Welcome to Saddleback's Commercial Music Program! This brand new program focuses on three areas: Music Business, Music Technology and Popular Music Performance.
Take a look at our classes, concerts and faculty and please contact me if you have any questions!
An introduction to computerized music creation using Ableton Live. Topics will include an overview of the digital audio workstation, software and hardware setup, midi, virtual instruments, drum rack, signal processing and controllers. Emphasis will also be placed on musical elements such as form, style, pitch, melody, harmony and tempo.
A second-level course in music production. Students will use Ableton Live to study topics such as audio effects, advanced midi effects, sampling, creating loops, signal routing and advanced controllerism. Emphasis will also be placed on studying and emulating dance music styles, including House, Drum and Bass, Dubstep and Hip-hop.
This class focuses on the theory behind sound-recording principles, techniques, and equipment. Students will study the multi-track music recording process, editing and mixing. Class projects use the Digital Audio Workstation, ProTools. Students will receive some hands-on experience with 24 track digital recording equipment.
An introduction course to principals in music technology. Students will study sound properties, hardware, software, midi, sampling and notation software. Emphasis will also be placed on basic audio and midi editing.
Rehearsal and performance of commercial songs and material including but not limited to the blues, classic rock 'n' roll, folk rock standards, hip-hop, current popular music, electronic music and original material. Open to instrumentalists, midi instruments/controllers, vocalists, emcees and DJs.
Explores the popular music songwriting process. Emphasis will be placed on the mechanics of music: rhythm, form, styles, melody and harmony. Students will also explore the relationship between lyrics and music. NR
A survey of the music industry with focus on skill, experience and education needed for careers within the industry. Other topics covered include music publishing, performing rights societies, music licensing, digital distribution, record companies and artist management. This class is currently only offered online.
Dr. Ariel Alexander (Music Production, Commercial Music Performance)
Dr. Ariel Alexander has gained recognition as a Los Angeles saxophonist, composer, educator and entrepreneur. Originally from St Louis, Ariel earned her B.A. at Indiana University and her master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Southern California. Ariel has worked as an arranger, transcriber, orchestrator, copyist and performer for performances by Camila Cabello, Stevie Wonder, Eminem, John Legend, Steve Miller, John Mayer, Anderson.Paak, SZA, Miguel, Ella Mai, Juice WRLD, Bazzi, Nick Jonas, and many more. Her work has been performed at Coachella 2018, the BET Awards, the American Music Awards and the MTV VMA Awards. She also served as an arranger for the Fox TV Show, “The Four.”
As an active member of the music education community, Ariel has presented at the Jazz Education Network Conference, the Technology in Music Education Conference, and the California Music Educators Conference.
In addition to her experience as a performer and educator, Ariel is well-versed in Music Business and Arts Administration. She has served in leadership roles for several non-profit music education programs. In 2007, Ariel founded the mobile recording studio, Rock Star Workshop. In five years, the business recorded over 5,000 children.
Mark Schiffelbein (Multi-track Recording)
Mark Schiffelbein’s audio engineering career has spanned a thirty-five year period and has allowed him to work in the areas of music recording, producing and editing radio commercials and musical scoring for both television and film. After graduating from the University of Southern California he worked full-time in the Orange County/Los Angeles area recording and mixing albums that cover all genres of music. He has an extensive background in designing and constructing recording and media facilities. His teaching career at Saddleback College began in 1989 and he has taught continuously in the Music and Cinema/Television/Radio departments. Classes have included multi-track music recording, popular song writing, radio production, television production, and computer applications for audio production.
Joshua McKendry (Intro to Music Technology)
Joshua McKendry has over 25 years of experience in the fields of music production, audio engineering, music for picture scoring, re-record mixing, audio mastering and live sound. In addition to teaching at Saddleback, Joshua is a faculty member at Cal State Dominguez Hills in the Digital Media Arts Department.
Adam Hawley (Commercial Guitar Performance)
Adam Hawley, currently a resident of Los Angeles, started his music career in the Portland Metro Area of Oregon before moving to Southern California in 2002. He has performed and/or recorded in a myriad of settings with such artists as Jennifer Lopez, The Backstreet Boys, Joss Stone, Natalie Cole, Dave Koz, Lalah Hathaway, Ruben Studdard, Sheila E, Peabo Bryson, Terry Lewis, Larry Graham, Jordin Sparks, Fantasia, Eric Benet, Rahsaan Patterson, Mario, Monica, The Manhattan Transfer, Marc Anthony, Flo Rida, Lil’ Wayne, Wisin Y Yandel, Pit Bull, Phil Perry, Jessy J, Kenny Latimore, Michael McDonald, Tiara Thomas, Montell Jordon, Sally Richardson-Whitfield, Brian Culbertson, Richard Elliott, Euge Groove, Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Take 6, Ray Parker Jr., Nick Collione, Gregg Karukas, Michael Lington, Jonathan Fritzen, Selina Albright, Eric Darius, Jeff Lorber, Jimmy Haslip, Phillipe Saisse, Peter White, Althea Rene, Elan Trotman, Rick Braun, Brian Simpson, Mindi Abair, Keiko Matsui, Peter White, War, John Hendrix, The New York Voices, Marc Antoine, Regina Carter, Chick Corea, The Escovedo Project, Onitsha, Barbara Lewis, Styles P, and Regina King. He holds endorsements with D’Addario, Gibson, Martin, PRS, Taylor, Carvin, Voodoo Labs, Duesenberg, Suhr, Nash, Benedetto, Divided By 13, Orange, Xotic, XTS, and Reunion Blues.
Students will also learn to promote and market their music. The OSA provides students with entry-level skills for employment in the fields of music production, film/tv/game composition, live performance, sound design, music editing and music recording. The OSA also provides students with the music business knowledge necessary to promote their work. The award includes three courses:
Certificate in MUSIC PRODUCTION ENTREPRENEURSHIP
This certificate builds on our Occupational Skills Award, adding additional classes in recording and entrepreneurship. The certificate includes five courses:
Our Commercial Music Performance students perform and study rock, pop, soul, hip-hop and electronic music.
(including Popular Music Ensemble, Electronic Music Ensemble & Soul Ensemble)
Rehearsal and performance of commercial songs and material including but not limited to the blues, classic rock 'n' roll, folk rock standards, hip-hop, current popular music, electronic music and original material. Open to instrumentalists, midi instruments/controllers, vocalists, emcees and DJs.
Some of our current and former students:
Jacob Sampson (AKA DJ SAMPLES)
https://soundcloud.com/jacobsampson
Brian Gomez (emcee) and Chris Trimmer (guitar) from Apollo Bebop
https://youtu.be/26S3wmoilyQ
Zach Churchhill (singer-songwriter, guitar)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1DpW2vM6K0
Christian Oyen (AKA C.D. RAHM)
https://soundcloud.com/cd-rahm
