Commercial Music (AS Degree S0876)
Arts Division
Degree S0876
A degree in Commercial Music prepares students for entry-level work in the commercial music industry. The program includes music and audio courses that cover the performance, creative, technical, and business concepts needed to succeed in the field of commercial music. Students will learn to write, compose, and arrange modern commercial music; perform commercial music in live and recording settings; produce, record, and mix commercial music; collaborate effectively in commercial music settings; and integrate commercial music practices in a variety of musical and non-musical settings. This program is distinct from our Music program because it addresses modern, commercial music rather than traditional music genres. It also relies on digital music technologies more than traditional instruments. It differs from our Audio Arts program in that it is focused on the creation and production of music rather than the technical operation of audio equipment. The Commercial Music degree provides a balance of performance, creative, and technical skills not found in these related programs on campus. Because the commercial music industry is highly competitive, job placement is not guaranteed. However, the Los Angeles area is the center of the industry and graduates will be well-positioned for jobs and careers such as musical performer, music producer, music director, songwriter, sound designer, disc jockey, music scorer, copyist, and sound editor. Enrollment is open to all interested students although previous experience with musical performance and music technology is recommended.
Required Courses
| Course Prefix | Course Name | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 29 | |
| Music Fundamentals for Musicians | ||
| Music Theory I | ||
| Musicianship I | ||
| Individual Instruction (take 4 times for 2 units) | ||
| Piano II | ||
| Fundamentals of Audio Technology | ||
| Introduction to Music Production | ||
| Business of Audio Production | ||
| Audio Recording | ||
| Live Sound Engineering | ||
| Songwriting | ||
| Required Electives | ||
| Choose 3 units from the following list | 3 | |
| Audio Production | ||
| Audio for Multimedia | ||
| Sound Performance and Synthesis | ||
| Choose 3 units from the following list | 3 | |
| History of Jazz | ||
| World Music | ||
| American Folk Music | ||
| American Folk Music - Honors | ||
| Rock Music History and Appreciation | ||
| Rock Music History and Appreciation - Honors | ||
| Introduction to Western Classical Music | ||
| Introduction to Western Classical Music - Honors | ||
| Women in Music | ||
| Film Music Appreciation | ||
| Music and Culture of Hip Hop | ||
| Music and Culture of Hip-Hop - Honors | ||
| Western Music History I: Antiquity to 1750 | ||
| Western Music History II: 1750 to Present | ||
| Choose 4 units from the following list | 4 | |
| Chamber Music | ||
| Choral Workshop | ||
| Collegiate Chorale | ||
| Concert Choir | ||
| Opera Scenes | ||
| Women's Vocal Ensemble | ||
| Wind Symphony | ||
| Ensemble | ||
| Laboratory Band | ||
| Vocal Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Chamber Singers | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Men's Vocal Ensemble | ||
| Wind Ensemble | ||
| Jazz Improvisation and Performance Choir | ||
| Contemporary A Cappella Ensemble | ||
| Madrigal Singers | ||
| DJ Performance | ||
| Pop/Rock Band | ||
| Advanced Commercial Music Ensemble | ||
| Total Units | 39 | |
