Lamar State-PA adds Commercial Music Performance degree

When the 2008 Fall Semester begins, students at Lamar State College-Port Arthur will be able to pursue a new two-year associate degree in Commercial Music Performance.

"The new degree track compliments our Commercial Music associate degree in Sound Engineering Technology, which will be awarded to graduates for the first time this spring," said Michael Judy, director of Music Programs for the college.

Students in the Commercial Music Performance degree track will learn to be versatile professional musicians with the ability to play a wide variety of musical styles, Judy said.

Students can specialize in guitar, piano, bass guitar or drums.

"The goal is to prepare musicians for recording studio work, which requires the highest standard of musicianship and understanding of musical grooves," Judy said.

"A good session musician must be able to play for any kind of recording group, whether it is country, pop, rock, jazz, R&B.you name it." Judy said the new degree program has an emphasis on private study and ensemble participation, in addition to courses in music theory, songwriting, music business, midi interface and acoustics.

Lamar State introduced music courses in 2005.

The college already offers three music-related associate degrees - Music, Teaching Music and Sound Engineering Technology - and a one-year technical certificate in Sound Engineering Technology.

A musical audition is required for admission to the Commercial Music Performance program.

For information or an audition appointment, call Michael Judy at 984-6520, or Jeff Sturms at 984-6343.