Music: Entrepreneurial Arts, Music Composition

The Entrepreneurial Arts: Music Composition Certificate prepares students for all aspects of a thriving music career, from performance to music creation to business skills. We give you the tools to grow and survive as an independent contractor in a gig economy. Career opportunities include multiple aspects of the music industry including live performance in classical and/or commercial styles, composition, performance of original compositions, concert promotion, music marketing, music publishing and distribution, music licensing, project management, studio teaching, and other assorted freelance gigging opportunities. This program will be of interest for individuals looking to proceed to professional practice or to further their academic study.

When this certificate is first offered, it is projected that approximately five students will earn the award. It is also expected that the numbers will increase as more students learn of the program's availability.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

• PSLO #1 STUDENT WILL ACQUIRE PHYSICAL SKILLS/DEXTERITY WITHIN A DISCIPLINE.
• Demonstrate an ability to perform original compositions on a chosen instrument
• Demonstrate an ability to create music compositions in a style of one's choice, be it classical, jazz, or assorted popular idioms
• PSLO #2 STUDENT WILL ESTABLISH AN HISTORICAL, GEOGRAPHICAL, AND CHRONOLOGICAL CONTEXT OF MUSIC.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of evolving music industry economic models and means of gaining employment through them
• PSLO #3 STUDENT WILL LEARN AND USE CRITICAL LISTENING SKILLS TO DISCUSS AND CRITIQUE MUSICAL WORKS AND PERFORMANCES THROUGH SELF ANALYSIS, ENSEMBLE PARTICIPATION, AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of musical literacy and musicianship skills
• PSLO #4 STUDENT WILL BE PROFICIENT IN NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE PURPOSES OR RESEARCH, COMPOSITION, LISTENING, PERFORMANCE, RECORDING, ARCHIVING, AND CROSS-DISCIPLINE COLLABORATION.
• Create a marketing plan that includes promotion tools such as radio, television, and new media, such as YouTube, social networking, and viral campaigns
• Demonstrate an understanding of the various aspects of project management as it pertains to an independent musician, be it rehearsal preparation, concert preparation and promotion, non profit fundraising, and contracts

This new certificate program allows the CRC Music Department to better serve the needs of  students. A certificate program allows the department to retain students who otherwise regularly transfer enrollment to other colleges to meet their academic needs and interests, as well as providing portfolio building opportunities for those students interested in transferring to music composition programs at four-year colleges and institutions. This certificate program builds on the eight-year tradition of the CRC Composers Ensemble, a group under the direction of Professor Kurt Erickson that meets weekly to create and critique new student works, which culminate in a public concert (the only known such opportunity in the California Community College system, much less the State or UC system, to offer student run concerts comprised exclusively of student compositions).