About the Course
Students will be given the supplies needed for this elective.
This elective introduces student musicians to the creative and technical process of music production. From shaping ideas and building beats to arranging, recording, and mixing. Whether students come from a songwriting, instrumental, or vocal background, this hands-on course offers the tools and techniques needed to bring musical ideas to life in the studio.
Students will:
- Learn core production concepts including session setup, workflow, and mixing fundamentals
- Use digital audio workstations (DAWs) to record, edit, and arrange music
- Explore MIDI instruments, sampling, and sequencing
- Build rhythmic and harmonic layers to create original tracks
- Develop listening and critical feedback skills through class discussions and peer reviews
- Experiment with genre and texture to shape their own creative sound
No prior production experience is required, all levels are welcome. New producers will gain a solid foundation in DAW-based creation, while more advanced students can refine their skills and develop a more professional workflow. By the end of the course, each student will have completed several short projects and gained confidence using digital tools to produce their own music.
While this elective can be taken on its own, is is designed to pair perfectly with the core Summer@Cornish morning Musical & Theater Intensive program.
We encourage students to enroll the morning intensive to build a strong foundation, then expand their skills and interests through these afternoon electives.
Explore the morning Musical & Theater Intensive [here], or email plus@cornish.edu with any questions.
How the Summer@Cornish Program Works
Design your own schedule: full days, morning Intensive only or afternoon Electives only!
Three Ways to Participate
• Full-Day Program
• Half-Day Program
• Single Elective
Full-Day Program
• Morning Intensive: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–12 PM
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• Afternoon Electives: Monday/Wednesday/Friday) & Tuesday/Thursday, 1 PM–4 PM
Half-Day Program
Students can select a combination of:
• Only morning Intensive
• Only two afternoon Electives
Residency Program (Optional Add-On)
Available to Full-Day students:
• Evening & weekend activities
• Extra studio time
• On-campus supervision and housing
Related Music Classes
Music Intensive + Audition Prep & Performance
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Songwriting Studio
Songwriting Studio is designed for student musicians who want to explore their creative voice through original music, this elective provides a focused introduction to the art of songwriting within a collaborative studio environment. Students will learn how to transform musical ideas into complete songs through guided writing sessions, ensemble
Composition for Film, Games & TV
This elective gives student composers and musicians the opportunity to explore how music shapes emotion, storytelling, and atmosphere in film, television, and interactive media. Working in a creative, hands-on studio environment, students learn to compose original music for visual scenes while gaining practical skills in digital audio production
Voice for Musical Theater
In this class, students will strengthen skills for confident singing, focusing on character-driven vocals, ensemble singing, and general singing technique. Each student will have the opportunity to sing solo material, as well as group singing. If this is your first time dipping a toe in the world of musical theatre, or if you're looking to brush up
Seattle Music Collective
Seattle Music Collective is a contemporary ensemble experience inspired by the sounds and creative spirit you hear on Seattle's own KEXP. Students collaborate to develop new music rooted in a variety of styles, whether that’s indie, electronic-influenced, alt-pop, experimental, or anything in between. Guided by Cornish teaching artists active in
