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Commercial Music
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 Studies in the Bay Area and Top 10 Music Industry school in California. For more info, please contact Dr. Nick Vasallo, Director of Music Industry Studies and Commercial Music, at nvasallo@dvc.edu with 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) |
| MUSX-181 | Introduction to the Music Industry (3) |
| MUSX-182 | Songwriting I (3) |
Commercial Music – Performance
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):
| MUSIC-114 | World Music (3) |
| MUSIC-117 | History of Rock and R&B (3) |
| MUSIC-118 | History of Jazz (3) |
| MUSIC-119 | The History and Culture of Hip Hop Music (3) |
| MUSX-110 | History of Electronic Music (3) |
Commercial Music – Media Composition
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) |
Recommended GE elective (DVC GE Area III)
| MUSX-110 | History of Electronic Music (3) |
Commercial Music – Technology and Production
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.
Choose at least 14 units from these electives:
| MUSX-100 | AV Essentials: Systems and Analysis (3) |
| MUSX-176 | Introduction to Ableton Live (3) |
| MUSX-177 | Introduction to Reason (3) |
| MUSX-175 | Advanced Pro Tools (3) |
| MUSIC-117 | History of Rock and R&B (3) |
| MUSIC-150 | Beginning Piano I (1) |
| MUSIC 151 | Beginning Piano II (1) |
Recommended GE elective (DVC GE Area III credit):
| MUSX-110 | History of Electronic Music (3) |