Commercial Music at UTEP
Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music
The Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music degree is a multi-faceted program designed to equip students to be successful in a number of possible careers in the music industry. As this is, first and foremost a music degree, the following areas are emphasized as being important components of this degree.
Performance
All Commercial Music majors are required to exhibit a high standard of performance as an instrumentalist or vocalist. Specialized one-on-one lessons over eight semesters will allow the student to hone performance skills to a high level. Additionally, students will complete courses in improvisation in their specific performance area.
Arranging and Composing
Commercial Music majors will receive training to allow them to improvise basic accompaniments on the piano and make written arrangements in a variety of styles.
Music Technology
In the twenty-first century, the possibility of success in the music industry without a good knowledge of music technology is very slim. Thus, technology for creating, notating, recording and producing music is an important part of the Commercial Music curriculum. Students will have the opportunity to participate in recording projects with well know guest producers each school year.
Music Business
The music industry is all about the business of music, and knowledge of the history of the music business and current business practices is essential for any career in the music industry. New programs in entrepreneurship in the music industry are continuously being developed. Guest lecturers with successful careers in various areas of the music industry are brought to campus each school year to bring valuable business insight to Commercial Music students.
For more information on degrees, ensembles and complete curricular handbooks, visit our Undergraduate Programs page and our Graduate Programs page.
Career Outlook
Musicians interested in popular musical idioms as performers, managers, promoters, arrangers or composers will have interest in this degree, as will student musicians interested in a career in film/television music, music publishing, contemporary church music, or music business. Many other careers depend on knowledge of music as well as technology, including recording engineers and producers, music supervisors in film and television, and live-sound engineers and managers for touring productions. Manufacturers of musical instruments and equipment used in the recording studio and in the live performance space rely on a high level of music knowledge in hiring sales representatives and support personnel.
Candidates for this program will show aptitude as a performer, arranger or composer. Since there is a major emphasis on music theory in the program, some prior training in music theory and piano will be helpful. Graduates holding his degree will be favorably competitive in seeking employment in the music industry.
Ensembles & Facilities
The Department of Music at UTEP provides ample opportunity for performance in ensembles in a wide variety of styles. The Commercial Music Ensemble is an ensemble with a wide ranging repertoire in a variety of popular styles. “ “Mariachi Los Mineros” is our Mariachi ensemble, emphasizing both traditional and modern versions of this popular style. Two jazz ensembles in a traditional big-band format, as well as smaller jazz combos provide opportunity in the jazz field. Finally, UTEP supports the only Arabic Music ensemble at a major university in the state, “Layali al-Sham”.
The UTEP Department of Music maintains two fully equipped recording studios. These studios are used both for the Music Technology curriculum, and for the recording of events in the department. Several commercially released compact discs have been recorded in these facilities. The Department also maintains a large, fully equipped 24 seat music technology classroom, which allows high impact hands-on experience in the utilization of music technology.
Application Process
If you feel that this degree might be right for you, take the following steps:
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Apply for admission to UTEP. You can do this online at www.utep.edu/admissions
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Apply for a scholarship online at www.utep.edu/scholarships
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Make plans to audition.
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Contact area coordinator Steve Haddad at (915) 747-7818 or sahaddad@utep.edu for an interview.
Commercial Music Faculty
- Stephen Haddad, M.M., Tuba, Recording Technology, Commercial Music Area Coordinator, sahaddad@utep.edu, (915) 747-7818
- Shaun Mahoney, M.M., Guitar, stmahoney@utep.edu, (915) 747-6627
- Jesus Apodaca, M.M., Bass, jdapodaca2@utep.edu, (915) 747-8164
- Christopher Reyman, D.M.A., Piano, cereyman@utep.edu, (915) 747-5606
- Alexander Kariotis, M.M., Voice, Athomaskar@utep.edu, (915) 747-8164
Should you have questions about Commercial Music at UTEP, please feel free to contact any faculty member, or Steve Haddad, Area Coordinator: sahaddad@utep.edu.