Commercial Music Performance
Commercial Music Performance
Turn your passion for music into a career—right here in Southeast Texas. Â鶹Æƽâ°æ's Commercial Music Performance program prepares you for real work in the music industry, building the core techniques you need for both studio recording and live performance. You'll learn hands-on from industry professionals, gaining the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in a fast-changing field. Whether you're an aspiring guitarist or a seasoned singer ready to grow, this program meets you where you are. With small class sizes and a dedicated faculty, you'll get individualized instruction using the professional instruments, materials, and techniques the commercial music world depends on. You'll become proficient on your instrument or voice, perform as part of an ensemble, master the fundamentals like sight-reading and piano skills, work with today's music technology, and record in professional studios. From instrumentalists to vocalists, the program prepares you for a wide range of careers in studio and live performance settings. Take the first step toward a future in music, close to home.
Top Careers in Commercial Music Performance
A degree in Commercial Music Performance turns your talent into a working career. Graduates step into roles as session musicians, gigging and touring musicians, beat makers, producers, music programmers, and music directors. You can also build a path as a music minister, music teacher, songwriter, composer, or arranger. Whatever your sound, there's a place for it in today's music industry.
Your skills open doors across many corners of the field. Graduates find work in studio recording, music production, and soundtrack production, along with music composition and arrangement. You can perform live or for broadcast, teach the next generation through music education, or move into music programming, music editing, music business, and artist development. Each path puts your training to work in a real, hands-on way.
The wage outlook in Texas reflects real earning potential across these paths. According to O*NET data, musicians and singers in Texas earn an average of $33.59 per hour, with the top 10% making $83.33 or more. Music directors and composers earn an average of $65,570 per year, and the top earners take home $130,290 or more — with strong demand in metro areas like Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston. Wherever music gets made and performed, your skills have a place — and you can build that future close to home.
Schedule a Meeting
Mr. Carl Richardson, B.M.
Commercial Music Instructor & Program Coordinator
Email: richardsoncc@lamarpa.edu
Dr. Blas A. Canedo-Gonzalez
Chair of Commercial Music, Visual and Performing Arts
Sam and Linda Monroe Performing Arts Center Building, Office 144
Phone: 409-984-6547
Email: canedoba@lamarpa.edu
Program Information
| Course | Title | SCH |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||
| MUSI 1303 | Fundamentals of Music | 3 |
| MUSI 1310 | American Music | 3 |
| MUSI 1181 | Piano Class I | 1 |
| MUSP 12XX | Applied Music Individual Instruction | 2 |
| MUSP 1202 | Introductory Group Voice | 2 |
| MUSP 1242 | Small Commercial Music Ensemble | 2 |
| Second Semester | ||
| MUSB 1305 | Survey of the Music Business | 3 |
| MUSC 1211 | Commercial Music Sight Singing and Ear Training I | 2 |
| MUSC 1213 | Commercial Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUSC 1331 | MIDI | 3 |
| MUSI 1182 | Piano Class II | 1 |
| MUSP 12XX | Applied Music Individual Instruction | 2 |
| MUSP 1242 | Small Commercial Music Ensemble | 2 |
| Summer Semester | ||
| PSYC 2301 or PSYCH 1300 | General Psychology or Learning Framework | 3 |
| Third Semester | ||
| MUSC 2211 | Commercial Music Sight Singing and Ear Training II | 2 |
| MUSC 2213 | Commercial Music Theory II | 2 |
| MUSC 1321 | Songwriting I | 3 |
| MUSP 12XX | Applied Music Individual Instruction | 2 |
| MUSP 1253 | Small Commercial Music Ensemble: Rock | 2 |
| MATH 1314 or MATH 1332 | College Algebra or Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| ENGL 1301 | English Composition I | 3 |
| MUSC 1235 | Commercial Music Software | 2 |
| MUSC 2330 | Commercial Music Arranging and Composition | 3 |
| MUSP 12XX | Applied Music Individual Instruction | 2 |
| MUSP 1253 | Small Commercial Music Ensemble: Rock | 2 |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Total | 60 | |
| course | title | sch |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | ||
| MUSI 1303 | Fundamentals of Music | 3 |
| MUSI 1310 | American Music | 3 |
| MUSI 1181 | Piano Class I | 1 |
| MUSP 12XX | Applied Music Individual Instruction | 2 |
| MUSP 1202 | Introductory Group Voice | 2 |
| MUSP 1242 | Small Commercial Music Ensemble | 2 |
| Second Semester | ||
| MUSB 1305 | Survey of the Music Business | 3 |
| MUSC 1211 | Commercial Music Sight Singing and Ear Training I | 2 |
| MUSC 1213 | Commercial Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUSC 1331 | MIDI | 3 |
| MUSI 1182 | Piano Class II | 1 |
| MUSP 12XX | Applied Music Individual Instruction | 2 |
| MUSP 1242 | Small Commercial Music Ensemble | 2 |
| Total | 28 | |
An Â鶹Æƽâ°æ degree in Commercial Music Performance prepares you for real work in the music industry. You'll gain individualized instruction on your instrument or voice, perform as an ensemble member, and build a strong foundation in music theory, sight-reading, piano skills, music technology, and commercial music sound engineering. You'll record in professional studios and learn the music industry principles that turn talent into a career. After completing the program, graduates can:
- Step into the workforce ready to perform. Graduates often start as session musicians, gigging or touring musicians, beat makers, producers, music programmers, or music directors — plus roles like music minister, music teacher, songwriter, composer, and arranger. These hands-on careers are found at recording studios, performance venues, and media outlets across Southeast Texas and beyond.
- Build on real, marketable skills. Your training spans studio recording, music production, soundtrack production, live and broadcast performance, music education, music business, and artist development. That practical foundation is exactly what employers and four-year programs look for — and you build it close to home at a price that fits your life.
With a transfer-ready foundation, you can earn your degree in Commercial Music Performance, move directly into studio or live performance work, and keep building your skills, portfolio, and career on a timeline that fits your goals.
Can I focus on the kind of music I love?
Yes. You'll explore a wide range of popular styles — from rock to rap, country to Cajun — while focusing on the area that fits your goals. You'll develop real skills across many genres, so you graduate ready to perform the music that matters most to you.
Does Â鶹Æƽâ°æ have a dedicated performance space?
Yes. The Commercial Music program has its own Music Hall, used for rehearsals, individual and group lessons, live recordings, and live performances. It's a real space to practice your craft and share your sound.
Are there recording studios and labs I can use?
Yes. You'll have access to three professional recording studios, all open to students enrolled in the Commercial Music program. Â鶹Æƽâ°æ also offers a Mac-based music production and programming lab and a PC-based music composition lab, so you can create and record with the right tools.
What equipment will I be able to use?
You'll work with industry-standard instruments, amplifiers, and recording, editing, and mixing gear. That includes professional equipment from trusted names like Korg, Moog, Shure, Fender, Vox, Ampeg, Apple, Avid, JBL, Soundcraft, and Yamaha — the same tools the pros rely on.
Are there practice rooms and instruments I can use between classes?
Yes. Three soundproof practice rooms are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. When class isn't in session, you can practice in the Music Hall and other classrooms. You'll have access to practice pianos, drums, percussion, keyboards, guitars, basses, amps, and microphones.
How long does it take to complete the program?
You can finish on a timeline that fits your life. The Associate of Applied Science typically takes two years, while the Level 1 Certificate takes about one year. An advisor will help you choose the path and pace that match your goals.
What kinds of courses are in the degree plan?
You'll take courses in music theory, piano, music arranging, and composition, plus music history, music production, and music programming. You'll also gain studio recording experience and individual performance instruction on bass, guitar, piano, drums, or vocals.
Is there job placement support?
Yes. Â鶹Æƽâ°æ offers job assistance through a job board you can access throughout your time in school. After graduation, the job placement office will share your resume with prospective employers, and Commercial Music faculty will help connect you with positions that fit your skills.
The Â鶹Æƽâ°æ Advantage
Ready to turn your talent into a career? Your path in Commercial Music Performance starts right here in Southeast Texas. At Â鶹Æƽâ°æ, you train for real work in the music industry — building the core techniques you need for both studio recording and live performance, with hands-on guidance from industry professionals every step of the way.
At Â鶹Æƽâ°æ, you learn by doing. Small class sizes and dedicated faculty mean you get individualized instruction tailored to your goals. You'll grow proficient on your instrument or voice, perform as part of an ensemble, and master the fundamentals — sight-reading, piano skills, music technology, and the workflow of the commercial music world. You'll practice in a dedicated Music Hall, record in three professional studios, and use industry-standard instruments and equipment in Mac- and PC-based labs.
By graduation, you'll have more than skills. You'll have real experience, a sharpened craft, and the confidence to step into studio or live performance work. It's practical training for a career you love, all at a price that fits your life. Build your future in music, close to home.