Specialization in Songwriting

Program Overview

The specialization in songwriting is designed for Conservatory musical theater majors who have advanced skills in musicianship, storytelling, and song analysis and are interested in establishing their voice as a singer-songwriter. The pace of the curriculum requires students to delve deeply into the songwriting processes, writing one song per week and working continuously on song revision, culminating in a songwriting showcase. In order to ensure success in this program, students must be willing to devote a significant amount of time per week to the creative and technical processes that quality songwriting requires.

Entrance Requirements

The songwriting specialization is only open to Conservatory musical theater majors who have successfully completed their first two years of study, including having maintained satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and the following prerequisite courses:

T-SK 2402 Music Lab 4 (1 credit)
T-SK 2404 Piano Class 4 (1 credit)

In addition, students must receive approval directly from the Theater Division to declare this specialization.

Program Requirements

The specialization in songwriting requires students to complete 10 credits, consisting of the course requirements listed below.

Required Courses

Course Requirements (10 credits total)

T-SK 3463 Introduction to Songwriting 1 (1 credit) or T-SK 3461 Songwriting 1 (1 credit) Year 3, Fall only
T-SK 3464 Introduction to Songwriting 2 (1 credit) or T-SK 3462 Songwriting 2 (1 credit; year three, spring only)
T-SK 4463 Advanced Songwriting 1 (2 credits; year four, fall only)*
T-SK 4464 Advanced Songwriting 2 (2 credits, year four, spring only)
xxxxx Electives from the list below (4 credits total)**

*In addition to successful completion of T-SK 3462 Songwriting 2 or T-SK 3464 Introduction to Songwriting 2, students must receive permission from the Theater Division to begin the year-four Advanced Songwriting 1–2 course sequence.

**Elective Course Options (Registration is contingent upon satisfying course prerequisites or obtaining departmental permission.)

Offered by the Theater Division:

T-LT 3941 Playwriting (3 credits)
T-LT 3942 Dramaturgy (3 credits)
T-LT 79918 Adaptation/Inspiration: Page to Stage (3 credits)
T-SK 3465 Lyric Writing for Musical Theater (1 credit)
T-SK 74910 Piano for Songwriting (1 credit)

Additionally, students may elect courses offered by the Dance Division or Berklee College of Music, such as those listed below. Registration is contingent upon seat availability and enrollment eligibility.

COND-332 Theater Musical Direction (2 credits)
ILPN-253 Keyboard Lab and Improvisation (1 credits)
L-CM 73944 / LENG-338 Microcosm/Macrocosm: Poetry Workshop (3 credits)
MTEC-111 Introduction to Music Technology (2 credits)
M-SK 73912 Introduction to Composition for Non-Majors (2 credits)
SW-116 Essential Guitar Techniques for Songwriters (2 credits)
SW-236 Guitar Techniques for Songwriting (2 credits)
SW-373 Advanced Guitar Techniques for Songwriting (2 credits)

What You Will Learn

Upon successful completion of the specialization in musical theater dance, students will be able to:

hone music notation, arranging, and lead sheet preparation skills to ensure the effective and efficient interpretation and performance of written songs;
develop a strong sense of their songwriting voice, learning techniques for challenging themselves and stretching beyond what comes most easily;
create a sense of character, setting, and dramatic circumstances through the use of music- and lyric-writing techniques; and
curate an extensive portfolio of songs, accounting for variety, contract, and depth within their artistic output.