor in Music Composition must declare their intentions before the first semester. Students must follow the specific plan of study provided for MSPD majors with Composition minor to ensure degree completion, and should consult with their academic advisor before beginning coursework.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
Ensemble 1
MTC 140, MSJ 140,
Experiential Musicianship I
or Experiential Musicianship I
or Experiential Musicianship I
3
MTC 107, MSJ 107,
Skills Lab I
or Skills Lab I
or Skills Lab I
1
MKP 140 or MSJ 103 Keyboard Studies I
or Jazz Piano I
1
MCY 140 Experiencing Music 3
MTC 101 Composition I 2
MTC 182 Composition Workshop (1 of 4) 1
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
UMX 100 The University of Miami Experience 0
 Credit Hours18
Spring
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
Ensemble 1
MTC 141, MSJ 141,
Experiential Musicianship II
or Experiential Musicianship II
or Experiential Musicianship II
3
MTC 108, MSJ 108,
Skills Lab II
or Skills Lab II
or Skills Lab II
1
MKP 141 or MSJ 104 Keyboard Studies II
or Jazz Piano II
1
MTC 102 Composition II 2
MTC 182 Composition Workshop (2 of 4) 1
MSP 259 Digital Audio and MIDI Production 3
WRS 106 or ENG 106 First-Year Writing II
or Writing About Literature and Culture
3
 Credit Hours18
Year Two
Fall
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
Ensemble 1
MTC 240, MSJ 240,
Experiential Musicianship III
or Experiential Musicianship III
or Experiential Musicianship III
3
MTC 207, MSJ 207,
Skills Lab III
or Skills Lab III
or Skills Lab III: American Song Traditions
1
MTC 201 Composition III 2
MTC 182 Composition Workshop (3 of 4) 1
MSP 281 Production I: Recording and Production Techniques 3
STEM Cognate 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
Ensemble 1
MTC 241, MSJ 241,
Experiential Musicianship IV
or Experiential Musicianship IV
or Experiential Musicianship IV
3
MTC 208, MSJ 208,
Skills Lab IV
or Skills Lab IV
or Skills Lab IV: American Song Traditions
1
MCY 141 European Musical Traditions 3
Secondary emphasis track course (Production) 3
MTC 202 Composition IV 2
MTC 182 Composition Workshop (4 of 4) 1
 Credit Hours17
Year Three
Fall
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
Ensemble 1
MSP 260 Virtual Orchestration 3
MSP 261 Media Scoring I: Music for Media 3
MTH 113 Finite Mathematics 3
STEM Cognate 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
Principal Instrument/ Voice Lesson & Studio Class 2
Ensemble 1
MSP 262 Media Scoring II: Video Game Scoring 3
MTC 312, 416,
20th and 21st Century Techniques
or Orchestration
or Advanced Orchestration
3
People & Society Cognate 3
Orchestration or Arranging Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Year Four
Fall
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
MSP 363 Media Scoring III: Film Scoring Foundations 3
MTC or MSJ Elective at the 300 level or above 3
STEM Cognate 3
People and Society Cognate 3
 Credit Hours13
Spring
MSP 17 Media Scoring and Production Forum 1
MIN 310 Music Business and Entrepreneurship for Musicians 3
MSP 364 Media Scoring IV: Film Scoring Extensions 3
People and Society Cognate 3
Musicology Elective (200+) 3
MSP 445 Senior Project/Portfolio 1
 Credit Hours14
 Total Credit Hours129

Mission

The Media Scoring & Production (MSP) degree program is designed to prepare undergraduate students for the many issues facing today’s commercial music writers and producers. In this specialized program, successful students complete diverse compositional assignments, develop technical and practical skills in the recording studio, and acquire an understanding of the music industry.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate the ability to plan, prepare, produce, and execute original contemporary commercial music and arrangements.
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to compose, score, orchestrate, record, and edit, original music for visual media such as film, video, and games.
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to produce, record, edit, and prepare for distribution original contemporary/commercial music and arrangements.
  • Students, in conjunction with an advisor, will construct a plan to complete an area of emphasis in either Media Writing or Production.