The goal of the Commercial Music degrees is to provide students with a comprehensive
curriculum including education in music theory, composition, performance, technology,
production, and business. These degrees offer a unique blend of the art of music and
the discipline of business. Graduates of the Commercial Music degree can transfer
to 4-year universities which can prepare them for successful careers at major and
independent record labels, motion picture studios, music production companies, music
publishing companies, music libraries, artist management companies, music promotion
companies, or as performing artists.
Commercial Music combines elements from our Music program and Music Industry Studies
program. The Music Industry Studies program at Diablo Valley College is the #1 Career Education destination for Music Industry Studiesin the Bay Area andTop 10 Music Industry school in California.For more info, please contactDr. Nick Vasallo, Director of Music Industry Studies and Commercial Music, atnvasallo@dvc.eduwith any questions you might have.
There are three different Commercial Music degrees with different areas of emphasis:
Performance, Media Composition, and Technology and Production. Each Commercial Music degree share the same core of required courses with different
electives for each emphasis area. Each degree has a total of 36 units for the Certificate of Achievement and 60 units for the Associate in Arts degree.
Required courses:
MUSIC-122
Theory and Musicianship I (4)
MUSX-120
Live Sound (3)
MUSX-124
Introduction to Music Production and Multi-Track Recording (3)
MUSX-172
Introduction to Electronic Music and MIDI (3)
MUSX-174
Introduction to Music Technology and Pro Tools (3)
DVC's Commercial Music – Performance degree consists of comprehensive curriculum that
provides students with a solid foundation in music theory, composition, performance,
technology, production, and business. This degree offers a unique blend of the art
of music and the discipline of business. Students can participate in traditional music
courses such as individual applied music lessons and performing ensembles, while immersing
themselves in music technology. Graduates of the Commercial Music – Performance degree
move into all facets of the music and entertainment industries. Many graduates transfer
to 4-year universities which can prepare them for successful careers at major and
independent record labels, motion picture studios, music production companies, music
publishing companies, music libraries, artist management companies, music promotion
companies, or as performing artists.
Choose at least 14 units from these electives:
MUSIC-100
Applied Studio (1-4)
MUSIC-101
Beginning Guitar (1)
MUSIC-103
Guitar Ensemble (1)
MUSIC-108
Rock Theory and Improvisation I (1)
MUSIC-109
Live Music Production and Stagecraft I (1)
MUSIC-127
Jazz Theory and Improvisation (2)
MUSIC-128
Jazz Theory and Improvisation II (2)
MUSIC-135
Vocal Jazz Ensemble (1-4)
MUSIC-136
Jazz Ensemble (1-4)
MUSIC-137
Jazz Combos (1-4)
MUSIC-150
Beginning Piano I (1)
MUSIC-151
Beginning Piano II (1)
MUSIC-162
Concert Choir (1-4)
MUSIC-166
Chamber Singers (1-4)
MUSIC-168
Percussion Ensemble (1-4)
MUSIC-170
Applied Voice (1-4)
MUSIC-171
Jazz and Popular Voice (1-4)
MUSIC-250
Intermediate Piano I (1)
MUSIC-251
Intermediate Piano II (1)
MUSIC-256
Pedagogy for Studio Music Teachers (1)
MUSX-183
Artist Development in the Music Industry (3)
MUSX-282
Songwriting II (3)
Recommended GE elective (pick one for DVC GE Area III credit):
DVC's Commercial Music – Media Composition degree begins with a set of core music
and technology courses to provide both the conceptual foundation in music theory and
the technical foundation in a digital audio workstation to record, sequence, and mix
music. Graduates of the Commercial Music – Media Composition move into all facets
of the music and entertainment industries. Upon completion of this degree you’ll have
a portfolio of diverse compositions to prepare you for securing work as a film composer,
music editor, film arranger, orchestrator, and more. Many graduates transfer to 4-year
universities which can prepare them for successful careers at major and independent
record labels, motion picture studios, music production companies, music publishing
companies, and music libraries.
Choose at least 14 units from these electives:
MUSIC-121
Introduction to Music Composition (3)
MUSIC-123
Theory and Musicianship II (4)
MUSIC-127
Jazz Theory and Improvisation (2)
MUSIC-129
Counterpoint (3)
MUSIC-150
Beginning Piano I (1)
MUSIC-178
String Ensemble (1)
MUSIC-221
Advanced Music Composition (3)
MUSX-178
Music and Sound for Visual Media (3)
MUSX-221
Orchestration and Arranging for Digital Instruments (3)
DVC's Commercial Music – Technology and Production degree begins with a set of core
music and technology courses to provide both the conceptual foundation in music theory
and the technical foundation in a digital audio workstation to record, sequence, and
mix music. Graduates of the Commercial Music – Technology and Production move into
all facets of the music and entertainment industries. Upon completion of this degree
you’ll have a portfolio of work to prepare you for securing work as a AV technician,
music engineer, music producer, music editor, film composer, and more. Many graduates
transfer to 4-year universities which can prepare them for successful careers at media
venues, major and independent record labels, motion picture studios, music production
companies, music publishing companies, and music libraries.