Combine the Music You Love with the Skills You Need
As part of 四虎影视鈥檚 Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Musicianship & Entrepreneur Development (with a built-in minor in entrepreneurship) you鈥檒l develop the exceptional technological, business, marketing, entrepreneurial, and musical skills and innovative mindset you need to forge your music industry career.聽
Coursework crosses subject areas, with classes not only in music foundations, performance, and songwriting, but also business, marketing, entrepreneurship and technology. You鈥檒l receive a holistic education as you collaborate with students in a wide variety of programs, including music production and recording technology, jazz studies, performing arts leadership and management, psychology, business administration, media and communication and more.
You鈥檒l also perform as part of an ensemble with a repertoire that spans multiple forms of contemporary music, from pop, rock, country and soul to electronic, rhythm & blues, and gospel music, as well as original works written by you and your classmates.聽
And, you鈥檒l conclude your time at Shenandoah with a capstone project that demonstrates your readiness for a successful career in the music industry. You鈥檒l graduate with not only a deep understanding of music itself, but also with a clear understanding of the music business and industry; the skills to execute a music business plan; marketing and management savvy; and a professional portfolio.聽
Is This The Program For You?
The answer is yes, if:聽
- You are interested in developing strong skills in musicianship, entrepreneurship, business, technology, and marketing.
- You love learning and performing music in contemporary styles.
- You enjoy exploring courses beyond the traditional music curriculum.
- You thrive in a collaborative and creative environment.
- You plan to chart a career within the arts with a strong desire to use your skills to promote positive social change.
Audition Requirements and Guidelines
B.A. in Contemporary Musicianship & Entrepreneur Development
With embedded Minor in Entrepreneurship
Audition Requirements & Guidelines
In addition to an audition, students applying to the CMED program must complete an interview. Interview results are used in conjunction with academic criteria, applied audition results and music skills assessment results to determine admission to the program. Diagnostic assessments will only be used as resource indicators should the applicant be accepted and choose to attend Shenandoah.聽
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Prospective CMED students will complete an interview with the Director of Contemporary Music. The interview will assess the student鈥檚 oral communication skills, leadership potential, musical knowledge, goals and other elements that may contribute to success in the profession.聽
Applicants for the Contemporary Musicianship and Entrepreneur Development program must submit the following items at least two weeks before the audition date:聽
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Applicants are assessed on technique, interpretation, intonation, feel, rhythm and personal style.聽
Acoustic/Electric Guitar
Two songs/pieces, each approximately 2 minutes in length, of contrasting styles and genres (Pop, R&B, Latin, Soul, Country, etc.) on acoustic or electric guitar:
- One song/piece in a slower tempo to demonstrate your expressivity and touch on the instrument.聽
- A second song/piece in a faster tempo to demonstrate technique and energy.聽
- If desired, you may include a third original composition.
At the audition, students will also complete a short diagnostic including the following:
- Reading a chord progression written using chord symbols
- Playing back short melodies and/or rhythms by ear
- Identifying chord qualities by ear
- Improvising over a common chord progression
Bass Guitar
Two songs/pieces, each approximately 2 minutes in length, of contrasting styles and genres (Pop, R&B, Latin, Soul, Country, etc.) on electric bass guitar played along with recordings:
- One song/piece in a slower tempo to demonstrate your expressivity and touch on the instrument
- A second song/piece in a faster tempo to demonstrate technique and energy聽
- If desired, you may include a third original composition.
At the audition, students will also complete a short diagnostic including the following:
- Reading a chord progression written using chord symbols
- Playing back short melodies and/or rhythms by ear
- Identifying intervals by ear
- Improvising over a common chord progression聽
Drum Set聽
Two songs/pieces, each approximately 2 minutes in length, of contrasting styles and genres (Pop, R&B, Latin, Soul, Country, etc.) on drum set played along with recordings:
- One song/piece in a slower tempo to demonstrate your expressivity and touch on the instrument聽
- A second song/piece in a faster tempo to demonstrate technique and energy.聽
- If desired, you may include a third original composition.
At the audition, students will also complete a short diagnostic including the following:
- Reading short notated rhythms
- Singing back short rhythms by ear
- Improvising a one-minute drum solo聽
Piano/Keyboard
Two or three songs/pieces, each approximately 2 minutes in length, of contrasting styles and genres (Pop, R&B, Latin, Soul, Country, etc.):
- One song/piece in a slower tempo to demonstrate your expressivity and touch on the instrument.
- A second song/piece in a faster tempo to demonstrate technique and energy.聽
- If desired, you may include a third original composition.
At the audition, students will also complete a short diagnostic including the following:
- Reading a chord progression written using chord symbols
- Playing back short melodies and/or rhythms by ear
- Identifying intervals and chord qualities by ear
- Improvising over a common chord progression聽聽
Singer-Songwriter
Two contrasting original songs, each approximately 2 minutes in length, in which you accompany yourself on either acoustic/electric guitar or piano/keyboard:聽
- One song in a slower tempo to demonstrate your vocal expressivity and touch on the instrument.聽
- A second song in a faster tempo to demonstrate technique and energy.聽聽
- If desired, you may include as an optional third song a cover song arranged to fit your style and voice.
At the audition, students will also complete a short diagnostic including the following:
- Reading a chord progression written using chord symbols
- Singing or playing back short melodies and/or rhythms by ear
- Identifying chord qualities by ear
- Improvising over a common chord progression聽聽
Voice (non-singer-songwriter)
Two songs of contrasting styles and genres (Pop, R&B, Latin, Soul, Country, etc.), each approximately 2 minutes in length, in which you accompany yourself on either acoustic/electric guitar or piano/keyboard, or sing along to an accompaniment track:聽
- One song in a slower tempo to demonstrate your expressivity.聽
- A second song in a faster tempo to demonstrate technique and energy.
At the audition, students will also complete a short diagnostic including the following:
- Reading short notated melodies and/or rhythms
- Singing back short melodies and/or rhythms by ear
- Improvising over a common chord progression聽
Violin, Viola, Cello,Trumpet, Trombone & Saxophone
Students who want to continue classical study but pursue a degree in Contemporary Musicianship & Entrepreneur Development are also encouraged to apply. The Audition Requirements will follow those already listed for each instrument in the Audition Guidelines. The interview and audition process will include the Director of Contemporary Music and faculty from the appropriate instrumental area. Important to note is that the CONTEMPO Ensemble will perform a wide variety of music outside of classical and that not all pieces will require your instrument.
Supplemental Audio/Video Materials (optional)
Please feel free to upload appropriate supplemental materials such as music videos or audio recordings (accepted formats: mp3, m4a, mp4, WMV) ahead of your audition that you believe will demonstrate your ability to thrive at Shenandoah Conservatory. These materials are only supplemental and will not replace any primary application materials.聽
Items such as album credentials and awards should be included in the artistic resume required of all conservatory applicants.
Classes
Courses include:聽
- Introduction to the Music Industry
- The Entrepreneurial Artist聽
- Contemporary Music Arranging
- CMED Forum and Showcase
- Protest Music Since 1920聽
- Musical Genre Bending
- MIDI and Electronic Music Synthesis聽
- Small Business Management & Entrepreneurship聽
- New Venture Creation and Launch聽
- Accounting and Finance for Entrepreneurs
The Contemporary Music program also features a host of masterclasses, covering topics such as:聽
- Building an audience
- Building a concert experience (virtually and in-person)
- Learning to brand and market oneself聽
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Performance Opportunities & Ensembles
With more than 300 performances each year, Shenandoah Conservatory offers students in the Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Musicianship & Entrepreneur Development (CMED) program a dynamic environment in which to practice their craft and develop a plan for their professional launch into the industry.
CMED music students also have their own ensemble: CONTEMPO Ensemble. Its mission is to educate, entertain and inspire. The repertoire represents a wide variety of styles and genres including popular music, soul, electronic, rhythm and blues, hip hop, country, and original compositions by ensemble members. While a central component of the Contemporary Musicianship & Entrepreneur Development program, this ensemble will collaborate with students across the conservatory and university.
Additionally, students get hands-on experience organizing and leading rehearsals, serving as point of contact for performances (inside and outside of the conservatory), and arranging music for the ensemble, among other leadership duties
Fast-Track To Arts Management
Accelerated PALM Program
The Master of Science in Performing Arts Leadership & Management is designed to provide future performing arts executives and artistic leaders with the industry skills required in the 21st century. The accelerated program in Performing Arts Leadership and Management is available for current Shenandoah Conservatory undergraduates who, upon completion of their undergraduate degree, wish to obtain a Master of Science in Performing Arts Leadership & Management in just one year. Students who are accepted into the accelerated program will begin to take arts leadership and management courses during their undergraduate studies and register for internship during the summer between senior year and their final year of graduate study.
Study Abroad
Make studying abroad the highlight of your college experience! Whether you go for a year, a semester, or just a few weeks, you will never forget learning in another culture! The Center for International Programs is here to help you plan your study abroad experience. Start your planning early to ensure the courses you complete abroad count toward your degree and you graduate on time.
Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program
The Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program offers Shenandoah students a short-term, faculty-led, study-abroad experience for academic credit.聽 These short-term, credit-bearing, faculty-led programs are offered winter break, spring break, and during the summer. If a course is not within your major, it might be used as an elective.
Study Abroad
四虎影视 is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a global network of 300 universities. This partnership allows students to study for a full semester or year at other member campuses abroad. By working closely with their academic advisors and the study abroad advisor, students can take classes taught in English abroad while receiving Shenandoah credit.
四虎影视 also maintains direct partnerships with several universities around the world. These relationships allow students from SU to study abroad as exchange students and students from these universities to study at SU.聽 All partner universities offer courses taught in English.
Careers
Careers in contemporary music include:
- Music entrepreneur
- Music performer
- Composer
- Music arranger
- Church musician
- Session musician
- Music producer
- Artist manager
- Tour manager
- Arts administrator
Career & Professional Development
The Career & Professional Development staff helps Shenandoah students search and apply for internships related to their major and career goals. Internships differentiate you as an applicant in your future job searches, provide hands-on experience in your field, allow you to sample different career paths for your major, and help you find a specific position that fits your passion before graduation.
Faculty
Casey Joiner
Adjunct Teaching Fellow
Minor In Music, Theatre, Dance or Music Composition
Shenandoah Conservatory offers minors in Music, Theatre or Dance for all 四虎影视 students.
Shenandoah also offers a new minor in Music Composition for conservatory students who wish to build composition skills and enhance their creative music-making experience while pursuing other degree programs in the conservatory.
Although the CMED program includes a built-in entrepreneurship minor, students in the program can also add another minor of their choosing, including those in music, theatre or dance offered by the conservatory to all university students, or music composition offered to all conservatory students. Approval into conservatory minors must be approved by the Division/Department Chair. If a CMED student decides to declare an additional minor, aside from the entrepreneurship minor already included in the program, they work with their academic adviser to do so.