Commercial Music Production

Applicants must submit the required pre-screening materials via getacceptd.com/ccm on or before December 3 in order to be considered for admissions and invited for an interview.

BM Applicants Only: When submitting your pre-screening materials, you will have the option to self-select yourself for additional consideration to the Music – BA degree in the case that you do not pass the pre-screening round.

• At least three recorded examples of the applicant’s original compositions, songs, etc.
  • Any style will be accepted - Classical, Jazz, Rock/Pop, Gospel, R&B, Contemporary, Computer Generated, Film or Media composition. 
  • The recordings may be from live performances, studio or computer generated (sequenced, MIDI, playback exported from Notation software).
  • Recorded examples should be accompanied by documentation in one of the following formats: scores, lead sheets, chord charts or chord charts with lyrics. 
    • The scores or lead sheets should clearly show the notated rhythm, pitches, and chords, if applicable. 
    • The scores should be readable by actual performers. 
    • Please Note: If you are working in a computer-generated music platform such as Logic, Ableton, Pro Tools, etc. -- simply printing a computer-produced print out from the session for the submission is not generally acceptable. However, the score or lead sheets are not as crucial to your acceptance as the music. Many students only have a rudimentary understating of how to use notation software at this stage in their development.
• Contact information for two references; with at least one who can address the applicant’s specific musical qualifications for success in the program.
• The applicant needs to submit an essay discussing their musical background in composing, songwriting, performing, and audio recording, along with their career goals.

• Perform their original music – Each applicant must perform 1–2 pieces or songs they have written. This can be sung or played on an instrument, with or without a backing track.
• Demonstrate performance ability – If an applicant chooses to present a film score with a picture on their computer, they must still be prepared to play an instrument or sing. This can be simple—chords, scales, an étude, a melody, or another short piece—but it helps us assess their musicality.
• Optional: Applicants who wish to showcase their technical skills further may also perform a piece by another composer (e.g., s Beethoven sonata, a jazz standard, or a contemporary work). Since all students will take applied lessons for two years at CCM, performing on an instrument (including voice) is a required part of the audition.

• Applicants should have a major instrument for audition purposes; vocalists and non-traditional instruments are encouraged to apply. All instruments are considered.
• Although this degree includes music production, editing, business and studio technical training, it is important to note that this is a music degree, not a degree in music technology, music industry, audio or recording. Successful CMP applicants are expected to have significant musical training and study.
• Students receive admission to the program based on their songwriting and/or composition abilities, academic potential, passion for music, and career outlook. The program is divided into three areas – writing (songwriting/film scoring/composition), recording technology, and entrepreneurship. However, it is the writing that is an absolute to entering the program. Every student in CMP has multiple songwriting and film scoring classes. In addition to the Bachelor of Music degree, students receive a Minor in Entrepreneurship.
• CMP Students have a laptop and software requirement – MacBook Air or MacBook Pro running Logic Pro. In addition, other software applications and sample libraries will be required.