DIPLOMA OF SONGWRITING & MUSIC PRODUCTION

Course Outline

The Diploma in Songwriting and Music Production is an intensive programme designed for aspiring songwriters and music producers. Students will be taught the industry standard of songwriting and music production with a specialisation in either K-Pop or Pop music. This includes techniques of communicating musical ideas to listeners effectively for different musical genres and in various formats, across live settings, recorded demos or mastered productions. Students will also get insights into the art of creating their own voice and developing their identities as artists.

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

  • Use tools and techniques in songwriting and music production.
  • Identify types of accompaniment functions for supporting a lead vocal.
  • Produce a song within a specific genre, and/or combine genres.
  • Create and analyse different music arrangements for vocal leads.
  • Collaborate effectively with other artists and writers.
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.
  • 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.
Specialisation
  • Songwriting I, II, III
    Understanding how the elements of music theory and creativity meet.This course will show you concepts to get you started on composing your own music..You will be taught skills crucial to creating melody, harmony, and arranging as well as creative approaches to musical composition, lyric writing, and an individual writing style. You will learn what songwriting is all about and how to find your voice.
  • Music Production I, II, III
    Producing in the 21st century means understanding how modern technology is used as a tool to express yourself. This course is your guide to understanding what’s available and how a students can integrate it in their music creation.
    In today’s music industry, understanding how to use a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is very important. You will learn how to choose a DAW and navigate it for music production.
  • Elective Master Courses
    • K-POP Specialized Course
      This set of specially curated modules will show how some of the most popular K-POP songs evolved from a seed concept into its final form.
    • EDM Specialized Course
      This is a specialised analysis course of some of the most famous and successful songs in our time.
    • POP Specialised Course
      This is a specialised analysis course of some of the most famous and successful songs in our time.
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 contexts and 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 later 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.
  • 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).
  • Sibelius Notation
    Students will learn to use Sibelius notation software effectively to create professional looking lead sheets, master rhythm scores and individual parts.

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.

    • 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:

    1. Course Assignment – Student is required to complete and submit instructions in the form of a written assignment
    2. Practical Examination – Student is assessed (especially music performance) in the form of live performance judging
    3. Application/Computer-based Examination
    4. Workshop Assignments – Student is assessed in a group context and normally given a set of tasks to complete
    5. 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

2. The size of the premises:

      • Ensemble | 1:10
      • Tutorial | 1: 8
      • Music Production | 1:5
      • Instrumentals | 1:5
      • Lecture | 1:25

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
Programme 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

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