Contemporary Music Studies Contemporary Music Studies Associate in Arts (Liberal Arts Option) Focus on the historical, theoretical and technical foundations of contemporary music while honing your talents as a composer or performer. Request Information Apply Now Music Department website Program Contact Matthew Shippee (413) 775-1228 shippeem@gcc.mass.edu Program Overview Degree Requirements Learning Outcomes Faculty Career Outlook Upcoming Events No Events The GCC music program was a great place to start for me, being a self-taught musician like so many people are.— John Zarcone, Liberal Arts/Music '11 Combines exploration of the liberal arts with focused study in contemporary processes of music making. This includes music created by songwriters and bands, by ear, through improvisation, in recording studios, and in video/film/games, online, in clubs, and in concert. Contemporary music is rooted in post-1950 repertoire and musical forms and is continually re-shaped by global mixing of cultures, styles, technologies, politics, and commercial forces. This academic program provides historical, theoretical, and musical foundations for understanding and actively pursuing artistry and careers in the contemporary music field. 66-67credits Associate in Arts Associate in Arts (AA) degrees are typically completed in two (2) years and designed for transfer Learn more TransferGuaranteed admission and streamlined transfer to four-year state schools through MassTransfer!Learn more What's Next?Upon completing your degree, you may transfer to a four-year college if you decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree. If you plan to continue with music, your future career may include work in performing, composing, producing, teaching, sound design for film/game/video genres, studio engineering, live sound engineering, music therapy, artist management and arts administration. Appreciate diverse cultural and individual perspectives Learn to hear musical styles and characteristics as part of fluid cultural expression. Solve problems collaboratively Cooperate as active participant with peer musicians and teachers to explore and discover creative possibilities as life-long learners and students of music. Reason and act ethically Respect others' creative work and the larger endeavor of human expression and connection; understand commercial, musical, and cultural forces of appropriation. Demonstrate civic knowledge and engagement Prepare, rehearse, and perform live music that has relevant meaning and purpose for audience and community. Communicate in various modes and media Express themselves on instrument(s), in musical notation, reflective and research writing, musical composition, live performance, digital recording, and through online commercial/social networks. Use quantitative concepts and processes Learn how music is "put together" through theory, applied instrumental technique, and study of music history. Locate, evaluate, and use various sources of information Research music, artists, styles, and cultures through various online, digital, and traditional sources; Identify, locate, interview, document, and present local music culture through fieldwork project. Explore the natural and physical world Explore instruments and time/sound qualities of musical expression in performance and recorded modes. Think creatively and critically Discover possibilities for putting musical materials together; evaluate in the moment and over time how music is working and what comes next Apply, integrate, and synthesize learning Perform individual recital pieces based on self-directed multiple skill applications: Learn a new piece of music, practice the piece, recruit accompaniment, organize rehearsals, record the rehearsals, evaluate the rehearsals, perform dress rehearsal, perform the concert, evaluate the final performance. Matthew Shippee Faculty, Department ChairMusicS334 1-413-775-1228 ShippeeM@gcc.mass.edu Matthew studied ethnomusicology at the University of Michigan School of Music, focusing on creativity consciousness in American popular music composition practice. As a guitarist, singer, and songwriter he also records and performs extensively. His band, Swing Caravan, has won multiple awards and can be heard locally at festivals and the Iron Horse Music Hall. Matthew is a producer/engineer and studies the middle eastern oud. These are just examples of jobs that someone with an associate degree in Contemporary Music Studies might pursue. Our programs provide a solid foundation for many careers, but some paths may require additional education, or even a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Don’t worry! Our advisors are here to support you in planning your educational journey.