Chair: Evan Shelton
Office: Arts Building, Suite 288
Telephone: 303-315-7450

Overview

The music program prepares students for professional careers related to commercial performance, recording, music business and the entertainment and creative industries, as well as for graduate studies at leading conservatories. More specifically, the Department of Music & Entertainment Industry Studies (MEIS) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Music. Students apply to an intended emphasis and track:

• Performance Emphasis
• Singer/Songwriter Emphasis
• Songwriter/Entrepreneur Emphasis

Music Business Emphasis, on one of two tracks:

• Audition Track
• Non-Audition Track

Recording Arts Emphasis, on one of two tracks:

• Audition Track
• Non-Audition Track

Acceptance into MEIS is on a competitive basis with specific entrance evaluation requirements for both first year and transfer students. All applicants are placed in an enrollment pool and admission decisions are based on several factors, which include an indexed composite score of GPA and an audition (if applicable). Application materials must be received by the deadline.

Prospective students should refer to the MEIS website for current entrance requirements, deadlines and procedures.

All students in MEIS are required to abide by the policies and procedures outlined in the MEIS Student Handbook (available by contacting meis.dept@ucdenver.edu) as well as all university policies and codes of conduct.

Performance Emphasis

The Performance Emphasis includes specialized courses in small performance ensembles, applied private study, contemporary improvisation, and analysis and history. Students gain a diverse set of performance skills in commercial, jazz, classical and experimental music styles. The curriculum includes the presentation of junior and senior recitals. Students are required to pass a Sophomore Proficiency at the end of the sophomore year in order to progress into advanced performance and musicianship courses.

Students must pass an entrance audition to pursue the performance emphasis.

Singer/Songwriter Emphasis

Students in the Singer/Songwriter Emphasis complete specialized courses in the songwriting and arranging repertoire while developing their performance skills through small performance ensembles and applied private study of voice, accompanying instrument and songwriting. The curriculum includes the presentation of junior and senior recitals. Students are required to pass a Sophomore Proficiency at the end of the sophomore year in order to progress into advanced performance and musicianship courses.

Students must pass a singer/songwriter entrance audition to pursue the singer/songwriter track.

Songwriter/Entrepreneur Track

Students in the Songwriter/Entrepreneur Track complete a balance of courses in songwriting and music business to develop knowledge for career prospects as independent musicians.  

Students must pass a songwriter/entrepreneur entrance audition to pursue the songwriter/entrepreneur track..

Music Business Emphasis

(Audition Track¹ or Non-Audition Track²)

The Music Business Track prepares undergraduates for careers in fields such as artist management, music publishing, concert promotion, record production, venue management, label promotion, distribution and entertainment law.

¹

Audition Track (for students pursuing the music business or recording arts emphasis)

²

Non-Audition Track (for students pursuing the music business or recording arts emphasis)

Recording Arts Emphasis

(Audition Track¹ or Non-Audition Track²)

The Recording Arts Emphasis focuses on contemporary analog and digital technology as it is used in music recording, sound reinforcement and media applications (Internet, video games, interactive art installations, etc.). While mastering technology skills and formats, students also study the artistic and aesthetic applications of technology to recording, reinforcement, composition and performance.

¹

Audition Track (for students pursuing the music business or recording arts emphasis)

²

Non-Audition Track (for students pursuing the recording arts emphasis)

Audition Track (for students pursuing the music business or recording arts emphasis)

The Audition Track provides an in-depth study of musicianship/performance through lectures and hands-on learning, while allowing students to specialize in their area of interest. As part of the admissions process, students must pass an entrance audition on a musical instrument or voice.

Students on the audition track must complete three semesters of music theory and ear training & sight singing courses, followed by a semester of jazz theory. In addition, students complete four semesters of class piano. All students in MEIS complete two music history courses.

Audition track students take four semesters of private lessons, culminating each semester in a performance for a jury of faculty. They also take four semesters of general recital, which culminates each semester in a performance for an audience of their peers.

Non-Audition Track (for students pursuing the music business or recording arts emphasis)

The non-audition track provides a broad overview of various musicianship/performance topics through lectures and hands-on learning. This track does not require an entrance audition.

Students on the Music Business (MB) or Recording Arts (RA) non-audition tracks complete one semester of music theory, and either two semesters of ear training & sight singing and one semester of ear training & sight singing, one class piano or class guitar. Students may opt to complete up to two semesters of class piano or can switch to voice class or guitar class. Non-audition track students are required to take additional musicianship course work, including Music in Culture and a music history elective.

Non-Audition Track (for students pursuing the recording arts emphasis)

The non-audition track recording arts emphasis provides an in-depth review of recording arts topics through lectures and hands-on learning. This track does not require an entrance audition.

Students on the non-audition track complete one semester of music theory, two semesters ear training & sight singing, and class piano, guitar class, or voice class. All students in MEIS complete two music history courses.

Students are encouraged to contact the College of Arts & Media at CAM@ucdenver.edu to talk about the differences in curriculum and to determine which track is best suited to them.

See the Graduate Catalog or contact CAM@ucdenver.edu for information about the graduate programs in recording arts and media forensics.

Programs

Faculty

Full Professors:

Erin Hauger, DMA, University of Colorado

Laurence Kaptain, DMA, University of Michigan

Sean McGowan, DMA, University of Southern California

Gregory Walker, DMA, University of Colorado

Mark Rabideau, DMA, University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign

Associate Professors:

Lorne Bregitzer, MS, University of Colorado Denver

Storm Gloor, MBA, West Texas A&M University

Catalin Grigoras, PhD, University Politehnica Bucharest

Sam McGuire, MS, University of Colorado Denver

Paul Musso, MM, University of Denver

Richard Strasser, DMA, Manhattan School of Music

Assistant Professors:

Cecilia Wu, PhD, University of California Santa Barbara

Assistant Professor Teaching Track: 

John Broaddus, MM, Berklee College of Music

Matt O'Brien, JD, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Dango Rose

Alex Thomen, MM, Belmont University

Principal Instructor:

Todd Reid, MM, University of Cincinnati - Conservatory of Music

Senior Instructors:

Peter Ellingson, DMA, University of Colorado

Gregory Garrison, DMA, University of Colorado Boulder

Andrew Guerrero, BS, University of Colorado Denver

Evan Shelton, MM, University of Denver

Leslie Soich, MM, University of Colorado Boulder

Instructors:

Andrew Morell

Associate Professor Emeritus: 

David Bondelevitch, MFA, University of Southern California

Music (MUSC)

Performance Music (PMUS)