Commercial Music AA

The Associate in Arts in Commercial Music is designed to prepare students for careers to perform as instrumentalists and vocalists, to write music (career as a songwriter), record music (career as a producer/sound engineer/audio engineer), develop skills to become an artist agent, to develop an appreciation of various contemporary music styles, and to understand the latest developments in the ever-changing music industry.

Commercial Music AA (Total 28)

Required Courses (Total 21) Complete all of the following

MUSC143A - Live Sound I (2)

MUSC 143B - Live Sound II (2)

MUSC133 - Studio Music Production I (3)

MUSC134 - Studio Music Production II (3)

MUSC141 - Concert Management (2)

MUSC104 - The Music Industry (3)

MUSC112 - Commercial Music Theory (3)

MUSC113 - Popular Song Writing (3)

Required Courses (Total 3) Complete the following number of credits: 3

MUSC102 - History of Jazz (3)

MUSC103 - History of Rock 'n Roll (3)

MUSC107 - History of Women in Rock Music (3)

MUSC108 - History of Hip Hop (3)

MUSC109 - The History of Motown Music (3)

Program Electives (Total 4)Complete the following number of credits: 4

ELEC110 - Fundamentals of Electricity (4)

FTV241 - Beginning Audio Production (3)

MUS291 - Applied Music (0.5)

MUS292 - Applied Music Performance (0.5)

MUSC122 - Stage Voice (1)

MUSC124A - Jazz Improvisation A (1)

MUSC124B - Jazz Improvisation B (1)

MUSC124C - Jazz Improvisation C (1)

MUSC136 - Media Scoring (3)

MUSC142 - Musical Theatre Workshop (1)

MUSC173 - Beginning Jazz Ensemble (1)

MUSC175A - Rock Band A (2)

MUSC175B - Rock Band B (2)

MUSC175C - Rock Band C (2)

MUSC199 - Work Experience

MUSC220A - Commercial Music Ensemble A (2)

MUSC220B - Commercial Music Ensemble B (2)

MUSC220C - Commercial Music Ensemble C (2)

MUSC225 - Commercial Music Ensemble: Special Project (0.5)

MUSC233 - Studio Music Production III (3)

MUSC273 - Intermediate Jazz Ensemble (1)

MUSC274 - Advanced Jazz Ensemble (1)

Program Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate an advanced understanding of and skill level in the use of music technology.

Demonstrate the ability to perform through participation in vocal and/or instrumental groups.

Examine and demonstrate aural analysis, technical skills, structural, and aesthetic features needed to produce quality songwriting.

Demonstrate the ability to analyze and critically evaluate a live musical performance.

Compare, contrast, and assess music industry professions.

This program has been in existence for many years, but has never been through the consortium process. A Program Review is attached for additional completer information 

Average of 5 completion of the certificate for the past 3 years.

Average 1,240 students enrolled in MUSC courses.

The Associate in Arts in Commercial Music is designed to prepare students for careers to perform as instrumentalists and vocalists, to write music (career as a songwriter), record music (career as a producer/sound engineer/audio engineer), develop skills to become an artist agent, to develop an appreciation of various contemporary music styles, and to understand the latest developments in the ever-changing music industry.

The program balances courses in appreciation (3 units), theory/songwriting (3 units), live music production (4 units), recorded music production (3 units), and career knowledge (3 units). Additional program electives (2 units) include each category so students can focus on specific career goals. The AA degree couples the Commercial Music: Level II Certificate with GE courses to give students a degree option.