Chris Daniels, MFA, University of Colorado Boulder, Clinical Track
Storm Gloor, MBA, West Texas A&M University
Catalin Grigoras, PhD, University Politechnica Bucharest
Erin Hackel, DMA, University of Colorado
Doug Krause, MA, University of Denver, Clinical Track
Sean McGowan, DMA, University of Southern California
Sam McGuire, MS, University of Colorado Denver
Paul Musso, MM, University of Denver

Clincial Track Associate Professors:

Benom Plumb, MM, University of Miami
Peter Stoltzman, MM, New England Conservatory

Senior Instructors:

Peter Ellingson, DMA, University of Colorado
Andrew Morell

Instructors:

Peter Buchwald

Gregory Garrison, DMA, University of Colorado Boulder

Karin Hauger, PhD, Virginia Tech
Owen Kortz, MM, University of Southern California
Todd Reid, MM, Cincinnati College - Conservatory of Music
Leslie Soich, MM, University of Colorado
Pamela Weng, MA, University of Colorado Denver

Undergraduate Program

Bachelor of Science in Music

The music program at the University of Colorado Denver is intended for students seeking preparation for professional careers in music related to commercial performance, recording, music business and the entertainment and creative industries. The Music and Entertainment Industry Studies (MEIS) Department offers a NASM-accredited* Bachelor of Science Music degree. Students elect an intended focused emphasis area in performance, singer/songwriter, music business and/or recording arts. Students are admitted to the degree program under either the audition track or the non-audition track.

The specialized curriculum offered by the program prepares graduates for sustainable careers in the entertainment and creative industries and new media sector —including positions in recording arts, audio engineering and media forensics, commercial music performance and music business, as well as graduate studies at leading conservatories.

Please note: Acceptance into MEIS is on a competitive basis with specific entrance evaluation requirements for both freshmen and transfer students.

All applicants are placed in an enrollment pool and admission decisions are based on several factors, which include an indexed composite score of GPA, Music Aptitude Exam scores and an audition (if applicable). Application materials must be received by the deadline—no late applications will be considered.

Prospective students should refer to the MEIS Web site for current entrance requirements, deadlines and procedures.

All music applicants, except those entering the non-audition track, must pass an entrance audition on their primary instrument or voice before being accepted into the College of Arts & Media and the MEIS department. Call 303-556-3480 for information on scheduling an audition.

Students applying to the non-audition track must submit a Non-Audition Application Form.

All students in the MEIS department are required to abide by the policies and procedures outlined in the MEIS Student Handbook as well as all University Policies and Codes of Conduct.

* NASM (National Association of Schools of Music) is the national accrediting agency for music and music-related disciplines.

Performance Emphasis

The performance emphasis includes specialized courses in small performance ensembles, applied study, contemporary improvisation, and analysis and history. Students gain a diverse set of performance skills in commercial, jazz, classical and experimental music styles. The curriculum includes the presentation of a junior and senior recital. Students are required to pass a Sophomore Proficiency at the end of the sophomore year in order to progress into advanced performance and musicianship courses. Only students entering under the audition track may complete the performance emphasis.

Singer/Songwriter Emphasis

Students complete specialized courses in songwriting and arranging repertoire while developing their performance skills through small performance ensembles, and applied study of voice, accompanying instrument, and songwriting. The curriculum includes the presentation of a junior and senior recital. Students are required to pass a Sophomore Proficiency at the end of the sophomore year in order to progress into advanced performance courses. Only students entering under the audition track may complete the singer/songwriter emphasis.

Recording Arts Emphasis

The recording arts emphasis studies contemporary analog and digital technology as it is used in studio recording, sound reinforcement and new media applications. While mastering technology skills and formats, students also study the artistic and aesthetic applications of technology to recording, reinforcement, composition and performance. Due to the immense popularity of the recording arts program and the facility constraints, the recording arts emphasis is competitive. Students are required to apply to the program to be eligible to take the intermediate- and advanced-level recording courses. This application includes completion of a series of music courses, transcript review and an exam.

Music Business Emphasis

The music business emphasis prepares musicians for careers in such fields as artist management, music publishing, concert promotion, record production, venue management, label promotion, distribution, entertainment law and the development of skills relative to the rapidly expanding entertainment and creative industries.

Audition Track (for students pursuing the music business or recording arts emphasis)

The audition track provides an in-depth study of musicianship and performance through lectures, as well as hands-on learning, while allowing students to specialize in their area of interest. As part of the admissions process, students must audition on a musical instrument or voice.
Students on the audition track must complete three semesters of music theory and ear training & sight singing courses, followed by a semester of jazz theory. In addition, students complete four semesters of piano class along with the music theory course work. All students in the MEIS Department complete three semesters of music history courses.
Audition track students take four semesters of private lessons, culminating each semester in a performance for a jury of faculty as well as a performance in general recital for other students.

Non-Audition Track (for students pursuing the music business or recording arts emphasis)

The non-audition track provides a broad overview of various performance and musicianship topics through lectures as well as hands-on learning. The non-audition track does not require an entrance audition. Instead, students must complete a Non-Audition Application Form as part of their application to the MEIS Department.
Students on the non-audition track complete two semesters of courses in music theory, ear training & sight singing, and piano class. Students may opt to complete up to four semesters of piano class, or can switch to voice class or guitar class. Non-audition track students are required to study one semester of introductory songwriting and one semester of sight reading and improvisation, as well as additional musicianship coursework. All students in the MEIS Department complete three semesters of music history courses.
Non-audition track students take two semesters of private lessons which do not require a performance for a jury.

Students are encouraged to consult a faculty member or CAM advisor to talk about the differences in curriculum and to determine which track is best suited to them.

Application Requirements for Recording Arts Emphasis

Music majors who intend to apply to the recording arts emphasis are required to have completed or be enrolled in the following courses by the spring semester of their sophomore year:

PMUS 1100 - Music Theory I

PMUS 1110 - Ear Training and Sight Singing I

PMUS 1023 - Piano Class I

MUSC 2700 - Introduction to Music Business

MUSC 2540 - Audio Production I

MUSC 2560 - Audio Production II

PHYS 3620 - Sound and Music

*Please note that satisfactory completion (with a grade of C (2.0) or better) of the above courses will not automatically guarantee a student’s acceptance into the recording arts emphasis.

Each student interested in the recording arts emphasis must submit an application and complete an entrance exam covering material from audio production courses, as well as sound and music. The entrance exam is administered during the first week in April. The student’s cumulative GPA from CU Denver will be part of the evaluation criteria. Complete information on applying to recording arts is available online: http://cam.ucdenver.edu/meis.

Graduate Programs

MEIS offers two master of science programs:

Master of Science in Recording Arts (MSRA)

Master of Science in Recording Arts, Media Forensics Emphasis (MSRA-MF)

MSRA Program Overview

Recording arts is a field that deals with all aspects of recorded music and sound, including mixing, mastering, production, sequencing, calibration, live sound reinforcement and post-production. The program refines students’ skills in sound recording, aesthetics, multi-track recording, digital signal processing, automated mixing, synchronization, stereo imaging and monitoring, and post-production.

In addition, the program recognizes the need for pedagogy degrees. Pedagogy is synonymous with teaching, and this program includes a survey of available resources for audio education. The curriculum offers an interdisciplinary approach including physics, acoustics, engineering, music, broadcast, medicine, psychology, multimedia, theatre and film/video. The program emphasizes design and development of new methods and materials.

CU Denver’s master of science in recording arts (MSRA) has the only pedagogy track in the nation.

This graduate degree is designed to:

prepare students for careers in media applications for the fields of mass communications, education, arts and the entertainment industries.
help professionals advance their careers.
help prepare the music educators of the future.

Students may choose between a thesis (research) or non-thesis (portfolio) option.

Graduate courses constituting the core of this study advance the artistic, pedagogical, technical and problem-solving abilities of the enrolled students. Elective courses allow each student to develop additional skills and knowledge in related areas, including film, broadcasting, education, music business and the performing arts.

CAM encourages students from allied disciplines (music, physics, engineering, etc.) to apply. Students are not required to have a bachelor’s degree in recording arts—the bachelor’s degree can be in any discipline. Students can qualify for the MSRA by having an equivalent level of preparation (e.g., work experience). Candidates without sufficient experience/training in recording arts may be required to take preparatory courses at the undergraduate level.

Note: The application process and requirements for the master of science in recording arts (MSRA) differ from those listed for the MSRA media forensics program. Refer to the MSRA website at www.cam.ucdenver.edu/meis > Master of Science for information regarding application process and requirements.

MSRA Application Components

See the Recording Arts MS page of this catalog for further information. For detailed information, please refer to the MSRA website at www.cam.ucdenver.edu/meis > Master of Science

Graduate Admissions Application - Parts I and II
In-State Tuition Classification Application (if applicable)
Entrance Examinations: GRE (TOEFL, if applicable)
Official Transcripts
Three Letters of Recommendation
Application Essay
Resume
Portfolio
Application Fee

Applications that do not include all of the requirements listed above, or that include partial components, are considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

MSRA Media Forensics Program Overview

The master of science in recording arts, media forensics emphasis, prepares students from various backgrounds for work in the field of forensic audio, video and image analysis, utilizing the state-of-the-art methods and technology necessary to fight crime in the digital age. Housed in the National Center for Media Forensics (NCMF), this program is unique in providing a hybrid-format (online and onsite) graduate education in forensic multimedia analysis.

Students from all disciplines (media production, electrical engineering, general forensics, etc.) are encouraged to apply, as this program enhances scientific inquiry while guiding students through a two-year cohort curriculum. The hybrid delivery format affords students the option to work full-time while completing most of the program in an online classroom with additional onsite study at the NCMF and its partner institutions. Classes are comprised of online self-guided lectures, interactive learning, discussion boards and reading responses, as well as scheduled video conferencing. Onsite coursework provides students with hands-on and practical experiences which augments and enriches the curriculum. Additionally, experiential learning includes visits to regional crime labs and scientific conferences to understand the application of forensic media technology and laboratory procedures.

Classes feature diverse faculty that lead students through three areas of study: foundational knowledge, core analyses and capstone experiences, which fully prepare students for research in forensic science and expert witness testimony. Digital media evidence acquisition through computer forensics applications is emphasized in an environment that fosters creativity and individual skills. The research thesis on a topic of the student’s choosing is conducted under the advisement of the Director and Associate Director of the NCMF as well as forensic professionals from around the world. The thesis is a topic of exploration throughout the program and serves to enhance a graduate’s area of specialty as they prepare for work in private forensic practice, corporate research and development, academic research and teaching, or crime labs at the local, state or federal levels.

Note: The application process and requirements for the master of science in recording arts, media forensics emphasis (MSRA-MF), differ from those listed for the MSRA recording arts program. Refer to the National Center for Media Forensics website at www.cam.ucdenver.edu/ncmf for information regarding application process and requirements.

MSRA Media Forensics Application Components

Admission for the MSRA-MF program is competitive. Admission materials are accepted for Fall-only admission to the cohort. Admission decisions are made by committee and are based on the entirety of the applicant’s submitted materials. Incomplete applications are not considered, and application requirements may vary between domestic and international students. For more information about deadlines and required application materials, refer to the National Center for Media Forensics website at www.cam.ucdenver.edu/ncmf > MSRA Media Forensics Graduate Program.

1. Graduate Application for Admission
2. Application Fee
3. Entrance Examinations: GRE (TOEFL/IELTS/or English Language Requirement, if applicable)
4. Official Transcripts
5. Cover Letter
6. Resume
7. Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
8. Two (2) Technical Writing Samples

Applications that do not include all of the requirements listed above, or that include partial components, are considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.