Music Production (Certificate)
Program Advisor: Ellen Shanahan
413-236-4703 • eshanahan@berkshirecc.edu
The Music Production certificate program emphasizes recording technology (SONAR; Audacity; and Pro Tools) and utilizes music notation software for creating, editing, printing and publishing musical scores (Finale). Graduates will achieve 29 credits intended for transfer to higher education institutions that offer degrees in related areas such as entertainment business, film, game music, recording arts, and show production. Graduates may also seek immediate employment in recording studios and other areas related to the music production industry.
Expected Outcomes
Graduates of this program should be able to:
- Create and/or follow a musical score;
- Apply knowledge of musical editing software to a recording process;
- Apply the knowledge of basic sound production and sound production equipment;
- Understand and utilize music notation;
- Understand and address practical solo and ensemble musical performance issues;
- Communicate clearly, succinctly and accurately; and
- Transfer to a specializing institution for advanced training and/or degrees in related areas.
Graduation Requirements
To earn a certificate in this program, a student must complete all program credits, plus the following Additional Requirements.
Program Courses
| BCC-101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| ENG-101 | Composition I | 3 |
| MUS-101 | Applied Music I (All Other Instruments) | 1 |
| MUS-102 | Applied Music II (All Other Instruments) | 1 |
| MUS-106 | Fundamentals of Music | 3 |
| MUS-108 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUS-110 | American Popular Music | 3 |
| MUS-132 | Recording Technology - SONAR | 3 |
| MUS-138 | Class Piano I | 1 |
| MUS-156 | Musicianship I | 2 |
| MUS-185 | Music Notation Using Finale | 3 |
| MUS-232 | Recording Technology - Pro Tools | 3 |
| MUS - | Ensembles | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 29 |
MUS: See footnote 1
Additional Requirements
Minimum Cumulative Average
| Overall |
2.000 |
| All required MUS courses |
2.000 |
Suggested Pathway to Graduation
The following is a suggestion for completing the program is one year. The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student’s individual needs.
First Semester
| BCC-101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| ENG-101 | Composition I | 3 |
| MUS-101 | Applied Music I (All Other Instruments) | 1 |
| MUS-106 | Fundamentals of Music | 3 |
| MUS-110 | American Popular Music | 3 |
| MUS-132 | Recording Technology - SONAR | 3 |
| MUS - | Ensembles | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
MUS : See footnote 1
Second Semester
| MUS-102 | Applied Music II (All Other Instruments) | 1 |
| MUS-108 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUS-138 | Class Piano I | 1 |
| MUS-156 | Musicianship I | 2 |
| MUS-185 | Music Notation Using Finale | 3 |
| MUS-232 | Recording Technology - Pro Tools | 3 |
| MUS- | Ensembles | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Footnote
- Ensembles chosen from Choral Ensemble (MUS-120 and MUS-130); Jazz Ensemble (MUS-163 and MUS-164); or Instrumental Ensemble (MUS-151 and MUS-152).