BM in Commercial Music
89 units
To prepare students personally and professionally for careers in the music industry, the Department of Commercial Music focuses on integrating skills in the areas of music business, composition and arranging, live and studio performance, audio recording, and production. The combination of internship opportunities, a growing network of working APU alumni, and a faculty of experienced professionals offers students access to strategic links within the Los Angeles music industry.
The Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music program seeks to produce broadly prepared musicians with the skills required for a variety of careers in commercial music, and who are able to teach themselves skills and practices in an ever-changing commercial music industry.
Students pursuing this program select from one of five tracks: Audio Recording, Composing/Arranging, Instrumental Performance, Music Business, or Vocal Performance.
Requirements
General Education Requirements for the Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| GE 100 | First-Year Seminar | 3 |
| WRIT 110 | Writing 1: The Art and Craft of Writing | 3 |
| Writing 2 | 3 | |
| Humanities: Literature | 3 | |
| Social Science | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 4 | |
| Biblical, Theological, and Philosophical Formation | ||
| MIN 108 | Christian Life, Faith, and Ministry | 3 |
| UBBL 100 | Introduction to Biblical Literature: Exodus/Deuteronomy | 3 |
| UBBL 230 | Luke/Acts | 3 |
| PHIL 100 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| or HUM 224 | Core Texts in Philosophy | |
| or HUM 324 | Core Texts in Philosophy | |
| Upper-Division Bible Elective | 3 | |
| Theology | 3 | |
| Personal and Social Responsibility | ||
| Intercultural Competence | 3 | |
| Total Units | 40 | |
Commercial Music Tracks
Students must select one of the tracks listed below; they may select more than one track but should be aware that doing so will almost certainly require more than 8 semesters to complete. There is a minimum grade requirement for certain courses in each track. See the appropriate footnote.
Audio Recording Track
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Piano Proficiency | 4 | |
| Music Theory | 12 | |
| Music Theory I (F/S, Fr, So) 1 | ||
| Music Theory II (F/S, Fr, So) | ||
| Music Theory III (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Music Theory IV (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Practical Musicianship | 4 | |
| Practical Musicianship I (F/S, Fr, So) | ||
| Practical Musicianship II (F/S, Fr, So) | ||
| Practical Musicianship III (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Practical Musicianship IV (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Music History | 9 | |
| Writing 3: Baroque, Classical, and Early Romantic Music Literature (F/S, Jr) 2 | ||
| History and Literature of Commercial Music (F, Jr) | ||
| Late Romantic and 20th-Century Music Literature (F/S, Sr) 3 | ||
| Applied Music | 16 | |
| Ensemble Requirement 4 | 8 | |
| Other Requirements | ||
| MUS 296 | Introduction to Music Technology (F/S, Fr) | 2 |
| MUS 441 | Music in Worship (F/S, Jr, Sr) | 3 |
| MUS 210 | Performance Forum (F/S, 8 semesters) | 0 |
| Commercial Music Courses 5 | ||
| MUS 107 | Advanced - Intermediate Piano Class | 1 |
| MUS 223 | Web-Based Tools (S, Jr) | 2 |
| MUS 323 | Arranging and Rehearsal Technique | 3 |
| MUS 327 | Audio I | 2 |
| MUS 328 | Audio II | 3 |
| MUS 337 | Music Business I | 2 |
| MUS 349 | Intermediate Logic Pro | 3 |
| MUS 467 | Advanced Pro Tools | 2 |
| MUS 472 | Audio For Post Production | 2 |
| MUS 474 | Music Career Development (F, Sr) | 2 |
| MUS 494 | Commercial Music Internship | 2 |
| MUS 491 | Senior Recital (Students may take either MUS 491 or 492, F/S, Sr) 6 | 0 |
| or MUS 492 | Senior Project in Commercial Music | |
| MUS 495 | Production Techniques | 2 |
| MUS 394 | Critical Listening Skills For Audio Recording Professionals | 2 |
| Commercial Music Elective 7 | 3 | |
| Total Units | 89 | |
- 1
Meets the General Education Humanities: Fine Arts requirement.
- 2
Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement.
- 3
Meets the General Education Humanities: History requirement.
- 4
See details on the APU website.
- 5
A grade of C or better is required for all commercial music courses or the course must be repeated.
- 6
Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.
- 7
Commercial music electives include all courses listed in the tracks not selected by the student as their primary track. Also included are MUS 321, MUS 422, MUS 320, MUS 423, and 3 units of additional applied lessons. Students may petition to have other upper-division music courses count as commercial music electives.
Composing/Arranging Track
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Piano Proficiency | 4 | |
| Music Theory | 12 | |
| Music Theory I (F/S, Fr, So) 1 | ||
| Music Theory II (F/S, Fr, So) | ||
| Music Theory III (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Music Theory IV (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Practical Musicianship | 4 | |
| Practical Musicianship I (F/S, Fr, So) | ||
| Practical Musicianship II (F/S, Fr, So) | ||
| Practical Musicianship III (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Practical Musicianship IV (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Music History | 9 | |
| Writing 3: Baroque, Classical, and Early Romantic Music Literature (F/S, Jr) 2 | ||
| History and Literature of Commercial Music (F, Jr) | ||
or MUS 351 | Ancient, Renaissance, and World Music Literature | |
| Late Romantic and 20th-Century Music Literature (F/S, Sr) 3 | ||
| Applied Music | 18 | |
| (8 units in applied performance and 10 units of applied composition) | ||
| Ensemble Requirement 4 | 8 | |
| Other Requirements | ||
| MUS 296 | Introduction to Music Technology (F/S, Fr) | 2 |
| MUS 441 | Music in Worship (F/S, Jr, Sr) | 3 |
| MUS 210 | Performance Forum (F/S, 8 semesters) | 0 |
| Commercial Music Courses 5 | ||
| MUS 107 | Advanced - Intermediate Piano Class | 1 |
| MUS 223 | Web-Based Tools (S, Jr) | 2 |
| MUS 322 | Score Preparation and Printing | 2 |
| MUS 323 | Arranging and Rehearsal Technique | 3 |
| MUS 327 | Audio I | 2 |
| MUS 337 | Music Business I | 2 |
| MUS 349 | Intermediate Logic Pro | 3 |
| MUS 423 | Orchestration I | 3 |
| MUS 428 | Arranging II | 2 |
| MUS 473 | Composing for Film and Television | 3 |
| MUS 474 | Music Career Development (F, Sr) | 2 |
| MUS 491 | Senior Recital (Students may take either MUS 491 or 492, F/S, Sr) 6 | 0 |
| or MUS 492 | Senior Project in Commercial Music | |
| MUS 494 | Commercial Music Internship | 2 |
| MUS 495 | Production Techniques | 2 |
| Total Units | 89 | |
- 1
Meets the General Education Humanities: Fine Arts requirement.
- 2
Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement.
- 3
Meets the General Education Humanities: History requirement.
- 4
See details on the APU website.
- 5
A grade of C or better is required for all commercial music courses or the course must be repeated.
- 6
Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.
Instrumental Performance Track
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Piano Proficiency | 4 | |
| Music Theory | 12 | |
| Music Theory I (F/S, Fr, So) 1 | ||
| Music Theory II (F/S, Fr, So) | ||
| Music Theory III (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Music Theory IV (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Practical Musicianship | 4 | |
| Practical Musicianship I (F/S, Fr, So) | ||
| Practical Musicianship II (F/S, Fr, So) | ||
| Practical Musicianship III (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Practical Musicianship IV (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Music History | 9 | |
| Writing 3: Baroque, Classical, and Early Romantic Music Literature (F/S, Jr) 2 | ||
| History and Literature of Commercial Music (F, Jr) | ||
| Late Romantic and 20th-Century Music Literature (F/S, Sr) 3 | ||
| Applied Music | 16 | |
| Ensemble Requirement 4 | 8 | |
| Other Requirements | ||
| MUS 296 | Introduction to Music Technology (F/S, Fr) | 2 |
| MUS 361 | Introduction to Conducting (F, Jr) | 2 |
| MUS 441 | Music in Worship (F/S, Jr, Sr) | 3 |
| MUS 210 | Performance Forum (F/S, 8 semesters) | 0 |
| Commercial Music Courses 5 | ||
| MUS 107 | Advanced - Intermediate Piano Class | 1 |
| MUS 223 | Web-Based Tools (S, Jr) | 2 |
| MUS 323 | Arranging and Rehearsal Technique | 3 |
| MUS 324 | Songwriting | 2 |
| MUS 327 | Audio I | 2 |
| MUS 337 | Music Business I | 2 |
| MUS 423 | Orchestration I | 3 |
| MUS 474 | Music Career Development (F, Sr) | 2 |
| MUS 491 | Senior Recital (F/S, Sr) 6 | 0 |
| MUS 494 | Commercial Music Internship | 2 |
| MUS 495 | Production Techniques | 2 |
| Commercial Music Elective 7 | 2 | |
| Additional Ensemble Requirement (select from the following four options) | 6 | |
| Jazz and Commercial Ensemble and Jazz and Commercial Ensemble | ||
| Commercial Styles I and Commercial Styles II | ||
| Jazz Improvisation Workshop and Jazz Improvisation Workshop | ||
| Commercial Styles III and Commercial Styles IV | ||
| Total Units | 89 | |
- 1
Meets the General Education Humanities: Fine Arts requirement.
- 2
Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement.
- 3
Meets the General Education Humanities: History requirement.
- 4
See details on the APU website.
- 5
A grade of C or better is required for all commercial music courses or the course must be repeated.
- 6
Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.
- 7
Commercial music electives include all courses listed in the tracks not selected by the student as their primary track. Also included are MUS 321 and MUS 422.
Music Business Track
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Piano Proficiency | 4 | |
| Music Theory | 12 | |
| Music Theory I (F/S, Fr, So) 1 | ||
| Music Theory II (F/S, Fr, So) | ||
| Music Theory III (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Music Theory IV (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Practical Musicianship | 4 | |
| Practical Musicianship I (F/S, Fr, So) | ||
| Practical Musicianship II (F/S, Fr, So) | ||
| Practical Musicianship III (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Practical Musicianship IV (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Music History | 9 | |
| Writing 3: Baroque, Classical, and Early Romantic Music Literature (F/S, Jr) 2 | ||
| History and Literature of Commercial Music (F, Jr) | ||
| Late Romantic and 20th-Century Music Literature (F/S, Sr) 3 | ||
| Applied Music | 16 | |
| Ensemble Requirement 4 | 8 | |
| Other Requirements | ||
| MUS 296 | Introduction to Music Technology (F/S, Fr) | 2 |
| MUS 441 | Music in Worship (F/S, Jr, Sr) | 3 |
| MUS 210 | Performance Forum (F/S, 8 semesters) | 0 |
| Commercial Music Courses 5 | ||
| MUS 107 | Advanced - Intermediate Piano Class | 1 |
| MUS 223 | Web-Based Tools (S, Jr) | 2 |
| MUS 323 | Arranging and Rehearsal Technique | 3 |
| MUS 324 | Songwriting | 2 |
| MUS 327 | Audio I | 2 |
| MUS 337 | Music Business I | 2 |
| MUS 338 | Music Business II | 2 |
| MUS 474 | Music Career Development (F, Sr) | 2 |
| MUS 491 | Senior Recital (Students may take either MUS 491 or 492, F/S, Sr) 6 | 0 |
| or MUS 492 | Senior Project in Commercial Music | |
| MUS 494 | Commercial Music Internship (Must be taken twice) | 2 |
| MUS 495 | Production Techniques | 2 |
| BUSI 110 | Business and Entrepreneurship 7 | 3 |
| Business or Commercial Music Electives 8 | 6 | |
| Total Units | 89 | |
- 1
Meets the General Education Humanities: Fine Arts requirement.
- 2
Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement.
- 3
Meets the General Education Humanities: History requirement.
- 4
See details on the APU website.
- 5
A grade of C or better is required for all commercial music courses or the course must be repeated.
- 6
Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.
- 7
Meets the General Education Civic Knowledge and Engagement requirement.
- 8
Commercial music electives include all courses listed in the tracks not selected by the student as their primary track. Also included are MUS 321, MUS 422, MUS 320, MUS 423, and 3 units of additional applied lessons. Students may petition to have other upper-division music courses count as commercial music electives. Music Business track students may also select electives from BUSI 100, MGMT 210, and ECON 251.
Vocal Performance Track
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Piano Proficiency | 4 | |
| Music Theory | 12 | |
| Music Theory I (F/S, Fr, So) 1 | ||
| Music Theory II (F/S, Fr, So) | ||
| Music Theory III (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Music Theory IV (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Practical Musicianship | 4 | |
| Practical Musicianship I (F/S, Fr, So) | ||
| Practical Musicianship II (F/S, Fr, So) | ||
| Practical Musicianship III (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Practical Musicianship IV (F/S, So, Jr) | ||
| Music History | 9 | |
| Writing 3: Baroque, Classical, and Early Romantic Music Literature (F/S, Jr) 2 | ||
| History and Literature of Commercial Music (F, Jr) | ||
| Late Romantic and 20th-Century Music Literature (F/S, Sr) 3 | ||
| Applied Music | 16 | |
| Ensemble Requirement 4 | 8 | |
| Other Requirements | ||
| MUS 296 | Introduction to Music Technology (F/S, Fr) | 2 |
| MUS 361 | Introduction to Conducting (F, Jr) | 2 |
| MUS 441 | Music in Worship (F/S, Jr, Sr) | 3 |
| MUS 210 | Performance Forum (F/S, 8 semesters) | 0 |
| Commercial Music Courses 5 | ||
| MUS 107 | Advanced - Intermediate Piano Class | 1 |
| MUS 223 | Web-Based Tools (S, Jr) | 2 |
| MUS 323 | Arranging and Rehearsal Technique | 3 |
| MUS 324 | Songwriting | 2 |
| MUS 327 | Audio I | 2 |
| MUS 337 | Music Business I | 2 |
| MUS 474 | Music Career Development (F, Sr) | 2 |
| MUS 491 | Senior Recital (F/S, Sr) 6 | 0 |
| MUS 494 | Commercial Music Internship | 2 |
| MUS 495 | Production Techniques | 2 |
| Commercial Music Electives 7 | 5 | |
| Additional Applied Music | ||
| MUS 389 & MUS 390 | Commercial Styles I and Commercial Styles II | 2 |
| MUS 407 & MUS 408 | Commercial Styles III and Commercial Styles IV | 2 |
| Select one of the following | 2 | |
| Jazz and Commercial Ensemble and Jazz and Commercial Ensemble | ||
| Jazz Improvisation Workshop and Jazz Improvisation Workshop | ||
| Total Units | 89 | |
- 1
Meets the General Education Humanities: Fine Arts requirement.
- 2
Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement.
- 3
Meets the General Education Humanities: History requirement.
- 4
See details on the APU website.
- 5
A grade of C or better is required for all commercial music courses or the course must be repeated.
- 6
Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.
- 7
Commercial music electives include all courses listed in the tracks not selected by the student as their primary track. Also included are MUS 321, MUS 422, MUS 320, MUS 423, and 3 units of additional applied lessons. Students may petition to have other upper-division music courses count as commercial music electives.
Course Requirements Legend
| Course Requirement Availability: | Recommended Year: |
|---|---|
| F = Offered every fall | Fr = Freshman |
| S = Offered every spring | So = Sophomore |
| E = Even year | Jr = Junior |
| O = Odd year | Sr = Senior |
Music Theory Proficiency
The Music Theory Placement Examination is given to incoming students who are not transferring credit for Music Theory I from another college or university. This examination measures the student’s background in music theory and ensures placement at the appropriate level. The examination may be taken online. Students who are not ready for Music Theory I take MUS 120, and upon successful completion of MUS 120, begin the music theory sequence in the next semester. Music theory is taken in sequential order (I, II, III, IV). Before advancing to the next level, a grade of C or better is required. If a C or better is not achieved at any level, the course must be repeated.
Practical Musicianship
Practical musicianship is taken in sequential order (I, II, III, IV). Before advancing to the next level, a grade of C or better is required. If a C or better is not achieved at any level, the course must be repeated.
Introduction to Music Technology
A grade of C or better is required in MUS 296 Introduction to Music Technology, or the course must be repeated.
Piano Proficiency
Commercial music students are required to take the five-semester piano proficiency sequence, MUS 103-107, at the beginning of their commercial music program. A grade of C or better is required at each level or the course must be repeated. Students may, by audition, be allowed to waive one or more of these courses because of previous piano experience.
Grade-Point Average and Minimum Grade Requirements
Music students must maintain a 2.5 GPA for all upper-division music courses (those classified as 300 and 400 level). Students with a cumulative GPA lower than 2.0 or who are on probation are not eligible to participate in a performing group other than Masterworks Chorale. A grade of C or better is required in all courses listed under the subheading Commercial Music Courses, or the course must be repeated. See appropriate footnote.
Performance Forum
MUS 210 meets every Monday at 4:20 p.m. and features a variety of presentations including student recitals, guest artists, and lecturers. Music students must be continuously enrolled in Performance Forum for eight semesters. This class is graded pass/fail based on attendance. Students who do not pass the course will be required to take MUS 353 Concert Music to make up the deficiency. Transfer students must enroll in MUS 210 and an approved ensemble every semester in attendance, up to eight semesters.
Recital Performance
Each performance major must present a solo performance annually in a student recital. This requirement can be met through either a Performance Forum student recital, junior recital, or senior recital. Non-performance majors must present a solo performance annually in either a studio recital, typically scheduled by the applied music instructor, or Performance Forum student recital. In the case of a student who is taking instruction in more than one applied area, recital performance is required only in the primary applied area.
Senior recitals are required of all performance majors during their senior year. Bachelor of Music students pursuing either the Instrumental Performance track or Vocal Performance track must present a junior and a senior recital and register for MUS 491 when preparing their senior recital.
Students giving junior or senior recitals should follow the guidelines in the Azusa Pacific University School of Music Recital Confirmation Packet (available through the School of Music office).
Applied Music
- Students must take at least 16 units in their primary applied area.
- Students must take 2 units of applied lessons the semester of their senior recital.
- Jury examinations are required each semester for all students taking applied lessons. Presentation of a junior or senior recital fulfills this requirement.
- All students, in conjunction with the instructor, are responsible for securing an accompanist for juries by the indicated deadlines. There are three ways to secure an accompanist:
- Faculty may request an accompanist with the Accompanist Request Form available in the School of Music office by the indicated deadlines.
- Faculty may request a specific accompanist by submitting an Accompanist Request Form available in the School of Music office by the indicated deadlines.
- If no Accompanist Request Form is submitted, or is requested after the published deadlines, faculty members are responsible to secure an accompanist for their students.
- Applied lessons:
- Grades for applied lessons are issued based on a minimum of 12 lessons per semester. The grade will be lowered if the student attends fewer than the minimum of 12 lessons. Additionally, if the student does not meet the annual mandatory solo performance requirement, an F will be assigned for the spring semester applied grade.
- The area director will assign an instructor.
- When the student is ill and notifies the teacher in advance, a makeup lesson will be rescheduled if possible. Students should consult their Applied Music course syllabus to determine what constitutes sufficient advanced notice. “No-show” students do not receive makeup lessons.
Ensemble Requirement
In each of eight semesters as music majors, students must participate in an appropriate performance ensemble. The information for the appropriate ensemble for each degree and concentration is clearly articulated in the Undergraduate Music Student Handbook and further communicated through the music student advisement process. Membership in multiple ensembles in a given semester counts as only one semester toward the ensemble requirement. Transfer students must participate in a performance ensemble each semester until they graduate or accumulate eight semesters.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:- Command of Skills: Demonstrate a command of skills required for comprehensive musicianship, including sight singing/ear training, functional keyboard, music technology, and analysis.
- Contextual Understanding: Demonstrate understanding of music in historical, cultural, and stylistic context.
- Creative or Interpretive Utilization: Demonstrate creative or interpretive utilization of skills and contextual understanding.
- Career-Oriented Application: Demonstrate career-oriented application of skills.
- Music and Faith: Demonstrate appropriate understanding of the intersection of music and faith.