<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=3248926035247507&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Skip to main content
Current Students New Students Faculty & Staff Student Log in
    Art

    Visual & Performing Arts

    Commercial Music

    Jobs_Collage-1-768x512

    Are you thinking about a career in audio but aren’t sure where to start? Are you already working in the audio industry and want to advance your career by adding a certificate or AA to your resume? The Laney Music Industry department has information you will need to get your audio career jump-started and moving forward!

    Link To Courses

    Department Overview

    Our curriculum covers a wide range of subjects, including music production, audio engineering, songwriting, and music business. With access to state-of-the-art recording studios and industry-standard equipment, students gain hands-on experience and practical skills. Whether you're looking to become a producer, sound engineer, or music entrepreneur, our program provides the knowledge and tools you need to succeed in the commercial music field.

    Career Opportunities

    There are many jobs in the Music Industry field. Just for example, in the live-sound field, you might want to become a front-of-house engineer at the mixing board in a concert venue or on a cruise ship. If you are more interested in the speaking voice, almost every conference requires an audio and video setup designed to help the audience hear and view the talent. Whether you want to break into the recording industry in front of the microphone as an artist or behind the mic as a music business professional, let’s look at a short list of potential Music Industry jobs.

    • Advertising specialist
    • Agent/manager
    • Artistic director
    • Artist and Repertoire (A&R)
    • Arts manager
    • Composer/arranger/orchestrator
    • Concert promoter
    • Copyright specialist
    • Film music director/editor
    • Forensic Musicologist
    • Lawyer, music industry
    • Live Sound specialist
    • Marketer
    • Music critic/journalist
    • Music editor and publisher
    • Music educator
    • Music librarian
    • Podcaster
    • Publicist
    • Record company manager
    • Retail music salesperson
    • Songwriter
    • Special events coordinator
    • Studio musician
    • Studio/private teacher
    • Talent agent
    • Talent scout
    • Tour manager

    The sky is the limit for music-related careers in the industry, especially with the job opportunities available in the Bay Area market. The Laney College Music Industry program prepares students to seek entry / middle-level positions for virtually any phase of the music industry whether you are in front or behind the microphone. From performing and creating music, learning about copyright law and music forensics, working in music stores or publishing companies, running live sound gear, studio related careers, manufacturer/distribution/retail, teaching and the research of music through the study of music history, theory and more.

    Contact Us

    Department Chair
    John Reager
    Email: jreager@peralta.edu

    Dean
    Elizabeth Maher
    Email: emaher@peralta.edu

    Learning & Career Pathway
    Visual & Performing Arts

    Division
    Liberal Arts

    Location
    Building ?, Room ??? (G-140)

    Campus Map

    Degree & Certificate

    Internship-1-e1624554932890
    Commercial Music - A.A. Degree

    This Degree is designed for music students whose career goals are focused on the recording industry, concert promotions, and other commercial ventures. Students will explore aspects of the music production process including: recording, marketing, and distribution. 

     

    More Info
    Electronic_Music-e1624554853589
    Commercial Music - Certificate of Achievement

    This Certificate is designed for music students whose career goals are focused on the recording industry, concert promotions, and other commercial ventures. Students will explore aspects of the music production process including: recording, marketing, and distribution. 

    More Info
    Live_Sound-768x512

    Internships & Job Placement

    Internships in the recording industry are an incredibly important resource. 

    Laney College fosters great relationships with local businesses and the local IATSE Labor Unions in Oakland and San Francisco. Both the Local 107 and Local 16 (representing technicians, artisans) and the Local 695 Union (Production Sound, Live Broadcasters, Video Engineers and Studio Projectionists) are career paths for live sound, engineering, recording, and other music industry based jobs.

    Faculty

    Dept Chair, Music

    John Reager

    jreager@peralta.edu

    Instructor/Temporary, Music

    Sherlyn Chew

    schew@peralta.edu

    Instructor, Music

    John Gove

    jgove@peralta.edu

    Instructor, Music

    Charles Gurke

    cgurke@peralta.edu

    Instructor, Music

    Kevin Martin

    kmartin@peralta.edu

    Instructor, Music

    Darcee Olson

    dolson@peralta.edu

    Instructor, Media Communications

    Franklin Miller

    fmiller@peralta.edu

    Instructor, Music

    Scott Pratt

    spratt@peralta.edu

    Laney College Enrollment (3)

    Unlock Financial Aid for College Expenses

    Explore the possibilities and find the financial resources you need to succeed.
    You CAN Afford Laney College
    Transfer To A University

    Laney College's AA-T and AS-T degrees guarantee junior standing admission to the CSU system, with priority for local CSU campuses in similar programs. Consult a counselor or transfer specialist for details.

    Go To Transfer Center
    Meet With A Counselor

    Counselors can help you create a Student Educational Plan (SEP) to outline the courses needed for an Associate’s degree, transfer, or certificate, even if you're unsure of your educational goals.

    Go To Counseling
    Uncertain About Your Career Path?

    We provide support with career exploration, self-assessment as well as the major and career decision making process to help all Laney students achieve career satisfaction and success.

     

    Go To Career Counseling