Songwriting & Recording – Academics – Prairie College | Canada

Diploma in Music & Worship Arts (Songwriting and Recording)

All courses are three credits unless shown otherwise.

Bible & Theology (18 credits)

NT 112 Reading the Gospels and Acts

In this course, students are introduced to the story of Jesus Christ and his earliest disciples as told by the four Gospels and the book of Acts. Students will grow in their understanding of who Jesus is as well as in their ability to interpret the bible by attending to its literary, historical, and theological character.

NT 221 Reading Paul’s Letters

This course is an introduction to the life and letters of the apostle Paul. Students will gain a basic understanding of the historical, literary, and theological characteristics of each of Paul’s letters, and in the process will further develop their skills in attentive and critical bible reading.

OT 112 Reading the Torah

A study of the first five books of the Bible, focusing on the historical, literary and theological features of these books as well as establishing a strong grounding in Torah principles as preparation for interpreting the rest of Scripture.

OT 221 Reading the Historical Books

A study of the books of Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings and Ezra-Nehemiah in their cultural, historical, and literary setting. Brief interaction with Ruth, Esther, and 1-2 Chronicles as they relate to the books associated with them. Focuses on interpretive and contextual issues, historical setting, cultural concerns, and their relevance in developing a strong biblical theology in today’s world.

ST 105 The Christian Quest

The Christian life is the experience of God drawing us into a relationship that is nothing less than the believer’s participation in the life of God through union with Christ. This is the Good News (i.e. Gospel) that takes root through sola scriptura (Scripture alone), solus Christus (Christ alone), sola fide (faith alone), sola gratia (grace alone), and soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone). The transformative participation in Christ and His purposes gives this present life value, direction and hope. The believer is called to the quest of faithful discipleship in this participation and engagement with Christ.

The course is an exploration of and involvement in that quest. You will be challenged toward intentional participation in the life of God through your faithful discipleship response to His person and work. The content will explore a Christian spiritual theology and practice of participation with Christ. The theological approach to this participation is as a transformational relationship with the triune God in which you have both responsibilities and privileges. The course is designed to stretch beyond a cognitive/intellectual exercise and therefore you will be encouraged to actively engage in whole-hearted participation with God, both inside and outside of the classroom. The desired result is that you will know God more deeply, relate to Him as one intimately known by Him, and desire to make Him known to others.

TH 100 Introduction to Christian Theology

This course introduces students to the biblical, doctrinal, philosophical and historical “big picture” outlines of the Christian faith. The course aims to equip students with the skills to develop a Christian mind by assisting them in constructing a theological foundation for thinking and dealing with life’s most important issues. This course will also enable students to begin to think theologically and to construct a Christian worldview for the edification of the community of faith and to the glory of the almighty God whom we serve.

Arts & Sciences (20 credits)

HF 111 Thinking & Writing

This course focuses on a variety of aspects of academic research. The student will critically assess a variety of sources that mostly pertain to the task of apologetics. The primary focus of this course is research and writing, and the secondary focus is apologetics. This means that the student will assess, analyze, summarize, and review source documents that pertain to apologetics. The student will learn how to write academically and how to properly paraphrase source documents in order to enhance their critical thinking skills. Additionally, the student will be familiarized with the library and information literacy. In sum, this course is designed to introduce the student to the task of sound research and proper academic writing.

HF 151 How Music Works

The music that we write and love today comes from somewhere. It’s like a branch connected to the trunk and ultimately the roots of the tree. Our enjoyment of the current branch of music will grow as we are able to survey and take in the beauty of the full tree. This class will be an overview of the essence and history of music. Together we will explore why music moves us emotionally and what the connection is between music and spirituality.

SS 170 Christianity in the 21st Century World

This course describes and analyzes the range and nature of Christian expression around the world. This will be done in three ways: 1) by briefly describing the four main streams of Christianity evident today; 2) by examining the variety of expressions of indigenous Christianity in the various geographical regions of the globe, and major challenges Christians face in each region; and 3) by getting a brief introduction of how Christianity spread from its Hebrew roots in Palestine to becoming a global faith which is known today as World Christianity (Christianity whose agenda is no longer determined by churches in the nations of the West). The underlying question for Christians living in the West is, ‘What is our place and role in this recently altered global landscape of Christianity?’ This course will offer some possible answers to that question.

MU 155 & 255 Music Lessons (1 credit each)

Private lessons are taught weekly on a one-to-one basis. Subject material is chosen by the instructor from a range of styles and genres to meet the needs of each student while fulfilling the guidelines set out by each respective area. Students are expected to participate regularly in performance classes. End-of-semester adjudications and/or recitals serve as final exams.

MU 158 & 258 Music Lessons (1 credit each)

MU 191 & 291 Performing Ensemble (1 credit each)

The Performance Ensemble class is designed to give Music and Worship Arts students practical experiences in singing and in playing their instrument as part of a larger music ensemble. Students will be members of the Community Choir, which has a weekly rehearsal and an end-of-semester concert, to aid in the practice and training of the voice through singing. In addition, students will be placed into groups and through a given assignment will practice the art and craft of creating and playing music together.

MU 196 & 296 Performing Ensemble (1 credit each)

WA 123 The Language of Music 1 (1 credit)

Introduction to the foundations of the language of music based on five aspects: Melody, Harmony, Rhythm, Dynamics, and Articulation. This is an overview of the basis of reading and writing music, setting a foundation for writing songs, for arranging music, for reading and transcribing music, for making music charts and for self-publishing music via computer software.

WA 124 The Language of Music 2 (1 credit)

This course will be a continuation of the study of the foundations of the language of music based on the three aspects: Melody, Harmony and Rhythm. This study will build on the basics of reading and writing music setting a foundation for writing songs and music charts.

WA 228 The Language of Music and Writing (1 credit)

This course focuses on applying the foundations of melody, harmony, rhythm, dynamics, and articulation in creating melody and accompaniment, and short songs. Application to the writing of music in various structures and forms is emphasized.

Music & Worship Arts (26 credits)

DM 103 Introduction to Digital Media (1 credit)

An introduction of Digital Media for all the students enrolled in the Music & Worship Arts Program, this course will give students an overview of digital photography, social media design, video production, and filmmaking. Anyone who aspires to be a recording artist or worship pastor at a modern church will need to know the basics of how digital media works and how to work with visual artists. This course will help prepare recording artists, songwriters, musicians and worship leaders to co-work and complete projects and live events with visual artists.

MU 158 Music Lessons (1 credit)

WA 101 Introduction to Worship Leading (1 credit)

Worship has been described as a multifaceted jewel. No matter what side from which the jewel is viewed, there is always something new to see, a new depth to experience. Individuals seeking to lead congregational worship have undertaken a fascinating and lifelong journey. What view does the worship leader have of the worship of the triune God? What part of worship is most familiar? What part is most challenging? This course seeks to introduce the student to the breadth and depth of topics that encompass worship leading and ministry.

WA 121 Songwriting 1

In this course you will sharpen your lyric, harmony and melody writing skills. You will learn tools and strategies to generate better ideas, develop them, and work with structure and form in order to build them into great songs. This course also explores questions such as: Where does inspiration come from and how we encourage creativity? What are the distinctions between writing for a church service and a community audience? How can we influence culture through songwriting? Students will have the experience of writing songs individually as well as co-writing.

WA 122 Songwriting 2

This course is a continuation of Songwriting 1, building on a foundation of fundamentals for all aspects of songwriting. We will dig deeper into the art & skill of writing lyrics, melody and harmony. Students will have the experience of writing songs individually as well as co-writing.

WA 221 Songwriting 3

This course is a continuation of Songwriting 2, building on a foundation of fundamentals for all aspects of songwriting. You will learn advanced tools and strategies to generate better ideas, develop them, and work with structure and form in order to build them into great songs. In this course we will particularly dig deeper into the art & skill of writing melodies and harmony exploring advanced techniques in both worlds as well as studying a unified theory of harmony and melody writing. In Songwriting 3 students will be working on writing and rewriting songs for their EP project applying the techniques learned in all three songwriting courses.

WA 224 Arranging Songs (2 credits)

This course will cover basic concepts and techniques of arranging songs. Practically, students will apply these concepts and techniques to writing music charts for rhythm section, vocals, strings, woodwinds and horns. Students will be using music software (Sibelius, Finale or Musescore) to create arrangements for song assignments as well as their own songs.

WA 227 Recording and Producing (1 credit)

This course introduces students to basic audio recording: including digital recording, tracking & editing. There is an emphasis on critical listening and analysis, as well as discussion of music and musical form. We will also explore how to think critically about music from an artistic view as well as a Christian viewpoint.

WA 228 The Language of Music and Writing (1 credit)

WA 229 The Language of Music and Charting (1 credit)

Students will learn to create professional music charts using music manuscript and the Musescore music software. Basic foundations for writing arrangements of songs will also be introduced including the creation of different types of charts for a variety of styles and instrumentation. This course will be more project-based as students will work on charting their own songs as well as others that will be given for assignments giving them the opportunity to be self-publishers of their musical creations. Students will also practice transcribing melodies and chords as well as identifying intervals and cadences.

WA 232 How Musicians Work (2 credits)

What is the mindset of a “working musician?” What are the essential marks of a musician who is in demand? How does a musician make a living and navigate the new music business realities? How does a musician, singer, artist and one who uses music in ministry best serve an audience? The beginning of a career can be very scary because we don’t always know where or how we should start, especially when it seems necessary to wear so many hats to get things going. This course intends to give students very practical directions and tools in order to start their musical careers with confidence.

WA 235 Music Business

In this course students will have a chance to learn from several highly qualified professionals in the music industry. Students will learn how to select and hire a winning team of advisors and structure their commissions and fees; navigate the ins and outs of record deals, songwriting, publishing, and copyrights; maximize concert, touring, and merchandising deals; understand the digital streaming services; and how to take a comprehensive look at the rapidly transforming landscape of the music business as a whole.

WA 373 & 374 EP Project (Part 1 and 2) (2 credits each)

Recording an EP is where the student does what songwriters, recording artists and songwriting worship leaders do in the real world: they make a record of their creative work. This course is that – recording the EP under the guidance of producers and recording engineers. The course is also about pulling together all the elements of a finished recording: pre-production, recording the various tracks, mixing, mastering and working with a photographer and graphic designer for the packaging (even digital only audio releases are paired with some sort of packaging design and artwork).