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Student recording music on ipad for music production class

Popular Music Minor

Develop Skills in Songwriting, Music Technology and Sound Engineering for Creating and Performing Popular Music

Our Alumni Have Careers As:

Music producers often work in studio settings, create and perform original music in Digital Audio Workstation environments for today’s music consumers on streaming platforms.

Writing and creating music makes up much of the popular music industry, from live performances to studio writing sessions. A singer/songwriter career can take many pathways including writing movie/game music, commercial and/or show music, theatre productions, and more.
Sound engineers are often found in the music industry either in a recording studio for mixing and mastering tracks or on the road as a live sound engineer for performing groups the travel the country for live performances! Sound engineers provide critical expertise for mixing and mastering popular music.
A growing need for music teachers exists in North Carolina and around the country! Music teachers spend their time with students who desire to learn popular music. Teachers are an invaluable and important role in the development of musicians’ skills for participating in music as teachers shape and motivate their students to perform music.

Learn To

Develop musicianship skills on ukulele, guitar, digital technology, drum set, voice and keyboard

Understand songwriting and composition approaches in popular music using digital audio workstation technology from the music industry

Perform music within collaborative ensemble experiences that enhance communication, musicianship and ear-based music making

Popular Music Minor Overview

Interdisciplinary Program

The Popular Music minor is an interdisciplinary program open to non-majors and students majoring in music or music education.

With an emphasis on singer/songwriting, the minor provides students with training in an applied area, songwriting and composition techniques in popular music, and digital technology for writing original songs; courses in musicianship, history and literature; and singer/songwriting opportunities for music performance.

Student Practicing Drums at Rehearsal

Sample Courses in Popular Music Minor

Table shows sample courses for this program
MUS 110 Introduction to Music Technology
MUS 130 (203 and 204) Pop Rock Ensemble and/or Digital Controller Ensemble
MUS 143 Class Guitar
MUS 146 Class Voice
MUS 305 Beat Making
MUS 307 Songwriting
MUS 310 Screen Scoring and Video Game Music
See The Full Curriculum

How Do I Minor in Popular Music?

Students interested in more information or how to apply for the program should contact the program coordinator, Jonathan Kladder at kladderj@uncw.edu. Students will audition on their instrument or voice and should contact the program coordinator regarding how to prepare for the audition. Audition dates are posted on the UNCW Department of Music website.

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