For more information, visit the Dallas College Commercial Music webpage and your success coach at your campus.
This is an example course sequence for students interested in pursuing Commercial Music as a Performing Musician. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. Following this pathway will help you earn a Performing Musician Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours (15 hours) required for graduation through instruction by Dallas College. See catalog for official degree requirements.
The A.A.S. degree program in Performing Musician is designed to prepare the instrumental and vocal student for performances in commercial music, i.e., jazz, rock, pop, country/western. This training will include work in performance techniques, styles, solo and ensemble work, repertoire for small and large groups, and actual performances. Courses that complete the degree and Performing Musician Certificate (C) are noted below.
Visit http://www.dallascollege.edu/transfer and select "Transfer from Dallas College," then click on a university to view more information about transferring to that institution. Speak with your success coach to choose courses that will help you to transfer to a specific university.
Catalog Year 2024-2025 You may use this pathway if you entered Dallas College on or before this date.
Degree Type Associate of Applied Science
GPA Requirement Student must earn a GPA of 2.0 or higher
TSI Must be Complete
SEMESTER-BY-SEMESTER MAP FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS
All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students. This is not an official degree plan. See catalog for official degree requirements.
ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE MINIMUM: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS
SEMESTER 1
MUSC 1313 – Commercial Music Theory I (Course also applies to C)
MUSC 1327 – Audio Engineering I (Course also applies to C)
MUSC 2141 – Forum/Recital Intended for repeatability for advanced practice.
MUSI 1310 – American Music This is a core course. (Course also applies to C)
SPCH 1311 – Introduction to Speech Communication This is a Core course.
COMMERCIAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE ELECTIVE*
COMMERCIAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE ELECTIVE* (Course also applies to C)
APPLIED COMMERCIAL MUSIC ELECTIVE** (Select one hour) (Course also applies to C)
CHOOSE ONE:
- MUSP 2103 – Commercial Class Piano (Course also applies to C)
- MUSP 1110 – Applied Commercial Music: Piano (Course also applies to C) OR
- MUSP 1123 – Applied Commercial Music: Synthesizer (Course also applies to C)
* Commercial Music Ensemble Elective courses must be selected from the following: MUSP 1142, MUSP 1150, MUSP 1151, MUSP 1153, or MUSP 2106
** Applied Commercial Music Elective must be selected from the following: MUSP 1101, MUSP 1104, MUSP 1105, MUSP 1110, MUSP 1117, MUSP 1123, MUSP 1127
SEMESTER 1 ACTION ITEMS
- Meet with your success coach to confirm academic and career goals before the end of the semester.
- Meet with your success coach to research your career options and opportunities for job shadowing.
Total Hours: 17
SEMESTER 2
MUSC 1311 – Commercial Music Sight Singing and Ear Training I
MUSC 2141 – Forum/Recital Intended for repeatability for advanced practice. (Course also applies to C)
ENGL 1301 – Composition I This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of "C" or better.
MATH 1332– Contemporary Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning) This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of "C" or better.
CHOOSE TWO HOURS:
- COMMERCIAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE ELECTIVE*
- APPLIED COMMERCIAL MUSIC ELECTIVE**
* Commercial Music Ensemble Elective courses must be selected from the following: MUSP 1142, MUSP 1150, MUSP 1151, MUSP 1153, or MUSP 2106
** Applied Commercial Music Elective must be selected from the following: MUSP 1101, MUSP 1104, MUSP 1105, MUSP 1110, MUSP 1117, MUSP 1123, MUSP 1127, MUSP 1201, MUSP, 1204, MUSP 1205, MUSP 1210, MUSP 1217, MUSP 1223, MUSP 1227
SEMESTER 2 ACTION ITEMS
Meet with your success coach to request an official program of study audit, confirm or update your academic/career path and program of study.
Total Hours: 12
SEMESTER 3
MUSC 1331 – Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) I
MUSC 2314 – Improvisation Theory I (Course also applies to C)
MUSC 2141 – Forum/Recital Intended for repeatability for advanced practice.
PSYC 2301 – General Psychology This is a Core course.
MUSP 1391 – Special Topics in Music-General Performance (Course also applies to C)
COMMERCIAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE ELECTIVE* (Course also applies to C)
APPLIED COMMERCIAL MUSIC ELECTIVE** (Course also applies to C)
* Commercial Music Ensemble Elective courses must be selected from the following: MUSP 1142, MUSP 1150, MUSP 1151, MUSP 1153, or MUSP 2106
**Applied Commercial Music Elective must be selected from the following: MUSP 1201, MUSP, 1204, MUSP 1205, MUSP 1210, MUSP 1217, MUSP 1223, MUSP 1227
SEMESTER 3 ACTION ITEMS
- Meet with a music faculty or success coach regarding placement for the Cooperative Education course, if needed.
- Meet with your success coach for assistance in preparing for job search.
Total Hours: 16
SEMESTER 4
MUSB 1305 – Survey of the Music Business (Course also applies to C)
MUSC 2141 – Forum/Recital Intended for repeatability for advanced practice.
MUSP 1242 – Small Commercial Music Ensemble (Course also applies to C)
MUSC 2319 – Commercial Orchestration
COMMERCIAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE ELECTIVE*
APPLIED COMMERCIAL MUSIC ELECTIVE**
CHOOSE ONE:
- MUSP 1391 – Special Topics in Music-General Performance (capstone) OR
- MUSB 1380 – Cooperative Education – Music Management
* Commercial Music Ensemble Elective courses must be selected from the following: MUSP 1142, MUSP 1150, MUSP 1151, MUSP 1153, or MUSP 2106
**Applied Commercial Music Elective must be selected from the following: MUSP 1201, MUSP, 1204, MUSP 1205, MUSP 1210, MUSP 1217, MUSP 1223, MUSP 1227
SEMESTER 4 ACTION ITEMS
- After reviewing your degree plan and program of study, apply for Graduation.
- Meet with your success coach to apply for the Performing Musician A.A.S. and Performing Musician Certificate.
- Sign up for commencement.
- Join the Alumni Network!
Total Hours: 15
DALLAS COLLEGE PATHWAY TOTAL: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS