The Commercial Entertainment Program is unique in that students learn all aspects of the performance industry – commercial voice, dance, studio recording, songwriting, acting and stagecraft – in a concentrated amount of time. The department specializes in recording artist development, providing the aspiring country or pop artist with vocal, showcasing, recording, and songwriting skills.
CEN 101 - Dance Combination - Basic techniques of classical ballet, tap and jazz. Emphasis placed on fundamentals, alignment, integration, terminology, vocabulary, combinations, and style. Course may be repeated for a maximum of four credits.
CEN 102 - Dance Performance and Production Lab - A structured laboratory course giving credit to students for their experiences in the production areas and performance of dance as an art form. The course is fourfold in content, including auditions, rehearsals, performances, and all facets of production. All students in the course are provided the opportunity to be involved in a dance production in the capacities of auditions, performance and/or production each semester. Course may be repeated for a maximum of four credits.
CEN 107 - Ballet Technique - Basic techniques of classical ballet. Emphasis placed on fundamentals of alignment, integration, terminology, and simple ballet movement vocabulary. Course may be repeated for a maximum of four credits.
CEN 109 - Tap Technique - Basic technique of tap dance designed for the performing student. Fundamentals of body placement, terminology, tap combinations, elements of performance quality, and tap dance composition. Course may be repeated for a maximum of four credits.
CEN 111 - Jazz Technique - Introduction to jazz dance through a study of its vocabulary, style, and technique. Course may be repeated for a maximum of four credits.
CEN 125 - Principles and Techniques of Dance Performance - Study of principles and techniques of dance performance through practical application of performing skills. In-depth work in body awareness, development of mental discipline, and understanding the psychological aspects involved in nonverbal communication. Experience in working with a choreographer and performing in both laboratory and concert settings. One hour weekly lecture and movement plus a minimum of sixty clock hours in a movement laboratory. Course may be repeated for a maximum of four credits.
CEN 135 - Commercial Songwriting - The study and composition of song forms, lyrics, and musical styles, and their application to country, pop, and other trends in commercial music.
CEN 200 - Audition Techniques - A course designed to prepare students for competitive auditions. Topics include selection of songs and dances which will best showcase the student's individual talents, resume development, publicity photos, strategies, and job opportunities. Students will participate in auditions and will prepare a video audition tape suitable for submission to prospective employers.
CEN 203 - Choreography I - Rendering of movement improvisation, compositional elements, music, and production to achieve the total choreographic offering. Lectures and discussions on the creative process leading to the student's selection of thematic material for choreographic exploration and development.
CEN 204 - Choreography II - A continuation of CEN 203 with emphasis on form, content, music costumes and props. The student will develop an original group dance and execute plans for costumes, lighting, and makeup.
CEN 205 - Basic Construction/Stagecraft - Introduction to the principles and techniques of scenic construction required to build and install props, scenery and other physical supports for sets from blueprints, photographs, or drawings. Topics include tool use, material selection, appropriate construction techniques, site maintenance/restoration, safety and personal tool kits. The course emphases the skills required for collaborative efforts in set and prop construction and includes work assignments in a supervised environment outside of class to complement lectures. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate skills necessary to assist in constructing and painting sets and props.
CEN 207 - Entertainment Business - Survey of the business practices in the entertainment industry as they relate to employees. Topics include implications of different types of employment, making the deal and contracts, issues related to freelancing, self-marketing and working with agents. The course also explores the role of professional organizations, unions, and performing rights organizations and their influence on standard practices in the entertainment industry. Upon completion, students will be able to demonstrate a working vocabulary and knowledge of basic employee practices in the industry as they relate to the various crafts and venues.
CEN 209 - Dance Pedagogy - Principles and methods of the teaching of dance and the management of a dance studio. Teaching methods for diverse ages and skill levels are covered. Management topics include site selection, employee selection and supervision, performance rights organization and customer service.
CEN 216 - Professional Audition - Independent preparation and presentation of a professional audition to include solo vocal, dance and monologue presentations. Student will be responsible for all aspects of the audition. This course serves as a capstone experience for the Commercial Entertainment Program and should be taken in the final semester.
CEN 230 - Digital Video Editing - The study and practical application of editing music videos using Final Cut Pro for the songwriter, vocalist, and instrumentalist. Students should expect to spend at least two additional hours per week on team-based assignments.
CIS 263 - Web Page Development and Design - This course will cover the fundamental concepts of Web page design and creation, Web graphics, and how the Internet and World Wide Web works. Students will design and develop Web pages using Web page editing/publishing software and optimize images for Web pages. Basic Web pages containing scripts and simple Java applets will be created using Web page editing software.
MUS 1510 - Class Voice I - Small group instruction in basic vocal techniques of commercial music. These techniques include posture, breath control, tone quality and diction. Some music-reading skills expected. Course may be repeated for a maximum of two credits.
MUS 1520 - Class Voice II - Continuation of vocal techniques in Class Voice I, with additional study of vocal flexibility, uniform tone quality, repertoire, and extending the vocal range. Course may be repeated for a maximum of two credits.
MUS 1800 - Choral Lab - Ensemble performance of commercial selections. Practice in sight reading will be given. Actual performance presentations will be included in the course. Class meets 3 hours per week. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits.
MUS 1810 - Fundamentals of Music I - Provides the student with basic knowledge of notation, scales, keys, rhythm and intervals. Practice in sight singing, dictation and part-writing will be given.
MUS 1820 - Fundamentals of Music II - A continuation of Fundamentals of Music I. Triads and their inversion, voice leading, part writing and musical analysis will be studied along with further practice in sight singing and dictation.
MUS 1850 - Musical Keyboarding I - Acquaints beginning piano students with the keyboard. Includes such skills as note reading, basic chords for harmonization of melodies, improvisation and basic exercises for development of coordination and technique.
MUS 1860 - Musical Keyboarding II - A continuation of MUS 1850 with exercises for development of coordination and technique, transposition, repertory and sight reading.
MUS 2200 - History of Musical Theatre - A study of the history of style and techniques of dance for musical, comedy, opera, television, and stage plus choreography for these forms.
MUS 2330 - Intro. to MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) - Principles of electronic digital sound synthesis, programming the digital synthesizer, use of computer music program, electronic composition and contemporary trends in digital music.
MUS 2350 - Digital Audio Recording - This course is designed to further develop MIDI sequencing skills as well as introduce the concepts of digital audio recording. Development is encouraged in the qualities necessary to obtain professional work in the commercial music industry. Along with development, special attention is given to selecting material appropriate to the student’s skill level. Students should expect to spend at least two additional hours per week on team-based lab assignments.
MUS 2360 - Digital Music Production - The study and practical application of producing music compositions for the songwriter, vocalist, and instrumentalist. This course gives an overview of the pre-production, in-production, and post-production aspects of recording music and original material. Course topics include: demo budgeting for musicians, proper protocol for working with session musicians, digital audio mixing and mastering techniques, and conversion of audio files to multiple formats. Student should expect t o spend at least two additional hours per week on team-based lab assignments.
THEA 1020 - Acting - An introduction to basic acting techniques fundamental to performance in theatre and media. Emphasizes improvisation, scene study, script analysis, character study (introducing English, Stanislavskian and Brechtian technique) and the history of acting/performance art. Students engage in laboratory exercises as well as public performance.
THEA 2430 - Musical Drama and Speech - Principles and practices governing the actor's use of voice, body, and imagination for musical performances. Scene work.