Music Theory and Technology

The Music Technology Certificate of Achievement is designed for students seeking a career as a professional musician. It will better prepare a student to secure a job in the music industry by building skills related to music technology. After successfully completing this certificate a student could be hired as a composer, recording artist, music production assistant, assistant audio engineer, audio technician, assistant music supervisor, or artists & repertoire (A&R) assistant.

Time to Complete: 1 year

 

Visit our Program Mapper to explore career options and industry statistics

If you are interested and want to join the MCMT community, apply to join the MCMT Certificate Program here. An MCMT team member will be in touch with you. 

If you have any questions about the program, feel free to email Prof. Nathan Bowen.

Visit our Program Mapper to explore career options and industry statistics

 

We believe in creative expression in a variety of genres and formats.  Though we have created performance opportunities as Student DJ Showcase and more recently in light of COVID-19, Stream Jams, the MCMT community is diverse, eclectic, and tremendously supportive of a variety of styles and methods of performance. 

Through the generous support of Associated Students of Moorpark College, this past year we have been able to create T-shirts for the shows, give away door prizes to students, and give top performers gear based on audience applause (doing it old school!).

Past Shows

 

Spring 2022 - Come Together

We returned to live in-person shows with our Come Together: Music Technology Showcase on April 15th & 16th 2022 in the black box theatre.

 

Fall 2021 - Stream Jam 7

 

Since COVID hit, Music Technology students innovated by moving their music concert format to streaming.  Our 7th show since we all went online involved DIY videos and sharing our music over Twitch.  

 

Spring 2021 - Stream Jams 5 & 6

 

On April 15th 2021 Moorpark College Music Technology (MCMT) and Performing Arts proudly presented our sixth streamed live concert on Twitch TV.  Featuring original student compositions, live electronic music performances, and DJ sets.

 

 

Fall 2020 - Stream Jam 4

 

Fall 2020 - Stream Jam 3

 

 

Spring 2020 - Stream Jam 2

 

The Stream Jam 2 raised funds for The Bail Project.  We urge you still to consider donating to this important cause.

Spring 2020 - Stream Jam 1

 

Read the article about the Stream Jam by David Chavez of the Moorpark Reporter.  

Spring 2020 - DJ Showcase

 

Read the article about the January 31st 2020 show by David Chavez of the Moorpark Reporter. 

Fall 2019 - DJ Showcase

Read the article about the Fall 2019 show by Emily Ledesma of the Moorpark Reporter.  Read her article leading up to the event.

Spring 2019 - DJ Showcase (our first!)

 

Read the article about our first Student DJ Showcase by Emily Ledesma of the Moorpark Reporter.

We love to get students into the industry.  Doing internships significantly increases employment opportunities and helps students develop relevant skills to get hired and gig.

We currently offer the following internships, but ask us about more opportunities as well!

 

Mt. Cross Camarillo - Live Audio Internship

learn live audio, running a mixing board, camera work, streaming live - mics, cables, signal flow and routing

 

New Hope Agoura - Live Audio Internship

(similar to Mt. Cross)

 

Video Game Composition Internship

Work with game design students to develop music and sound effects for video games

 

MCMT Concert Presenter Internship

Work to promote, organize, and put on our Music Tech Showcase!  Learn what it takes to put on a great show, and work behind-the-scenes.

 

Instagram/YouTube Content Creator

Do you watch youtube videos to learn music production?  Let's get you doing it yourself!  Generating your own content to share tips and tricks is a great way to immerse yourself with how to produce, and build your brand.  

See previous students' work on our Instagram, @mcmusictech

 

 

We have a vibrant community of students, alumni, and faculty who like to geek out about music technology, learning new tricks, and sharing music.  If you'd like to join our Discord, send an email to Prof. Bowen for an invite link.

Want to get work done using current software and hardware used by professionals in the music industry?  We proudly have the following resources:

30 computer + keyboard workstations

Each workstation is equipped with the following software:

• Ableton Live 11 Suite (all packs included)
• Logic Pro (all content downloaded)
• Albion ONE orchestral library by Spitfire
• Spitfire Orchestral Swarm
• Spitfire Solo Strings
• Spitfire LABS
• Finale v25
• MuseScore
• VCV Rack

Additional Hardware

• Launchpad Mini MK2 (20 of these for classroom use in HSS-104)
• Pioneer XDJ-RX2
• Ableton Push 2
• Behringer Neutron

Recording Studio 

Come book a recording session in the Communications Building - free studio space is hard to come by, but not for students in the MCMT Certificate Program and Applied Program!

This class serves a wide range of students, both declared music majors and non-majors.  This is a project-centric class, where students can create portfolio pieces by using digital audio workstations (DAWs) and notation software.  Students prepare for a variety of workplace scenarios by composing and arranging music for commercial settings, live performance, and interdisciplinary projects.  Topics for discussion include the history of music technology, aesthetics, ethics, authorship, plus an introduction to MIDI, hardware, and synthesis.

Software used: Logic Pro X, Finale, MuseScore, Ableton Live Suite, Reaper, VCV Rack

In this class we introduce techniques and elements of electronic music production. Includes topics such as synthesis, sampling, MIDI sequencing, with projects gradually aimed to move toward live performance. Requires the creation of compositions utilizing electronic music techniques.  In this course, students get a thorough exposure to the fundamental concepts of synthesis along with exposure to current trends in live electronic performance. 

We use Ableton Live as the software platform for this class.  

As our textbook, we utilize the free audit option for this Kadenze course to view videos.  We then do step-by-step technique demonstrations in lab time to put concepts into practice.

Introduces the study of the music industry. Emphasizes and examines the various areas of the music business, the functions of each area, and the relationships between areas. Includes the topics of music publishing; copyright and intellectual property; music licensing; unions and guilds; performance rights organizations; personal and business financial management; artists and management; and recording industry.  

Explores the process, skills, and techniques of songwriting. Analyzes the chord structure, form, rhythm, melody, harmony, and lyrics of various songs. Requires demonstration of understanding through composition and performance of original song.

Prerequisite: M02B/BL or tested equivalent

We offer four semesters of music theory, with a sequence designed to help students gain a deep understanding of what makes music so powerful and effective as an artistic medium.  Here students gain a strong foundation in harmony, voice leading, intervals, melodic and phrase structures, rhythm, form, and notation.  There is also a historical component to the curriculum, which aims to expose students to the Western tonal music tradition from the Common Practice Era through the 20th century. 

Students gain fluency in musicianship skills such as solfége, dictation, conducting, and a familiarity with the keyboard.  In partnership with EarMaster, students receive access to this excellent platform to enhance their musicianship learning.  The purpose is to gain a high literacy in these areas to be able to apply them in a wide variety of musical settings.