Music (Fine Arts) (A.S.)

Study music at JCC

The Music degree at Jamestown Community College prepares you to transfer and earn a four-year degree in music or a music-related field. You can pursue careers such as musician, performer, sound technician, music director, music composer, film producer, theatre manager, teacher, and arts administrator.

JCC’s program features a strong foundation in music alongside mathematics and science, social sciences, and humanities.

  • You’ll take courses and electives in music theory, music ensembles, studio work, and music technology in our industry-standard studio spaces on campus.
  • JCC’s Music department hosts concerts, guest musicians, and events that you can attend and participate in.
  • If you want to expand your skills, the Music degree can be earned alongside the Digital Audio Production certificate.

You’ll work closely with your advisor to plan for your transfer institution. Most bachelor’s programs in music will audition and give placement tests to transfer students in solo performance, aural skills, music theory, and, often, piano skills. Tests in other areas are also possible, depending on the program and the institution.

Participate in music at JCC, regardless of major

You are welcome to take music courses and ensembles at JCC without pursuing a music-related degree. Get involved with theatre productions, voice and instrumental lessons, digital recording, and performing ensembles.

2023 median pay for entertainment and sports occupations: $53,360/year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Where to study at JCC

Music skills

After you complete the program, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of at least one element of music production.
  • Demonstrate proper technique in personal musical performance.
  • Demonstrate proper technique in ensemble musical performance.
  • Demonstrate aesthetic understanding: the ability to understand and appreciate aesthetic forms of expression in music.

Local music opportunities

We have many music opportunities in the local community, including:

Semester 1

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

MUS 1570: Music Theory I

3
SUNY
  • Arts

MUS 1930: Aural Skills I

2

MUS 1610: Applied Music: Private Lessons I

1

Music Ensemble

Chorus: MUS 1750 or MUS 1760 or MUS 2750 or MUS 2760

Jazz: MUS 1830 or MUS 1840 or MUS 2830 or MUS 2840

Rock: MUS 1850 or MUS 1860 or MUS 2850 or MUS 2860

Concert Band: MUS 1870 or MUS 1880 or MUS 2870 or MUS 2880

Music Ensemble: MUS 1720 or MUS 1740 or MUS 2720 or MUS 2740

2

MUS 1670: Beginning Piano

3
SUNY
  • Arts

ENG 1510: English Composition I

3
SUNY
  • Humanities
JCC
  • College Composition

INT 1555: Inquire

2
JCC
  • Critical and Integrative Reasoning
  • Seek out academic support/tutoring as needed.
  • Begin to investigate prospective career paths and transfer institutions.

Semester 2

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

MUS 1580: Music Theory II

3

MUS 1940: Aural Skills II

2

MUS 1620: Applied Music: Private Lessons II

1

Music Ensemble

Chorus: MUS 1750 or MUS 1760 or MUS 2750 or MUS 2760

Jazz: MUS 1830 or MUS 1840 or MUS 2830 or MUS 2840

Rock: MUS 1850 or MUS 1860 or MUS 2850 or MUS 2860

Concert Band: MUS 1870 or MUS 1880 or MUS 2870 or MUS 2880

Music Ensemble: MUS 1720 or MUS 1740 or MUS 2720 or MUS 2740

2

MUS 1690: Piano II

3
SUNY
  • Arts

Mathematics Elective

Recommended:

MAT 1500: Problem Solving with Mathematics (or higher)

3
SUNY
  • Math
JCC
  • Mathematical Reasoning

ENG 1530: English Composition II

3
SUNY
  • Written & Oral Communication
JCC
  • College Composition
  • Oral Communication
  • Continue investigating career paths and transfer institutions.

Semester 3

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

MUS 2570: Music Theory III

3

MUS 2930: Aural Skills III

2

MUS 2610: Applied Music: Private Lessons III

1

Music Ensemble

Chorus: MUS 1750 or MUS 1760 or MUS 2750 or MUS 2760

Jazz: MUS 1830 or MUS 1840 or MUS 2830 or MUS 2840

Rock: MUS 1850 or MUS 1860 or MUS 2850 or MUS 2860

Concert Band: MUS 1870 or MUS 1880 or MUS 2870 or MUS 2880

Music Ensemble: MUS 1720 or MUS 1740 or MUS 2720 or MUS 2740

2

MUS 1510: Music Appreciation

3
SUNY
  • Arts

MUS 1730: Introduction to Music Technology

3
SUNY
  • Arts
JCC
  • Applied Learning

Natural Sciences Elective

Recommended:

BIO 1510: Health Science or

BIO 1550: Intro to Environmental Science

3-4
SUNY
  • Natural Sciences
JCC
  • Global Perspectives
  • Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences
  • Begin preparing applications and audition repertoire for selected transfer institutions; submit applications to and audition at institutions with fall deadlines.

Semester 4

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

MUS 2620: Applied Music: Private Lessons IV

1

Music Ensemble

Chorus: MUS 1750 or MUS 1760 or MUS 2750 or MUS 2760

Jazz: MUS 1830 or MUS 1840 or MUS 2830 or MUS 2840

Rock: MUS 1850 or MUS 1860 or MUS 2850 or MUS 2860

Concert Band: MUS 1870 or MUS 1880 or MUS 2870 or MUS 2880

Music Ensemble: MUS 1720 or MUS 1740 or MUS 2720 or MUS 2740

2

Program Core Elective

Recommended:

MUS 1630: Beginning Voice or

MUS 1680: Beginning Guitar or

MUS 1700: Guitar II or

MUS 1710: Intro to Sound Recording or

MUS 1730: Music and Digital Studio or

MUS 1890: Guitar Maintenance/Repair or

MUS 2580: Music Theory IV or

MUS 2630: Applied Music Private Lessons V or

MUS 2640: Applied Music Private Lessons VI or

MUS 2890: Digital/Audio Studio or

MUS 2940: Aural Skills IV

3

Social Sciences Elective

Recommended:

PSY 1510: General Psychology

3
SUNY
  • Social Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Social Sciences

Social Sciences Elective

Recommended:

SOC 1510: Intro to Sociology or

ANT 1520: Intro to Cultural Anthropology or

ANT 2590/SOC 2590: Sex, Sexuality, and Gender

3
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding
  • Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
  • Global Perspectives

Elective

0-1
  • For those planning to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program in music, MUS 2580 and 2940 are strongly recommended.
  • Apply for graduation.
  • Submit applications and complete auditions at transfer institutions.
  • Choose a transfer institution by semester’s end.