Diploma in Songwriting and Music Performance (teach out by Feb 2025)

This module deals with the knowledge and skills needed for melody writing in the context of songwriting for popular music markets. You will learn song forms of popular music genres of different markets, primary(motif), secondary(musical form) and tertiary(song structure) components of songs, as well as approaches in creative writing that will culminate in producing what is termed a hit song.

This module aims to develop the quintessential skills of listening to music and analysing it from a technical perspective. This course comprises of 2 segments: 1) from a musician’s perspective, you will learn how to listen to rhythm, time-signature, pitch and the relationship between note intervals, 2) from an engineer’s perspective you will learn how to listen to frequencies and how it affects different instruments (vocals, guitar, bass drums). At the end of the module, you will be able analyse audio materials, identify unique musical ideas and integrate it into your repertoire.

This module introduces you to different approaches towards lyrics writing, as well as techniques of lyrics writing as part of the songwriting process. You will appreciate how lyrics are written differently for different contexts. You will learn how to make use of concepts and various available tools for creative writing. You will also be taught how to systematically and strategically approach the writing process for effective storytelling.

This module equips you with the essential skills to effectively operate professional audio equipment. You will learn how microphones, microphone preamplifiers, and outboard gear operate; safe operating procedures; microphone characteristics, placement and essential studio signal flow to achieve the highest quality of audio production in a professional studio environment. You will apply the knowledge learned in this module to create professional-sounding audio recordings for song productions.

This module aims to prepare students to build a sustainable career within the music industry by providing them with a strong fundamental understanding and overview of the music business. This module will introduce: 1) Various key players in the music industry which includes publishing houses, labels, management companies, publicists, etc. 2) Singapore copyright laws and employment rights for a freelancer. 3) Impart practical skills like creating a feasible online portfolio, building a network, understanding target audiences, social media management and more.

This module introduces you to concepts in creative thinking, in a general sense not necessarily and specifically only targeted directly at any aspects of the songwriting process per se. The lessons for this module are filled with class activities that inform, inspire and allow students to explore and question what creativity is, how it may be evoked, and how it can be guided to fruition. Understanding creative thinking in a general sense would then allow you to translate this skill to different aspects of the songwriting processes as students move on to these aspects in your practices when you encounter the various other modules in this course, and indeed also as you develop into professional songwriting practitioners.

This module equips you with diverse skill sets required to be an artist, public figure and singer-songwriter. Apart from introducing advanced techniques in singing, the module sets you thinking about issues of communication and presentation when artists interact with the various segments of the public, be it fans, media or industry partners. It is pertinent that an artist is self-aware of the image you portray to the public, and that the artist learns to develop and maintain his or her own public persona as distinct and separate from his or her private persona, and this module aims to achieve that goal. You will also learn about personal grooming and wardrobe management.

This module equips students with the necessary skills to conceptualise and execute a music video. You will learn how to create a storyboard and make a case for your stories. You will also learn about the technical aspects of video production ranging from on-site shooting to post-production video editing.

As the keyboard offers the widest range of sound and songwriting process with the DAW, all students of the Diploma in Songwriting and Performance are required to develop their proficiency in the instrument. The module will guide you through the fundamentals, including chord progressions, performance techniques, and basic music theory.

This module equips you with the necessary skills to handle a live performance environment. You will be taught how to react and handle stage dynamics with other performers and also if you are performing on your own. You will also be exposed to various supporting tools which will aid you in creating a better showcase.

This module equips students with fundamental concepts related to music marketing, branding, media management, music distribution and agreements. Students will get an overview and gain insights to the general ecosystem within the music industry and how they might fit into the picture. Students will also be equipped with skills and the mindset necessary to navigate the ever changing music industry.

This module equips you with the physiological knowledge of how vocalisation works so that you understand how to better control your vocals for more effective singing, as well as how to maintain vocal health which is very crucial for a professional career in singing. You will also learn advanced singing techniques for different genres of music as well as strategies for effective live performance.

This lesson aims to equip students with working knowledge on music theory. Students will be equipped to understand the fundamentals of western music theory like major and minor scales, interval theory and more. Students will also learn basic keyboard skills in this module to equip them with a foundation to play an instrument.

Note: This module will be available in Term 1, 2022.

As part of the curriculum, you are required to undertake a project supervised by the facilitators. The Final Year Project Committee of our school will be entrusted to oversee the coordination of all final year projects. The Committee has prepared this set of guidelines so that you are aware of the various project requirements in terms of project schedule, project report, and presentation.

This programme is a non-graded programme which pairs up trainees with current industry professionals to develop your industrial awareness. Through constant 1 to 1 with your mentors, you will be able to obtain first-hand information on how the music industry is changing and thus better hone skills which are suitable to meet the upcoming challenges. Through your interaction with them, the mentors will also provide feedback to improve your craft, enabling you to enter the industry as industry-ready musicians capable of producing world-standard hits.