Commercial Music

Students in recording session

 

LAVC Commercial Music is a beacon of light among the many music programs in the California community colleges. In addition to a diet of commercial music theory, professors prepare students to actively pursue careers in the huge and variegated field of commercial music. Students gain skill sets in music theory, writing and arranging, ear training, keyboarding, and music technology. Courses emphasize a hands-on approach, developing practical skills in music labs, recording studios, and student ensembles. In addition, many projects are interdisciplinary, typically involving Jazz Studies, Recording Arts, Media Arts, and/or Broadcasting.

Designed and run by veteran music professionals, LAVC Commercial Music offers five Certificates of Achievement and an Associate of Arts degree, all achievable in two to four semesters. Course sequences for all degrees and certificates are detailed with links below. Many courses are transferable to the California State University system. Students who earn the Commercial Music AA degree will obtain important skills for entry-level employment in the music industry or career advancement.

Contact
Chairperson
Dr. Yih-mei Hu
Phone
(818) 947-2346
Email
huy2@lavc.edu
Office Location
Music Building
Office Hours
By Appointment

Department

Music

Pathway

Arts, Media and Design

Programs

Commercial Music Degrees and Certificates

Click the tabs below to find out about the Commercial Music degrees and certificates.

Students earning the Associate of Arts Degree in Commercial Music (Commercial Music AA) have obtained skills for entry-level employment in the music industry or for career advancement. Music 101 is not part of the degree but is a prerequisite for courses in the degree. Students are strongly encouraged to complete Music 101 early in their academic program.

 Commercial Music AA  

 

  • The following Certificate of Achievement can lead to positions as a Musician/Performer:

Commercial Music: Instrumental/Vocal Performer

 

  • The Certificate of Achievement in Commercial Music: Jazz Studies provides the student with career preparation for entry-level positions in the growing field of jazz studies. Students gain requisite skill sets, including mastery of jazz theory and techniques. Students collaborate with other students, arranging and performing jazz in a variety of situations, developing partnerships indicative of those that exist in a professional environment. Students benefit from the hands-on approach offered by Commercial Music faculty, with labs and ensembles being a primary source of both direct and collateral learning.

Commercial Music: Jazz Studies

  • The Certificate of Achievement in Commercial Music: Music Arranging is designed for students pursuing careers in this field. This pathway provides students with skills in music theory, ear-training, notation and arranging techniques, and music software used in the associated fields of Media Arts, Art, Dance and Theater. Students enjoy the hands-on approach offered by Commercial Music faculty.

Commercial Music: Music Arranging

  • The Certificate of Achievement in Commercial Music: Music Notation provides the student with career preparation for entry-level positions in the burgeoning fields of music notation and publishing. The student will learn and apply various music notation formats using computer software. Students collaborate with other students within the Music Department, developing partnerships indicative of those that exist in a professional environment. Students benefit from the hands-on approach offered by Commercial Music faculty, with labs being a primary source of learning.

Commercial Music: Music Notation

  • The Music Technology certificate provides the student with career preparation for entry level positions in the growing field of music technology. Students benefit from the hands-on approach offered by Commercial Music faculty with labs being a primary source of both direct and collateral learning.

Music Technology

Faculty

Full-time Faculty

Name Contact Information
Chauncey Maddren maddrecm@lavc.edu

Adjunct Faculty

Name Contact Information
John Buonamassa

buonamjn@piercecollege.edu

Christian Coulter coultec@wlac.edu
Steve Goomas goomasst@lavc.edu
Irene Gutierrez gutierim@wlac.edu

 

Faculty Profiles

Commercial Music Faculty Profiles

Click below to learn about the Commercial Music faculty.

Photo of Prof. Chauncey Maddren
  • Name/pronouns - Chauncey Maddren

  • Degree/institution - MA - UC Riverside, BA - CSUN, AA - LAVC 

  • Courses taught - Music 101, 111, 118, 165, 200, 201, 202, 203, 211, 212, 213, 321, 751

  • Areas of interest - theory, musicianship, history, pedagogy 

  • Role in department - Full-time faculty and Theory Workgroup Chair

  • Fun fact: I love motorcycles - riding 'em, fixing 'em, looking at 'em, talking about 'em.

 

Learn About Commercial Music

Watch our Promotional Video!

Click HERE for Calendar of Free Wednesday Concerts (or scan the QR code below)

 

 

QR code of Free Wednesday Concerts
Calendar for Free Wednesday Concerts