Academic Highlight: Commercial Music Program at BC
Monday, August 4, 2025
Bakersfield College is proud to offer a variety of academic programs and pathways that provide educational opportunities for students of all ages and career aspirations. Among its many offerings, BC features a focused Commercial Music Program, perfect for students looking to turn their love of music into a professional career.
The Commercial Music Program was first offered in 2017 with a focus on music used in advertising, film, television, video games, and other media. The program is still going strong, and each semester it equips students with training to build a career in the commercial music industry. Commercial music encompasses a diverse range of musical styles, including pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz, and others, and generally appeals to a broad audience.
Joshua Ottum, Professor of the Commercial Music Program, is excited to be part of a thriving educational program that builds careers in music. “We cover a wide range of topics that connect students to crucial touchpoints in today's music industry,” he says, “We offer a music business course that helps students explore ways of approaching a career as an entrepreneur. Our songwriting course gets students familiar with basic structures, harmony, and traditions of songwriting.”
The Commercial Music Program also gives students access to state-of-the-art resources. “Our recording, synthesizer, and live sound courses give students hands-on experience with world-class gear and a sense of how to use these tools,” says Ottum, “Students have access to Bakersfield's most thorough synthesizer collection, a wide array of outboard gear, and a variety of microphones and mixing consoles.”
Please visit the Commercial Music web page for more information and details about courses needed to receive a certificate of achievement for the program. You can also visit the BC Performing Arts Facebook page, where the Commercial Music program posts promotional videos and highlight articles.
The six courses of the Commercial Music Program are offered each semester, and some courses are available online in the summer. You have the opportunity to jumpstart a career in the music industry. “The program at BC is thriving,” says Ottum, “we serve students at any stage in their journey with music. Come join us!”
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