Music Commercial
16 courses · San Diego City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
MUSC 104 Composition Technology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
This course is a practical study of the fundamentals of technology used for music composition and notation required to work in a professional recording studio or commercial music environment. Emphasis is placed on rudimentary Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) sequencing, notation of music scores, and basic keyboarding / MIDI controller skills. Topics include meter, pitch, chords, and scales. This course is intended for students majoring in music production technology.
MUSC 118 Music Entrepreneurship
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
This course is designed to provide students theoretical and practical applications to build a successful career as a self-employed music artist. Topics range from theoretical, such as goal-setting and building creative discipline, to practical, such as revenue streams, financial planning, and self-ownership. Emphasis is placed on a broad but strong understanding of what is necessary to build a successful life of self-employment in the music industry as well as an education on the specific resources that exist to do so. This course is designed for students interested in music.
MUSC 160 Introduction to Electro-Acoustic Music
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
This course explores electronic music composition in the digital medium with a primary focus on the creation of works of musical art. This course provides students with the fundamental skills required to operate a digital audio workstation (DAW) for recording, editing, and mixing of audio and Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) data. Topics include digital audio, MIDI, signal flow in the professional studio, elastic audio and quantization, automation, signal processing, basic mixing and editing techniques, and audio file formats for delivery. This course is intended for students majoring in music production technology and anyone interested in entry-level employment in the music industry. Students may take industry-based certification exams at the conclusion of the semester. This course is an industry-partner training course.
MUSC 162 Introduction to Recording and Sound Reinforcement
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
This course introduces the theory and practice of sound recording and live sound reinforcement. Students learn the technical aspects of live sound, the aesthetic aspects of mixing live sound, and microphone placement and mixing strategies to accomplish these goals. This course is intended for students majoring in music production technology and anyone interested in entry-level employment in the music industry.
MUSC 170A Electro-Acoustic Ensemble I
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 48-54 hours lab
This course is the first in a series of electro-acoustic ensemble for the study and performance of selected works that involve music technology and commercial music based instruments. Students practice and perform a wide variety of works from different styles/genres as well as original works. Topics include a history of ensemble as well as tone production and basic music theory in performance practice. Emphasis is placed on developing fundamental skills in incorporating and operating music technology along with traditional commercial music instruments intended for live and studio based performance. Attendance at rehearsals and performance is required. This course is intended for students majoring in music production technology or for anyone interested in developing techniques for commercial music performance.
MUSC 170B Electro-Acoustic Ensemble II
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 48-54 hours lab
- Advisory
- MUSC 170A with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is the second in a series of electro-acoustic ensemble for the study and performance of selected works that involve music technology and commercial music based instruments. Students practice and perform a wide variety of works from different styles/genres as well as original works. Topics include composing, writing, and arranging as well as improvisation as an accompanist. Emphasis is placed on developing beginning skills in incorporating and operating music technology along with traditional commercial music instruments intended for live and studio based performance. Attendance at rehearsals and performance is required. This course is intended for students majoring in music production technology or for anyone interested in developing techniques for commercial music performance.
MUSC 170C Electro-Acoustic Ensemble III
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 48-54 hours lab
- Advisory
- MUSC 170B with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is the third in a series of electro-acoustic ensemble for the study and performance of selected works that involve music technology and commercial music based instruments. Students practice and perform a wide variety of works from different styles/genres as well as original works. Topics include improvisation as a soloist as well stage presence and live mixing. Emphasis is placed on developing intermediate skills in incorporating and operating music technology along with traditional commercial music instruments intended for live and studio based performance. Attendance at rehearsals and performance is required. This course is intended for students majoring in music production technology or for anyone interested in developing techniques for commercial music performance.
MUSC 170D Electro-Acoustic Ensemble IV
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 48-54 hours lab
- Advisory
- MUSC 170C with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is the forth in a series of electro-acoustic ensemble for the study and performance of selected works that involve music technology and commercial music based instruments. Students practice and perform a wide variety of works from different styles/genres as well as original works. Topics include studio session musician skills, leading and conducting an ensemble, troubleshooting live performance technology issues as well as recording a live mix. Emphasis is placed on developing advanced skills in incorporating and operating music technology along with traditional commercial music instruments intended for live and studio based performance. Attendance at rehearsals and performance is required. This course is intended for students majoring in music production technology or for anyone interested in developing techniques for commercial music performance.
MUSC 220A Music Marketing and Promotion I
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 8 - 9 hours lecture/72-81 hours lab
This is the first in a series of music marketing and promotion courses. Students are introduced to concepts of budgeting, project management, talent development, and marketing in the music industry as they assist with the production and promotion of original music recordings and live music performances. This course is intended for students majoring in music production technology and anyone interested in entry-level employment in the music industry.
MUSC 220B Music Marketing and Promotion II
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 8 - 9 hours lecture/72-81 hours lab
- Advisory
- MUSC 220A with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This is the second in a series of music marketing and promotion courses. Students coordinate the production and promotion of original music recordings and live music performances, gaining hands-on practice with talent scouting, event budgeting, and press release writing. This course is designed for students majoring in Commercial Music and anyone interested in entry-level employment in the music industry.
MUSC 220C Music Marketing and Promotion III
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 8 - 9 hours lecture/72-81 hours lab
- Advisory
- MUSC 220B with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This is the third in a series of music marketing and promotion courses. Students manage a team to create original music recordings and/or produce live music events. Through this process, students learn to create budgets, develop project timelines, and implement event marketing plans. This course is designed for students majoring in Commercial Music and anyone interested in entry-level employment in the music industry.
MUSC 220D Music Marketing and Promotion IV
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 8 - 9 hours lecture/72-81 hours lab
- Advisory
- MUSC 220C with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This is the fourth in a series of music marketing and promotion courses. Students direct a team through the production and promotion of original music recordings and live music performances, learning how to evaluate budgets, timelines, and talent. In addition, they gain experience partnering with recording studios and not-for-profit organizations. This course is designed for students majoring in Commercial Music and anyone interested in entry-level employment in the music industry.
MUSC 252 Sound Design and Digital Audio Post Production
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Advisory
- MUSC 160 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and MUSC 162 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This is an advanced course in audio post-production and synchronization with visual image for video, multimedia, and film. Students use a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) to produce original audio tracks. This course is intended for students majoring in Commercial Music.
MUSC 260 Electro-Acoustic Music Composition
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Advisory
- MUSC 160 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course explores electronic music composition in the digital medium. Topics include sound sampling, musique concrete, multiple types of synthesis, physics of sound, and digital audio theory. Emphasis is on application of techniques and theoretical knowledge to produce original musical compositions. Diversity of style and approach is encouraged. This course is designed for students majoring in music production technology and anyone interested in entry-level employment in the music industry.
MUSC 262 Intermediate Recording and Sound Reinforcement
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture/48-54 hours lab
- Advisory
- MUSC 160 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and MUSC 162 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
An intermediate-level exploration of the theory and practice of sound recording and live sound reinforcement. Students learn the technical aspects of live sound, the aesthetic aspects of mixing live sound, and microphone placement and mixing strategies to accomplish these goals. This course is intended for students majoring in music production technology and anyone interested in entry-level employment in the music industry.
MUSC 290 Independent Study
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 48-162 hours other
This course offers students the opportunity to pursue special interests in music. Projects may include extended research on music subjects addressed in scheduled music classes, as well as topics outside the music curriculum. In this course students have a written contract with their instructor for activities, such as written works, compositions, presentations, performances, or original projects. An Independent Study has to be arranged with, approved, and monitored by a member of the music faculty.