DIPLOMA OF COMPOSITION FOR FILM & TV
Course Outlet
The Diploma in Music Composition for Film & TV is an advanced programme designed for the serious music composer interested in writing music for Film and TV. The course will be taught by leading professors and practitioners in the industry for real world authenticity. It is also aligned with the most current practices in curriculum development and instructional design for online learning.
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Understand and apply composition techniques for Film & TV music.
- Apply music technology skills during the process of composition.
- Create a portfolio of music scored for Film & TV.
| Level |
|
| Method | Blended or E-learning |
| Assessment Methods | Coursework and Quizzes | Assignment | Exam (Practical and Paper-based) |
| Maximum Duration | 16 months | No refund for failure to complete course |
Music Performance Skills
- Performance Studies (Selective Options – Keyboard Skills, Guitar, Drum, Bass)
Weekly lessons on choice of instrument delivered in asynchronous and synchronous blended learning design model through group classes, masterclasses, and webinars. - Performance Style & Music Appreciation
Students will gain an analytical overview of styles, chart reading and critical listening as they relate to repertoire requirements. Some of the styles covered include rock, rhythm & blues, jazz, and Latin music.
Music Skills and Technology
- Music Theory
- Tonal Theory
This module aims to provide students with the knowledge of fundamental tonal music theories and principles. These include melody writing, transposition and 4-part harmony. These are the building blocks for more advanced composition and arranging modules. - Contemporary Theory
This module aims to arm the student with basic harmonic techniques to be able to recognise, identify and create chord progressions. The aim is to foster a creative approach for student’s own compositions, improvisations, and other musical endeavours.
- Tonal Theory
- Aural
- Tonal Solfege
This module is a key foundation to understanding basic aural and sight singing theory such as recognition of pulse, pitch, rhythms, and melody. Students will gain confidence in understanding and interacting musically in a live band. - Contemporary Ear Training
This module takes the fundamentals of traditional solfege and incorporates a contemporary approach. Students will be exposed to chord progressions, extended characteristically modern rhythms such as funk and jazz, among others.
- Tonal Solfege
- Sibelius Notation
Students will learn to use Sibelius notation software effectively to create professional looking lead sheets, master rhythm scores and individual parts. - DAW (Selective Options)
- Tonal Solfege
This module is a key foundation to understanding basic aural and sight singing theory such as recognition of pulse, pitch, rhythms, and melody. Students will gain confidence in understanding and interacting musically in a live band. - Logic Fundamentals
Logic is one of the most utilized recording software in the world. Getting started on it can be a daunting task. But this course will help the student with the ins and outs of how to use it. - Cubase Fundamentals
In this course, students will be guided on how to use Cubase Fundamentals (X) for recording, performing, mixing, and producing music.
- Tonal Solfege
Specialisation
- Scoring for Film and TV I, II, III
Understanding how the elements of music theory and creativity meet is the reason we study music. This course will show you concepts and essential skills to get you composing your own music.
Students will also learn more advanced compositional and orchestration techniques, and apply their acquired knowledge in writing for different themes and styles.
Optional
- Music History
- Mozart to Beethoven
This module explores Western music from both the Classical and Romantic, covering the musical styles from the Classical period through the 20th century including cultural contextsand social meaning. - The Birth of Jazz & Popular Music
This module explores jazz music from its beginnings as a worksong up till modern interpretations in the form of Avant Garde and free jazz. It also explores pop music as an entity in the latter half of the twentieth century. First learning about Western popular music, students will thereafter be able to draw links as to how it continues to influence popular music in the Asia-Pacific region.
There will be a focus on listening and appreciation such that the students glean an understanding into its context as a precursor to popular music.
- Mozart to Beethoven
- Global Experience Workshop (GEX)
A collection of intensive workshops conducted by both lecturer & visiting artist/producer/engineer simulating live and real practical experience. This is for the purpose of enhancing learning and comprehension of the real world of the music industry. These workshops are conducted either in the academy or a real working environment in a local/international setting. Students will work in groups in three different themes of workshops such as LIVE (Performance based), FAME (Artistic Development based), and STAR (Music Production based).
Course Information
Music Creative Industries Studies are advanced educational programs designed for students who have completed a Music Foundation Programme or have equivalent industry experience. These programs are aimed at providing students with the specialized knowledge and practical skills necessary to excel in the dynamic and competitive creative music industry.
At Level 4, students delve deeper into the theoretical and practical aspects of music, honing their skills and developing their own unique style and creative vision. The program is focused on enhancing students’ proficiency in a variety of areas, including composition, music production, sound design, and performance, among others. Through a combination of lectures, workshops, and practical projects, students gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the music industry, exploring the various roles and responsibilities of professionals in the field.
Level 5 Music Creative Industries Studies build on the knowledge and skills acquired at Level 4, taking students to the next level of expertise. Students engage in advanced music composition, production, and performance, focusing on developing their own unique style and voice. The program emphasizes the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, allowing students to navigate the complex and constantly evolving music industry with confidence and ease.
Students at Level 5 also have the opportunity to specialize in a specific area of music, such as film and television scoring, music technology, or sound engineering. This specialization allows students to gain a deeper understanding of a particular aspect of the music industry, making them more marketable and competitive in their chosen field.
Overall, Level 4 and 5 Music Creative Industries Studies provide students with a comprehensive and advanced education in the music industry, preparing them for successful careers as professional musicians, composers, producers, and sound engineers. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills and industry experience, these programs provide students with a well-rounded and invaluable education that sets them apart in the competitive world of music.
Admission Requirements
GCE ‘N’ Level/Grade 10 or Equivalent
MIN 16 YEARS @START OF TERM
Music | English requirements
Assessment by Audition & Interview
C6@GCE ‘O’| IELTS 5.5 | TOEFL 46 | DUOLINGO 85 | Equivalent.
Course Intake | Duration
SPRING | SUMMER | FALL
8 months, 24 teaching weeks
S$12500
Audition & Interview
2 Pieces of Music in contrasting style. 10 Mins
15 Mins Interview
Course Mode
Full-Time
Learning Methods
Delivery modes:
Hitmaker Programmes are conducted and delivered using the hybrid model of both online and blended learning approaches. The method allows students to learn flexibly with non-practical modules delivered online.
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- Online/Blended Learning; or
- On-campus
Workshops
Hitmaker conducts online or on-campus Global Experience Workshops featuring the REAL industry practical experience.
Assessments
Depending on the modules, assessment/examination may vary in way of:
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- Course Assignment – Student is required to complete and submit instructions in the form of a written assignment
- Practical Examination – Student is assessed (especially music performance) in the form of live performance judging
- Application/Computer-based Examination
- Workshop Assignments – Student is assessed in a group context and normally given a set of tasks to complete
- Paper-based Examination
Teacher-student Ratio
The teacher to student ratio shall depend on factors such as:
1. The nature of the course/module:
-
-
- Private Instructions | 1:1
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2. The size of the premises:
-
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- Ensemble | 1:10
- Tutorial | 1: 8
- Music Production | 1:5
- Instrumentals | 1:5
- Lecture | 1:25
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Covid Advisory – Due to the restrictions, class size is kept to the limitation of 1 – 2 metres distancing measures. Student shall expect a smaller class sizes or smaller cohort sizes.
Course Fees
| Full Fees | JAC Funding |
| S$12,500.00 | S$10,500.00 |
JAC Foundation Scholarship subsidises course fees for students, enabling them to fulfil their full potential. It also sponsors and supports costs for programmes and musical instruments. Eligible students will be given JAC Foundation Scholarship forms along with their Letters of Offer.
Application & Audition Fees
1. Pre-enrollment fees
| Application fee | S$50.00 |
| Audition fee(If applicable) | S$150.00 |
2. Enrollment fees
| Registration fee | S$300.00 |
| Study Resources & Facility | S$1,000.00 |
Assessments
The Foundation Diploma comprises of a combination of multiple assessment methods depending on the design and nature of the course. Our programme emphasises a substantial amount of practical based elements that would require a combination of different assessment methods:
- Practical / Live Performance Exam
- Written Exam
- Written and Practical Assignments
- Workshop Assignments
- Project Assignments
- Examinations & Assignments: 60%
- Workshop Assignment: 20%
- Participation: 10%
- Ethics: 10%
- High Distinction (HD) – 90 Marks and Above
- Distinction (D) – 75 to 89
- Credit (C) – 60 to 74
- Pass (P) – 50 to 59
- Fail (F) – 49 Marks and below
EXPECTED EXAMINATION RESULTS RELEASE DATE | 1month after the examination
EXPECTED AWARD CONFERMENT DATE | within 1 month after successful completion of all modules
