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1004.00The degree in Popular Music prepares students for a career in one of the many areas of popular music. Students will focus on music performance, composition, and production in a variety of popular styles in preparation for transfer to Bachelor of Music degree programs in Popular Music at the university level or for their career goals in the field. Students develop skills in ensemble performance, understanding the music's theoretical structures, and writing music in popular styles based on the analytical study of important historical works and performers. Musicians in this program will learn the nuances of tone production and develop their stage presence while performing in popular music ensembles and recording music in state-of-the-art recording facilities. Creativity is stressed in this program as students develop their own musical voice.
Popular music majors are expected to declare a primary performance area (instrument or voice), undertake applied lessons on their instrument, produce music in recording studios, and perform in an ensemble while also studying the theory and history of popular music styles and learning about relevant business aspects of the music industry.
PLEASE NOTE: For students intending to transfer, courses identified for the area of emphasis fulfill major preparation requirements as demonstrated through ASSIST.org articulation. Select courses are based on ASSIST.org data for major preparation articulation with selected transfer institutions. Consult with a Counselor for specific information regarding the intended major at the college the student is choosing. Courses used to complete a student's area of emphasis can double count for general education just as they may for any other major. Although the associate degree recognizes the completion of lower division general education requirements, it does not guarantee admission to a specific campus in the CSU or UC system, nor does it guarantee admission to a specific major or a specific community college program. Some majors and schools require a higher GPA than is necessary for the associate degree. Students should meet with a Counselor to determine the lower division major preparation coursework in addition to which general education pattern is required for transfer or for community college programs.
An Associate in Arts is awarded upon completion of all required courses with a grade of C or better.
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate technical skill, artistic sensitivity and creativity in musical performance in a variety of contemporary and popular genres.
- Compose, notate and prepare for performance music in a variety of contemporary and popular genres.
- Produce, using industry-standard tools and techniques, music for recordings that exhibits technical skill, creativity and artistic sensitivity in a variety of contemporary and popular genres.
Requirements for the Major
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 001A | MUSIC THEORY I | 3 |
| MUSC 002A | MUSICIANSHIP I | 1 |
| MUSC 009A | INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION I | 1 |
| MUSC 009D | INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION II (JAZZ/COMMERCIAL) | 1 |
| MUSC 036A | POP-JAZZ THEORY | 3 |
| MUSC 093A | INTRODUCTION TO THE MUSIC BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 2 |
| MUSC 094 | INTRO TO MUSIC TECHNOLOGY FOR MUSICIANS | 3 |
| MUSC 096A | INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC RECORDING AND PRODUCTION | 3.5 |
| MUSP 001 | POPULAR MUSIC THEORY AND SONGWRITING | 3 |
| MUSP 004 | KEYBOARD SKILLS FOR CONTEMPORARY MUSICIANS | 2 |
| MUSP 007 | HISTORY AND ANALYSIS OF POPULAR MUSIC | 3 |
| Individual Instruction III (Jazz/Commercial) 2 semesters | 2 | |
| INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION III (JAZZ/COMMERCIAL) | ||
| Concert Music (4 semesters, 2 units) | 2 | |
| CONCERT MUSIC | ||
| Popular Music Ensemble (4 Semesters) | 6 | |
| POPULAR MUSIC ENSEMBLE | ||
PCC Local General Education or Cal-GETC General Education (23-34 Units) | ||
| Total Units | 35.5 | |
General Education Requirements for the Associate in Arts Degree
General Education Requirements for the Associate in Arts Degree
- General Information
- PCC Local Gen Ed
- Students who have previously been awarded a bachelor‛s degree or higher from a U.S. institutionally accredited institution shall be deemed to have fulfilled the general education and elective course requirements for the Associate in Arts degree.
- Cal-GETC
- Students with rights to the former general education patterns can complete IGETC or CSU GE in lieu of Cal-GETC. Students should consult with an Academic Counselor to determine which general education pattern to complete and may refer to an appropriate archived College Catalog or www.assist.org for more information.