This certificate is focused on intermediate and advanced approaches to songwriting and arranging. Through a course of study, students find their professional writing voice in order to create original, commercially-viable songs. The culmination of this certificate requires a professional portfolio as the final project.
Please contact the Student Success Team for this program if you have any questions.Course | Units | Typically Offered |
1st Semester | ||
MUS 103 - Music Theory IM | 3.0 | |
MUS 103 - Music Theory I (3.0 units) Corequisite:MUS 106 Through guided composition and analysis, this course incorporates the following concepts: rhythm and meter; basic properties of sound; intervals; diatonic scales and triads; diatonic chords, basic cadential formulas and phrase structure; dominant seventh; figured bass symbols; and non-harmonic tones. Development of skills in handwritten notation is expected. | ||
MUS 106 - Musicianship IM | 1.0 | |
MUS 106 - Musicianship I (1.0 units) Corequisite: MUS 103 This course is designed for students who want to develop beginning aural recognition, sight-singing, and dictation skills. It is recommended for all instrumentalists, singers, and composers, and required for all music majors. | ||
MUST 101 - Introduction to Music TechnologyM | 3.0 | |
MUST 101 - Introduction to Music Technology (3.0 units) Advisory:It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts. This course is designed for the student who wants to learn the terminology, equipment, techniques, and concepts of music technology. Focus will be on principles and practices of sound, digital audio, synthesis, Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI), MIDI sequencing, notation software, and audio recording utilizing hardware and software platforms. Lab activities will place an emphasis on the operation and components of the typical MIDI and digital audio lab (hardware and software). Students will complete independent projects demonstrating hands-on knowledge. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 7.0 | |
1st Semester | ||
MUST 115 - Songwriting and Arranging IM | 3.0 | |
MUST 115 - Songwriting and Arranging I (3.0 units) Prerequisite: MUS 103 and MUST 101 This course is designed for students who want to learn the process of songwriting. Songs are analyzed using chord structure, form, rhythm, melody, harmony, and lyrics. Original compositions and performances are expected from all students. | ||
MUS 104 - Music Theory IIM | 3.0 | |
MUS 104 - Music Theory II (3.0 units) Prerequisite:MUS 103 This course incorporates the concepts from Music Theory I. In addition, through guided composition and analysis, the course includes an introduction to two-part counterpoint; voice leading involving four-part chorale writing; diatonic harmony; and an introduction to secondary/applied chords and modulation. | ||
MUS 107 - Musicianship IIM | 1.0 | |
MUS 107 - Musicianship II (1.0 units) Prerequisite: MUS 106 This course is designed for students who want to develop the rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic materials of MUS 104 (Music Theory II) through ear training, sight singing, analysis, and dictation. This course is required for all music majors. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 7.0 | |
3rd Semester | ||
MUST 116 - Songwriting and Arranging IIM | 3.0 | |
MUST 116 - Songwriting and Arranging II (3.0 units) Prerequisite: MUST 115 or MUS 104 This course is designed for students who want to further their knowledge of the process of songwriting and arranging. Complex songs and advanced song forms are analyzed using chord structure, form, rhythm, melody, harmony, and lyrics. Additional emphasis on the creation of lead sheets as well as the proper presentation of a score and parts for strings and horn sections is included. Original compositions, recordings, and performances are expected from all students. | ||
MUS 105 - Music Theory IIIM | 3.0 | |
MUS 105 - Music Theory III (3.0 units) Prerequisite:MUS 104 This course incorporates the concepts learned in MUS 104 (Music Theory II). In addition, through writing and analysis, the course introduces students to chromatic harmony, secondary/applied chords, modulation, borrowed chords, and Neapolitan and augmented-sixth chords. | ||
MUS 156 - Musicianship IIIM | 1.0 | |
MUS 156 - Musicianship III (1.0 units) Prerequisite:MUS 107 This course is designed for the student who wants to develop the rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic materials of MUS 105 (Music Theory III) through ear training, sight singing analysis and dictation. This course is required of all music majors. | ||
MUS 211 - Composition Workshop IM | 3.0 | |
MUS 211 - Composition Workshop I (3.0 units) >Prerequisite: MUS 104 This beginner-level course is for students who want to develop vocal and instrumental compositional skills through analysis and creative writing in a workshop setting. The course includes the basic elements and tools of musical composition, including rhythm, melody, harmony, and counterpoint; and musical structure and form. Students are assigned composition exercises, describe and discuss their work with the class, and work on a final composition project. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 10.0 | |
4th Semester | ||
MUS 157 - Musicianship IVM | 1.0 | |
MUS 157 - Musicianship IV (1.0 units) Prerequisite: MUS 156 This course is designed for students who want to develop the rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic materials of MUS 105 (Music Theory III) through ear training, sight singing, analysis, and dictation. This course is required for all music majors. | ||
MUS 206 - Music Theory IVM | 3.0 | |
MUS 206 - Music Theory IV (3.0 units) Prerequisite: MUS 105 This course is designed for students who want an introduction to the materials and the major trends and movements of the 20th- and 21st centuries. Students gain techniques for motivic and harmonic analysis, improvisation, and listening strategies for addressing this repertoire, and will both compose and perform as a class following the models of masterworks of the last 100 years. | ||
MUST 141 - Recording Studio IM | 3.0 | |
MUST 141 - Recording Studio I (3.0 units) Advisory:MUST 101 This course is designed for students who want to learn how to make high-quality recordings using a wide array of tools and techniques. Emphasis is placed on digital audio workstation (DAW) sound recording, editing, and mixing processes through hands-on experience. Students collaborate to produce recordings within several musical genres. | ||
Total Semester Units: | 7.0 | |
Total Units for Music Technology - Advanced Songwriting and Arranging COA program | 31.0 | |
AP exams and courses taken outside of Rio Hondo College may fulfill general education and/or major requirements. Please check with a counselor. |
M | Major course; course may also meet a general education requirement |
Click or tap here to open the program's advising sheet. |
Students will be able to write complex songs by incorporating contemporary harmony and form.
Students will be able to analyze complex songs in order to identify genre, form, structure, groove, and lyrical elements.
Students will be able to create a lead sheet, score, and parts for strings, horn section, and back-up harmonies.
Students will be able to compose melodies and their accompaniment using harmony or counterpoint.
Students will be able to demonstrate a second-year undergraduate level competency in music theory and musicianship through four-part chorale writing, analysis, audiation, and dictation of diatonic music examples.
Students will be able to collaborate effectively through group project-based learning.
Rio Hondo College, serving the communities of El Monte, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, and Whittier for over 50 years.
Rio Hondo College
3600 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601
Phone: (562) 692-0921
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