Basic Commercial Music

Certificate of Achievement Performing Arts · College of the Desert · 2026-2027 Catalog

Digital technology has transformed commercial music, making it possible to produce commercial music without huge budgets, expensive studio set-ups or large crews. Whether the goal is to fulfill a personal artistic vision, market a product or advance a cause, the fundamental need for commercial music remains a powerful one.

In this certificate program, students receive direct, hands-on experience creating commercial music that is entertaining, emotional, sophisticated and compelling. The program covers the primary aspects of commercial music production, including writing, directing, performing, producing, editing and marketing. Students will learn:

This Certificate provides a platform from which to launch further study of commercial music production as well as basic entry-level industry skills, processes and practices. It gives students crucial musical and audio engineering tools. Students emerge with commercial music for their personal or professional portfolio.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Upon satisfactory completion of this program students will be able to:

  1. 1. Students will have the skills necessary to compose, direct and perform commercial music.
  2. 2. Students will have the skills necessary to produce record, edit, mix commercial music.
  3. 3. Students will have the business, marketing and management skills necessary to produce a variety of commercial music events in a variety of venues.

Program Requirements

Program Requirements

CourseTitleUnits
Required Courses (14 units)
MUS 012Fundamentals of Music3
MUS 021APiano I2
MUS 078AElectronic Music Production3
MUS 078BAudio Recording Fundamentals3
MUS 079Introduction to Music Business3
Elective Courses - Select 6 units from the following courses:
MUS 001Music Theory I4
MUS 021BPiano II2
MUS 023AJazz/Rock/Pop Voice I2
MUS 023BJazz/Rock/Pop Voice II2
MUS 050ABeginning Jazz/Rock Guitar2
FILM 002AFilm Production I: Basic Film Production3
MUS 095AMusic Work Experience (maximum of 2 units may be used for work experience)1-2
CERTIFICATE TOTAL20

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