06.02.08.01 MM – Major in Contemporary Media/Film Composition
Degree requirement checklist for MM in Contemporary Media/Film Composition
Prerequisites: Enrollment in an Eastman graduate program requires successful completion of an undergraduate degree at an accredited institution. Most successful applicants will have completed the bachelor of music degree, or the close equivalent of its core curriculum as part of another undergraduate degree program.
Upon entry to the program, master’s students take placement exams in music history, jazz theory, and functional piano. If remediation is required, the appropriate courses are taken, but their credit does not count towards the master’s degree program of study. The same is true of any English language instruction that is required.
Placement tests: Entering students will be given placement tests in the history of music, jazz theory, or traditional theory. Students with undergraduate jazz degrees take the JCM placement test; all others take the TH placement test. Those students with deficiencies in these disciplines will be required to complete Music History Review (MHS 119); Jazz Theory and Ear Training, (JCM 119); or Theory/Analysis/Musicianship Review I and II (TH 117-118). These credits are not included in the required credits for the degree.
Residency: At least one year of full-time study is required. See section 05.01 (Residency) for more information.
| Courses | Credits |
| JCM 475 (Writing Projects: Contemporary Media)– 2 semesters @ 3 credits each | 6 |
| JCM 476 (Writing Projects: Contemporary Media)– 2 semesters @ 3 credits each | 6 |
| JCM 433-434 (Film Scoring Techniques I and II) – 1 semester each @ 2 credits each | 4 |
| JCM 435 (Arranging for the Recording Studio) | 2 |
| JCM 454 (Contemporary Styles Composition) | 2 |
| JCM 455 (Composing for Digital Media) | 2 |
| ENS 400 or 400J (Graduate Ensemble) | 2 |
| MHS 416 (History and Analysis of Film Music) | 2 |
| JCM 436 (Video Game Scoring) | 2 |
| JCM 491-492 (Jazz Forum) 4 semesters | 0 |
| AME 460 – 4611 (Digital Programs and Programming I and II) – 1 semester each @ 2 credits each | 4 |
| CND 411 (Basic Conducting) | 2 |
| Electives2 | 2 |
| ESM 4023 (Recital): The recital represents work the student and his or her major applied music teacher have done together through registrations for study both before and concurrent with the time of the recital presentation. | 0 |
| JCM 4564 (Advanced Performance Projects-Contemporary Media) | 0 |
| Remedial courses – Please refer to 05.03 Orientation, Placement Examinations, and Remediation. | – |
| Total Credits | 36 |
- Audio and Music Engineering courses (AME) are offered through the River Campus at the University of Rochester.
- The student, in consultation with the advisor, will choose 2 additional hours of coursework depending on his/her background, needs, and interests. At least 2 hours of elective coursework must be from outside the JCM department. Elective courses must be numbered 200 or higher. Arts Leadership (ALC) courses do not count for elective credit. Neither primary nor secondary lessons maybe used as elective credit. Electives may include courses in music theory, composition, arranging, or other topics, as determined in consultation with the advisor.
- Normally two years will be needed to complete the coursework. Candidates will take a jury (jazz) during the first graduate year. The graduation recital in the spring semester of the second year will include performance of written and improvised music that is determined by the student under the guidance of JCM faculty.
- Recognizing that jazz musicians, in particular, must be entrepreneurial, the candidate will complete a contemporary media project that in the end will result in a CD, video, website, CD ROM or some other media related product that demonstrates the student’s talents and abilities, and could serve to help launch his/her career.
