A graduate with a degree in commercial music from a Christian college is perhaps one of the luckiest people. A music major provides a lucrative pay for soothing other people’s souls with sweet melodies. You can study music as long as you have talent, dedication, passion for composing, and the drive to entertain. According to Christianity Today, the career openings for graduates of commercial music include professional music performance, teaching, arts management, journalism and composing. The graduates in commercial music usually join recording companies, music production organizations, record label companies. There are graduates who embark on a career as high-profile artists.
Commercial Music Curriculum
A degree in music starts with a background in western art music history and contemporary world music. The students develop expertise in aural and harmony skills. Commercial music degrees should cover composition, live recording, music technology, live performances, arrangement, and studio techniques. The Christian colleges offering commercial music degree also focus on music business and production. The faculty staffs understand that the graduates might need to compose and promote musical productions.
Music business skills revolve around law and marketing. The learner is exposed to music sociology too. Music sociology units focus on the trends modern music culture, social roles of pop culture, mass media and commercial music. At master’s level, the learner may opt for specialist music major.
In a Christian college, music departments always aim at developing the spiritual, music, aesthetic and academic skills of students. The departments’ objectives are to provide helpful music education together with solid Christian character. The learners are, therefore, expected to master musical, ethical, technological, social, and intellectual abilities. Music education is performance oriented and allows the students an opportunity to acquire valuable skills as they prepare to enter the job market.
Why Study Commercial Music
The Department of Music in Christian colleges objectives are:
- Prepare students for the music needs of society.
- Teach the aesthetics of music and beauty in a variety of musical compositions.
- Acquaint students with universal principles of music composition procedure, musical theory, and the physical properties of sound.
According to the College Board, Christian colleges meet the objectives by teaching a well-developed music curriculum. Together with music theory, the learners are also exposed to the real world of music in live performances. The music faculties are members of the National Association of Schools of Music and local Associations of Departments and Schools of Music. The commercial music curriculum in Christian colleges must meet particular standards set by the accrediting associations.
Preparing to Work in the Music Industry
Commercial music departments in Christian colleges give the opportunity to study the artistic skills and business strategies required in the music industry. Music students can experiment with varied production technique while still under the guidance of music moguls and lecturers. The well-established colleges draw their faculty staff from the business community, producers and composers. An internship program that allows the commercial music students to learn the tools of music trade is incorporated in the curriculum. Students always get the opportunity to work with music companies.
Course Duration
It usually takes three to four years to finish a degree in commercial music. The units in the first year comprise music production, digital music technology, recording, songwriting, performance, music and media. Music law, marketing, music sociology anatomy of music are also taught in the first year, according to Billboard.
In the second year, the studies advance to sound design, music for film, music broadcast, songwriting. By the end of the second year, the learner is already quite skilled in music publishing, international music marketing, and music entrepreneurship.
In the third year, the main topics are live music and musical culture. The students pursuing a degree in commercial music from a Christian college are required to write a thesis and get relevant work experience in this final stage.
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