Associate of Applied Science | 65-69 Credits

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Program Description
The Commercial Music AAS degree program is a hands-on technical and artistic program that prepares students for careers in the commercial music industry by providing them with the creative skills to perform high level tasks in that industry, the basic financial and promotional skills to function as entrepreneurs, and the opportunity to build a portfolio of projects that demonstrate their proficiency. Emphases are offered in recording technology, composition/songwriting, and performance.

In the recording technology emphasis, students develop the requisite skills and technical knowledge to install and maintain audiovisual equipment and to make professional quality audio recordings for a variety of media (film, television, radio, commercial recordings, computer games, etc.) with a primary focus on recorded music production. Sound engineers perform a wide variety of tasks. Their duties include setting up, operating, and maintaining the electronic audio equipment used in nearly all radio and television broadcasts, concerts, plays, sound recordings, and movies. They also install and maintain audiovisual equipment in businesses, schools, homes, performance venues, and other settings. There are many specialized occupations in this field.

In the composition/songwriting emphasis, students prepare to work professionally as music producers, composers, songwriters and/or arrangers in the music and multimedia industries. They receive training and gain experience creating music using electronic and acoustic instruments for a variety of professional applications including but not limited to commercial music productions across multiple popular and artistic genres, film and television scores, jingles and music for commercials, and music for video games and other multimedia projects. They compose music with and without lyrics for a variety of commercial uses.

In the performance emphasis, students work to master performance skills as professional instrumentalists and/or singers. The receive private instruction on their instrument (or voice) and practice and perform both individually and as members of ensembles of various sizes in both live and studio settings. They also develop skills in artist management and promotion and learn processes and technologies associated with live and recorded performance production.

Regardless of the emphasis chosen, the program combines a solid foundation in traditional musical and technical instruction with opportunities to gain hands-on experience working on projects modeled after those regularly encountered by professionals in the music and multimedia production industries. These students are also encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to collaborate with students from other programs, such as film or animation, as a part of their education and training.

Career Opportunities
Students completing the degree program will have received training that will help to prepare them for a variety of work opportunities in the music industry, including working as a freelance composer, songwriter and/or arranger, working in a music recording studio, working as a studio musician, touring as a professional performer, pursuing freelance work as a sound designer, and/or running sound for live concert productions.

According to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational, traditionally about 29 percent of broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators worked in broadcasting (except Internet broadcasting), and 15 percent worked in the motion picture, video, and sound recording industries. About 13 percent were self-employed. Among other career paths, an even larger percentage of those who make their living in this field are self-employed and work on a contract basis. For this reason, an important part of the course requirements is designed to teach students the kinds of skills they will need to be successful as freelance artists.

Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx
Books: $500
Supplies: $3,000 (While not required for completion of the program, any professional in commercial music will need to buy equipment for their own project studio eventually. The estimated minimal costs for such equipment and related software is at least $3,000 (and will grow from there as they acquire more equipment over time). Ownership of this equipment as a student would be helpful to the student’s success but is not required as all of the required equipment is available for use in on-campus computer labs.)
Course Fees: $730 (This can vary substantially if students take additional private music lessons or depending on which performing groups they choose to participate in)

NOTE: Fees may vary based upon specific registration and are subject to change.

Program Entry Requirements
A musical background with performance experience including basic piano/keyboard skills and the ability to read music notation are desirable and will benefit students entering the program. Students with insufficient prior preparation may be required to take MUSC 1100  before being allowed to begin taking the required courses in Music Theory.