The Music Industry Certificate of Completion is provided for students through Coastline College’s Special Programs and Services office. This program is a pathway course of study culminating in competent, entry-level job preparedness with a focus on knowledge, practical skills, and personal responsibility.

Courses in this program will be taught by Special Programs music faculty with assistance and mentoring from field professionals. Students will enroll in a series of courses and required participation in a final collaborative performance to earn a Music Certificate of Completion. After receiving this certification, students will have the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to work in an entry-level music industry position such as usher, assistant stage manager, sound/lighting technician, or instrument technician.

Assignments and activities in the four semesters of coursework are job-specific and are organized in a way that builds upon knowledge and experience in a logical way.  Music Performance Survey offers a broad survey of music terminology, instruments, ensembles, notation, and performance experience. In Music Technology, students will delve into the digital world of music performance - sound and lights, music editing, playback, projection, and DJing. Music Organization and Management will prepare students for everyday work life, teaching them practical skills specific to items they will find in Music Industry jobs. For example, they will learn to file sheet music, set up a stage, tune a guitar, and create a playlist. And the final course, Musical Performance, is the crowning jewel of the program. The class will produce a show together, and each student will have two roles in the show -- one on stage and one off stage.  Throughout the semester, the class will work together to choose the show, run auditions, procure necessary supplies and equipment, rehearse the music and staging, market the show, and finally perform it. Students will perform on stage (as MC, narrator, vocalist, or instrumentalist), plus they will either work front-of-house (box office, ushers) or behind-the-scenes (stage manager, A/V) during the event. This culminating performance will demonstrate the skills the students have learned in the previous three semesters, showing they’re ready for work in the Music Industry. It will be their time to shine for their families and the community.

Some students may come into the program with performance experience and may develop some performing skills during this coursework, but it is not the emphasis of this program. Talent in performing is not a prerequisite for this vocational program. The program will be most suited to students who have a passion for music, who want to work amongst musicians, and who want a career supporting music-making in the community.

Program Level Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate skills and experience required to take part in a variety of entry-level music industry jobs.
2. Independently recall and perform best practices while participating in music industry-related activities independently or with faculty, managers, customers, fellow work staff, and students.

 

This award confirms that a student has completed a noncredit program that prepares students to progress in a career path or to take degree-applicable courses.

Course List Hours

Course	Title	Hours
Required Core
Complete the following:
Semester 1
SPED C066N	Music Performance Survey	40
SPED C002N	Problem-Solving in the Workplace	40
Semester 2
SPED C067N	Music Technology	40
SPED C001N	Employability Skills	40
Semester 3
SPED C068N	Music-Organization and Management	40
SPED C005N	Vocational Academics	40
Semester 4
SPED C069N	Musical Performance	40
SPED C061N	Interview Preparation and Readiness	40
Total Hours		320