Singer-Songwriter / Music Production Programs in Vancouver, BC

Langara College Continuing Studies, Vancouver:
Langara College is one the leading undergraduate institutions in BC providing University Studies, Career Studies, and Continuing Studies programs and courses annually to more than 21,000 students. Langara College Continuing Studies offers a diverse range of lifelong learning opportunities, with over 700 courses and over 35 certificate programs.

The two full-time music programs offered by Langara College Continuing Studies are the 
- One-year Digital Music Production (DMP) Certificate Program
- 14-week Singer-Songwriter Certificate Program

One-year Digital Music Production (DMP) Certificate Program
Program elements include:

- Electronic Music Production:
Students will compose and construct original compositions and remixes with Ableton Live, Cubase, Reason, and some of the leading 'soft synths' in the industry.

Music Theory:
Developing your craft as a music creator involves a dedicated effort to understanding how music is composed and structured. It is essential to speak the ‘language of music’ in order to communicate with other musicians. Our theory courses are designed to provide a strong foundation for DJs, film, television, and game composers, music producers, and songwriters.

Recording and Studio Engineering:
A core focus of the program, students will be introduced to the theory and practice of the professional recording arts. They will understand how music is recorded at a professional level, both in commercial studios and on their mobile setups. Students will learn ProTools with a certified ProTools Instructor.

Mixing and Mastering Music:
All modern music recordings have been mixed and mastered for mass distribution, and students will learn a detailed professisonal approach to the technical and artistic aspects of each.

Composing for Film/Mixed Media/Advertising:
Learning how to compose music for mixed media and trans-media projects can offer significant career opportunities in the industry.

Music Business and Career Planning: 
This career-focused class offers students the core skills required to navigate the creative industries they will be working within upon graduation. Topics include legal aspects of the music business, marketing and promotion, distribution, understanding social media, and website creation.


The Singer-Songwriter Certificate Program
This program gives the aspiring singer/songwriter a complete set of necessary tools to function in today’s music business environment. It is designed to fit the needs of the novice as well as the advanced singer/songwriter who would like to hone their skills as well as gain new knowledge and practical experience in writing songs, performing live, recording demos, and learning up-to-date methods in marketing and promotion. 

It is intended to help students develop their own identities as performing songwriters and develop the skills necessary to compete in the music marketplace. Students will learn all aspects of songwriting, improve their theory and abilities to write for any genre and any situation, have the capabilities to record their songs in a home studio, improve their performance techniques in front of a live audience, and understand both the legal and practical aspects of the music business.

The curriculum was developed with input from professional songwriter-performers, and is both comprehensive and unique in its approach and perspective. At this point in time there is no equal program in either the Greater Vancouver area or in North America as a whole.

The 5 courses are:
- Music Business/Career Planning
- Songwriting for the Singer-Songwriter
- Performance Skills for the Singer-Songwriter
- Music Theory for the Singer-Songwriter
- Basic Digital Recording

The final project for this program is a live performance at a music venue in Vancouver.

Entry into both programs is based on a short interview and recorded examples of an applicant's work.

Once a student successfully finishes the 15 required courses for certification, they receive Lifetime Alumni Status. This means that students may take any course within the part-time Digital Music Production Program at no additional cost, in perpetuity, in order to enhance and update their skills as technology changes.

The Digital Music Program maintains a relationship with some of B.C.'s top producers, film, T.V. and game composers, songwriters, engineers and music business executives in order to review and update courses and overall objectives. Their invaluable input is essential to keeping the program up-to-date and relevant.