Commercial Music Concentration

Concordia’s commercial music program is a diverse, immersive experience, designed to prepare the student for the demands that face today’s music professionals. The curriculum, which emphasizes both musicianship and artistry, extends beyond the classroom as students learn and perform in small ensembles as well as one-on-one study in areas such as performance, composition/songwriting, arranging and music production. Concordia’s close proximity to the Los Angeles music industry provides a fertile ground for creative interaction, collaboration, and a first-rate faculty.

Career Outcomes

Recording Artist
Songwriter
Producer
Instrumentalist for hire
Vocalist for hire
Composer for media (film, television, gaming)
Church musician

Music Scholarships

Commercial Music majors have a tremendous opportunity to apply for scholarships ranging from 40% to over 100% off of tuition! Fill out this online form to introduce yourself to us. It will take 5-10 minutes to complete. Please note: you cannot save and return to this form. Be prepared to complete it in one sitting.

Scholarship Application

Borland Manske Center

for Music, Worship, & Theology

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Meet Your Professors

Steve Young

Program Director | Keyboard

Steve Young is the founding Director of CUI's Commercial Music program. After more than 25 years as a studio and touring keyboard player, composer, arranger, producer and church musician, Steve brings a depth and breadth of knowledge and experience to educating next-generations musicians, preparing them to thrive in the ever-changing landscape of the music industry. Steve has worked extensively in New York City, Nashville and Los Angeles and is at home playing rock, pop, folk or jazz, producing a record for a singer/songwriter, or writing orchestral works. Steve is a graduate of CUI and received his Masters in Fine Arts in Music Composition from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Andrew Doolittle

Guitar

Andrew Doolittle has performed with a broad palette of artists representing a wide variety of styles, including Rita Wilson, Idina Menzel, Taylor Hicks, Joy Williams (The Civil Wars), David Tao (陶喆), A-Mei (阿妹), Patti Page, the Pasadena Pops and the Houston Symphony. He has performed on TV shows including the The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Today Show. Andrew earned his BM in jazz performance from The Oberlin Conservatory of Music and his MM in jazz performance from The New England Conservatory of Music. He keeps an extensive live performance schedule and his guitar work can often be heard in film trailers, video games and TV shows.
Cindy Dicken

Vocals

Cindy has sung on over 50 films such as Spider Man 1-3, Armageddon, Star Trek, Wall-E, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and Ice Age, and was one of five featured a cappella singers on the score of the TV show Glee. She has also been featured onscreen and on the score of TV shows such as Nip/Tuck, The Drew Carey Show, How I Met Your Mother, The Simpsons and Ally McBeal. Some other career highlights include assistant directing a children’s choir for Linkin Park’s concert in Los Angeles, and singing on the Oscars broadcast hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, which included singing backup for Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Hudson.
Mark Converse

Drums

Mark Converse is an accomplished teacher of drum set, Latin and ethnic hand percussion, and symphonic percussion. He has recorded with Daft Punk, Ray Charles, Barry Manilow, and The Sherman Brothers, among other artists. He has performed and recorded with a wide variety of ensembles including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Santa Barbara Symphony, Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony, and the Pageant of the Masters Orchestra.
Ernie Nunez

Bass

Ernie’s versatile and diverse styles can be heard on hundreds of recordings, including those with Jane Monheit, Lou Rawls, Les Brown, Brian Setzer, and scores of others. Ernie was a member of the Brian Setzer Orchestra when the album “The Dirty Boogie” won the Grammy Awards in 1999 for Best Pop Performance by a Group with Vocal for “Jump Jive An’ Wail” and for Best Pop Instrumental of the Year for “Sleepwalk.” He is currently performing with a Steps Ahead tribute band known as Magnetiq, as well as continuing studio work and freelancing domestically and internationally.
Donovan Raitt

Guitar

Donovan Raitt is an emerging voice in the world of modern fingerstyle guitar. At home in rock, jazz and classical styles, Donovan incorporates percussive techniques, strong melodic hooks and innovative performance techniques to create a unique sound all his own. A graduate of the prestigious Studio Guitar program at USC, Donovan completed a Masters in Music in Jazz Studies from Long Beach State University and is currently completing his Doctor of Musical Arts from USC. Donovan is the Director of Music at Aliso Creek Presbyterian Church, has written a guitar instruction textbook, and has released several recordings of original compositions.

Curriculum

In addition to the core musicianship courses common to all music majors, the Commercial Music concentration courses are designed to develop specialized skills and experience that will position students for success in their future careers.

Sample Commercial Music Courses

MUS 204: Songwriting and Analysis
2

The practical application and technique of songwriting, including lyrics, melody, harmony, form and stylistic content.

MUS 216: Music Technology I
2

An introduction to music technology hardware and software, focusing on the tools and methods used to create, prepare and perform music. Topics include MIDI, digital audio workstations, score preparation, live performance systems, and methods of music production. Students will participate in hands-on projects in which they will apply their understanding of basic music technology principles. Students should be able to read musical notation.

MUS 217: Contemporary Music Styles
1

Contemporary Music Styles compares and contrasts various popular music genres from historical, technological and musical perspectives. Students explore the unique role of each member of a modern ensemble through listening, analysis and performance. Emphasis on the historical, musical and technical development of popular music styles including rock and roll, R&B, pop, country and contemporary worship music.

MUS 218: Music Business
2

An overview of the recorded music business including market structure, distribution, publishing, income streams, marketing, copyright, licensing and contracts.

MUS 413: Music Production
2

Explores the leadership, collaborative and technical aspects of studio recording sessions.

View Full Curriculum

Commercial Music Events

Here we love to connect Masters in musicianship with young musicians and audiences to learn from and connect with.

Check back soon to see more events!

View Guest Artists

Opportunities For Music Majors

Academic Opportunities

As a Music major, you can combine your degree with a related minor, or double major. Many Concordia students who major in other fields also choose to complete their elective requirements with a formal program of study in music with a music minor.

Tours

Each year, during the May term, Concordia supports an international music ensemble tour. The cost for student performers is only approximately 25% of the actual cost of the trip.

Italy: Concordia Choir (2014)
Australia: Spirit Bells and Concert Handbells (2015)
Austria: Donne di Canto and Men’s Chorus (2016)
Germany for 500th anniversary of Reformation: Concordia Choir and Sinfonietta (2017)

Performance Groups

Enduring friendships and lifelong memories are formed through participation in Concordia’s top music ensembles. They are not restricted to the top music major performers. Instead, they include any student who wants life enrichment through performance excellence and music ministry. Many proudly take on the title of "honorary music major"! Find out more information about Concordia's performance groups.

4 Choirs
2 Orchestras
2 Jazz ensembles
1 American folk ensemble
4 Handbell ensembles
1 Commercial music ensemble
Numerous chamber music ensembles
Numerous praise and worship bands

Music Performance Calendar

NASM Accreditation

Concordia University Irvine’s Music Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), a nonprofit organization that establishes standards for undergraduate and graduate degree programs at conservatories, colleges, universities, and schools nationwide. The accreditation process, which included a multi-year comprehensive self-study and campus visits by NASM Board members, found that Concordia’s Music Department is a valued member of a group of institutions nationwide dedicated to the highest standards of student education and artistic values.

Get in Touch

For more information about the Music major with a Commercial Music concentration at Concordia University Irvine, we invite you to contact us directly.

Steve Young
Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Commercial Music, Director of Worship Bands
[email protected]
(949) 214-3115

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