Music
Music
Turn your passion for music into a future you can build on. Â鶹Æƽâ°æ's Associate of Arts in Music gives you the skills, training, and real studio time to grow as a musician, composer, and creative professional. You'll develop your craft through studio recording, music composition, live performance, and music education. From your first lesson to your final internship, you'll gain hands-on experience in the kind of spaces working artists actually use — close to home.
Top Careers in Music
A career in music lets you create, perform, and shape the sound people connect with every day. You'll build real skills across the field, learn to read and write music, sharpen your performance, and find your voice as an artist. Your training blends creativity with practical know-how, so you graduate ready to work.
Musicians do a wide range of creative work. You can build a career in studio recording, music production, and soundtrack production. You might move into music composition, music arrangement, live and broadcast performance, or music education. Other paths include music programming, music editing, music business, and artist development.
Your skills travel with you across many settings. Graduates find opportunities with entertainment venues, recording studios, and audio production companies. You can also work with community groups, theaters, advertising agencies, publishing companies, independent soundtrack producers, bands, and music producers.
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.
Strong skills open doors. With real studio experience and a sharp ear behind you, you can grow your career in a field that always needs fresh talent.
Schedule a Meeting
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 | ||
| EDUC 1300 | Learning Frameworks | |
| MUSI 1311 | Music Theory I | |
| MUSI 1116 | Sight Singing and Ear Training I | |
| MUEN 12XX | Ensemble (Instrumental or Vocal) | |
| MUAP 12XX | Applied Music Lesson | |
| MUSI 1181 | Piano Class I | |
| MUSI 1306Music | Music Appreciation | |
| Second Semester | ||
| MUSI 1312 | Music Theory II | |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | |
| MUSI 1117 | Sight Singing and Ear Training II | |
| MUEN 12XX | Ensemble (instrumental or Vocal) | |
| MUAP 12XX | Applied Music Lesson | |
| MUSI 1182 | Piano Class II | |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking | |
| Third Semester | ||
| MUSI 2311 | Music Theory III | |
| MUSI 1117 | Sight Singing and Ear Training III | |
| MUEN 22XX | Ensemble (Instrumental or Vocal) | |
| MUAP 22XX | Applied Music Lesson | |
| MUSI 2181 | Piano Class III | |
| ENGL 1302 | Composition II | |
| HIST 1301 | U. S. History I | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| MUSI 2312 | Music Theory IV | |
| MUSI 2117 | Sight Singing and Ear Training IV | |
| MUEN 22XX | Ensemble (Instrumental or Vocal) | |
| MUAP 22XX | Applied Music Lesson | |
| MUSI 2181 | Piano Class IV | |
| MUSI 1307 | Music Literature | |
| MATH 1314/MATH 1332 | College Algebra/Contemporary Math | |
| Total | ||
The Â鶹Æƽâ°æ Music program is built to move with you — into the workforce or toward a four-year degree. You can earn job-ready skills, build a strong foundation, and keep going when the time is right. Here's how the program sets you up for success:
- Choose the credential that fits your goals. You can earn an Associate of Arts in Music or a Certificate. The Certificate takes just two semesters, and all of those courses transfer to the degree program — so no time or credits go to waste.
- Master real, hands-on skills. Your training covers music theory, piano, music arranging, composition, music history, production, and programming. You'll learn to identify the components of written music, recognize chord progressions and melodies by ear, and perform with confidence.
- Step into a music career. Graduates work in studio recording, music production, live performance, and music education. You can also build a path in soundtrack production, music business, artist development, and more.
- Transfer toward a bachelor's degree. Up to 60 semester credit hours from Â鶹Æƽâ°æ apply toward a bachelor's degree at Lamar University, with an additional 60 hours or more needed to finish. An advisor can help you map your plan from day one.
With real experience and a transfer-ready foundation, you can enter the workforce, continue toward a bachelor's degree, and grow your career on a timeline that fits your goals.
What is the Music program at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ?
The program prepares you for a career in music through studio recording, composition, live performance, music education, and more. You'll study music theory, piano, arranging, music history, production, and programming. It blends creative growth with the practical, hands-on skills the industry depends on.
What credentials can I earn?
You can choose the path that fits your goals. Â鶹Æƽâ°æ offers an Associate of Arts in Music and a Music Certificate. An advisor will help you build a plan that fits your work, family, and goals — close to home.
How long does the certificate take?
The Music Certificate takes two semesters to complete. Even better, all of your certificate courses transfer directly to the degree program, so you can keep building toward your Associate of Arts without losing a step.
What skills will I build in this program?
You'll build practical, career-ready skills the field depends on. Your training focuses on:
- Identifying the components of written music up to the Impressionistic Era
- Playing the piano at a mid-level proficiency
- Understanding performance practice for individuals and groups
- Identifying chord progressions and melodies through listening
- Building a foundation in Western European and American music history
These are the hands-on skills that prepare you to step confidently into a creative role.
Does Â鶹Æƽâ°æ have a dedicated performance space?
Yes. The program has a dedicated Music Hall used for rehearsals, individual and group lessons, live recordings, and live performances. It gives you a real space to practice your craft and perform with confidence.
What recording studios and labs can I use?
You'll have access to three professional recording studios, a Mac-based music production and programming lab, and a PC-based music composition lab. These spaces give you real, hands-on time with the tools working professionals use.
What equipment will I get to use?
You'll work with industry-standard instruments, amplifiers, and recording, editing, and mixing gear. That includes professional equipment from brands like Korg, Moog, Shure, Fender, Vox, Ampeg, Apple, Avid, JBL, Soundcraft, and Yamaha.
Are there practice rooms I can use between classes?
Yes. Three soundproof practice rooms are open Monday through Friday, with access to the Music Hall and other classrooms when class is not in session. You can practice on pianos, drums, percussion, keyboards, guitars, basses, amps, and microphones.
Do you offer internships?
Yes. Music students have internship opportunities, often during your final semester. You might intern at a local studio, performance venue, house of worship, community organization, or with a band — real experience you can add to your resume.
Do you help with job placement?
Yes. Â鶹Æƽâ°æ offers job assistance through a campus job board you can use throughout your time at school. After graduation, the job placement office can share your resume with employers, and faculty will help connect you to roles that fit your skills.
Are there student organizations I can join?
Yes. You can get involved with the American Music Association, the American Federation of Musicians, and the Electronic Music Foundation Student Chapter. These groups help you connect with peers, build your network, and grow in the field.
How do I get started?
Take the first step today. Apply through ApplyTexas, then talk to an advisor about your goals. They'll walk you through enrollment, financial aid, and your course plan — one clear step at a time, close to home.
The Â鶹Æƽâ°æ Advantage
Ready to turn your love of music into a career you can build on? Your path starts at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ. You'll gain the skills, training, and real studio time to grow as a musician, composer, and creative professional — with coursework that blends artistry and practical know-how to get you ready for real work.
At Â鶹Æƽâ°æ, you learn by doing. Supportive instructors and hands-on practice mean you build real skills from day one. You'll study music theory, piano, composition, music history, and production, while performing in a dedicated Music Hall and recording in three professional studios. You'll work with industry-standard gear and practice in soundproof rooms open through the week. Choose the credential that fits you — an Associate of Arts or a Certificate — and build the experience that sets you apart.
By graduation, you'll have more than a degree. You'll have practical skills, real performance and studio experience, and the confidence to step into a music career or transfer toward a bachelor's degree. It's affordable, career-ready training that meets you where you are. Build your future in music, close to home.