Commercial Music
Certificate of Achievement Arts, Communication & Humanities · Bakersfield College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Commercial Music Certificate of Achievement
The Commercial Music Certificate of Achievement provides experience and exposure to key components of commercial music, allowing students to combine their passions for technology and music. Students will gain basic knowledge in technologies crucial to the modern recording studio, including use of popular digital audio workstations such as Logic and Pro Tools. Exposure to sound synthesis will provide perspective on the infrastructure of today’s music software. Experience with audio hardware and software, along with courses in music business and commercial music composition will provide skills necessary to pursue a career in audio engineering, production, performance, composition, promotion, publishing, and many other options. The Commercial Music Ensemble is a 1 credit ensemble that students are welcome to join and put to use the skills they learn in the CA courses. This is not required, but serves to mimic real world commercial music opportunities and challenges. Career Opportunities: Recording Studio Engineer, Live Sound Engineer, Private Music Instructor, Instrument Designer Music Marketing, Booking Agent, Performing Musician, Composer, Audio Editor. To Achieve the Certificate of Achievement: Upon completion of the required courses with at least a ‘C’ or ‘P’ grade in each course, the student will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement.
Program Learning Outcomes
1. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to identify and make use of pertinent components of audio recording systems, digital audio workstations, and other musical technologies affiliated with commercial music applications. Assessment:We will compile student scores across commercial music courses for the SLOs that meet the concepts listed in this PLO.
2. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to demonstrate knowledge and application of key concepts in music business. Concepts include digital marketing, contracts, publishing, royalties, and booking. Assessment:We will compile student scores across commercial music courses for the SLOs that meet the concepts listed in this PLO.
3. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to identify and make use of relationships between audio hardware and software. Concepts include consoles, software synthesis, analog synthesis, microphone and microphone technique, signal processing, mixing, and mastering. Assessment:We will compile student scores across commercial music courses for the SLOs that meet the concepts listed in this PLO
4. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to demonstrate knowledge and familiarity with commercial music composition. Concepts include composing within genres and styles relevant to commercial music, creating production music and jingles, creating composition reel Assessment:We will compile student scores across commercial music courses for the SLOs that meet the concepts listed in this PLO.