Music Performance & Technology, AAS
Program Code: AAS.MUSICPERFTECH
The Music Performance & Technology AAS (MPT) degree provides skills in three broad categories necessary to successfully make a living as a professional musician and closely-related fields:
- musicianship and performance skills;
- technical skills appropriate to composition, recording, digital audio and studio production;
- business skills necessary for an entrepreneurial career that generates income from multiple sources at any time, and different combinations of sources over time.
The MPT AAS overlaps both with more narrowly targeted programs such as CCC’s one-year Music Technology certificate, and also with transfer-oriented programs such as CCC’s AS Music degree for transfer to music at Portland State University.
For information, contact Kathleen Hollingsworth, 503-594-6299 or kathleen.hollingsworth@clackamas.edu.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- recognize and articulate the interrelationships of basic musical properties such as rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, texture, and form, when listening, performing, evaluating and composing;
- demonstrate performance proficiency on their instrument of choice and at a basic level on the keyboard by using technique adequate for artistic self-expression, performing music in at least one style appropriate for the instrument and its repertory, chart reading/writing, and showing growth in artistry, technical skills, collaborative competence, and knowledge of repertory through regular ensemble experiences;
- use industry-standard recording techniques and equipment, and other types of music technology studios and equipment;
- complete recording projects that include elements of music and audio in digital format, including MIDI, sound sampling, synthesis, processing, editing, and mixing, and use software/hardware appropriate for these tasks in a professional setting;
- create basic business plans, marketing plans and financial statements appropriate for small music businesses (e.g. showing typical musician income streams in these contexts, marketing via social media and other channels).
Related Instruction Outcomes
COMPUTATION
- 1 course - MTH-050 Technical Mathematics I or MTH-065 Algebra II or higher
- Use appropriate mathematics to solve problems.
COMMUNICATION
- 1 course - WR-101 Workplace Writing or WR-121Z Composition I
- Read actively, think critically, and write purposefully and capably for professional audiences.
HUMAN RELATIONS
- 1 course - COMM-100Z Introduction to Communication
- Engage in ethical communication processes that accomplish goals.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION/HEALTH/SAFETY/FIRST AID
- 1 credit - See Related Instruction for course list
- Use effective life skills to improve and maintain mental and physical wellbeing.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term | Credits | |
| MUP-150 | Contemporary Music Ensemble | 2.00 |
| Select one of the following: 1 | 2.00 | |
| Individual Lessons: Audio Tech | ||
| MUS-102 | Applied Music Fundamentals | 3.00 |
| MUS-107 | Introduction to Audio Recording I | 3.00 |
| MUS-111L | Music Notation Software I | 1.00 |
| MUS-131 | Group Piano: Piano for Pleasure | 1.00 |
| MUS-148 | Live Sound Engineering | 3.00 |
| MUS-188 | Performance Attendance | 0.00 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter Term | ||
| MUP-150 | Contemporary Music Ensemble | 2.00 |
| Select one of the following: 1 | 2.00 | |
| Individual Lessons: Audio Tech | ||
| MUS-103 | Applied Music Fundamentals | 3.00 |
| MUS-108 | Introduction to Audio Recording II | 3.00 |
| MUS-112L | Music Notation Software I | 1.00 |
| MUS-132 | Group Piano: Piano for Pleasure | 1.00 |
| MUS-140 | Careers in Music | 3.00 |
| MUS-160 | Songwriting I | 2.00 |
| MUS-188 | Performance Attendance | 0.00 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring Term | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4.00-5.00 | |
| Technical Mathematics I | ||
| Algebra II | ||
Higher Level Math or Statistics | ||
| MUP-150 | Contemporary Music Ensemble | 2.00 |
| Select one of the following: 1 | 2.00 | |
| Individual Lessons: Audio Tech | ||
| MUS-104 | Applied Music Fundamentals | 3.00 |
| MUS-109 | Introduction to Audio Recording III | 3.00 |
| MUS-113L | Music Notation Software I | 1.00 |
| MUS-133 | Group Piano: Piano for Pleasure | 1.00 |
| MUS-161 | Songwriting II | 2.00 |
| MUS-188 | Performance Attendance | 0.00 |
| PE/Health/Safety/First Aid requirement | 1.00 | |
| Credits | 19-20 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Term | ||
| COMM-100Z | Introduction to Communication | 4.00 |
| MUP-150 | Contemporary Music Ensemble | 2.00 |
| Select one of the following: 1 | 2.00 | |
| Individual Lessons: Audio Tech | ||
| MUS-111 | Music Theory I | 3.00 |
| MUS-141 | Introduction to the Music Business | 3.00 |
| MUS-142 | Introduction to Electronic Music I: MIDI | 3.00 |
| MUS-188 | Performance Attendance | 0.00 |
| MUS-218 | MPT Seminar I | 1.00 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Winter Term | ||
| MUP-150 | Contemporary Music Ensemble | 2.00 |
| Select one of the following: 1 | 2.00 | |
| Individual Lessons: Audio Tech | ||
| MUS-112 | Music Theory I | 3.00 |
| MUS-143 | Introduction to Electronic Music II: Sequencing, Audio Looping, Sound EFX | 3.00 |
| MUS-188 | Performance Attendance | 0.00 |
| MUS-219 | MPT Seminar II | 1.00 |
| WR-101 or WR-121Z | Workplace Writing or Composition I | 4.00 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring Term | ||
| MUP-150 | Contemporary Music Ensemble | 2.00 |
| Select one of the following: 1 | 2.00 | |
| Individual Lessons: Audio Tech | ||
| MUS-113 | Music Theory I | 3.00 |
| MUS-144 | Introduction to Electronic Music III: Digital Audio | 3.00 |
| MUS-188 | Performance Attendance | 0.00 |
| MUS-220 | MPT Seminar III | 1.00 |
| MUS-280 | Music/CWE | 2.00 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 97-98 | |
- 1
Lessons must be in same instrument discipline, but may be in different styles.
Career opportunities include:
- musician
- singer
- vocalist
- performing artist
- arranger, songwriter/lyricist
- touring artist
- private studio teacher
- studio assistant
- promoter/ band manager
- director/conductor
- composer
- independent musician
- accompanist
- chamber musician
- orchestrator
- audio-visual technician
- production assistant (media, audio, sound)
- studio technician
For students interested in owning their own business, the Music department highly recommends as preparation for, or enhancement of, an entrepreneurial career, CCC’s SBM-020 Small Business Greenhouse course offered through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Harmony Community Campus. Students create business, marketing and financial plans for their own business and gain access to SBDC resources for startup businesses, including 1-on-1 financial counseling and other support. Note: SBM-020 Small Business Greenhouse does not qualify for financial aid.