Applied Music

Applied Music is a four-semester series of one-unit courses for the Music Major (MUSI 190ABCD). Applied Music is designed to help students develop their musical skills, obtain an Associate of Arts Degree, and successfully transfer to a four-year institution for continued music study.

While working through the four semesters of Applied Music, students will take weekly private lessons on their primary instruments with ECC Applied Music Faculty, will perform in front of a live audience three times each semester, and will develop an ePortfolio of promotional materials to help kickstart their careers in the music industry.

The program includes private music lessons in piano, organ, voice, electric and acoustic guitar, woodwind/brass, and orchestral instruments. 

Eligibility

The Applied Music Program is designed for El Camino College Music Majors and students who are serious about improving their performance skills and have already reached at least an intermediate level. Students should be prepared to devote adequate time to the program. An audition is required for initial entrance to the program.

High school seniors in their second semester may audition for the program but must compete with college students for acceptance. Individuals with a degree in Music (AA, BA, BM or higher) are not eligible.

Registration

The Applied Music program is offered during the Fall and Spring semesters only. Students must audition and be accepted into the Applied Music program BEFORE they register. Students should begin their application process approximately two weeks before the beginning of the Fall or Spring semester and follow the audition instructions below.  If you are interested in the Music Major and Applied Music program at El Camino College, please click this link and complete the questionnaire. 

Students accepted into the Applied Music Program can choose from one of four areas of musical study:

Jazz Instruments & Vocal Jazz   
Dr. David Moyer  dmoyer@elcamino.edu  Tues. 2:25pm-3:15pm

Classical Instruments & Keyboards
Prof. Jon Minei  rminei@elcamino.edu Thurs 2:25pm-3:15pm

Classical and Broadway Voice  
Dr. Kevin Blickfeldt  kblickfeldt@elcamino.edu  Thurs 4:00pm-4:50pm

Applied Music Lessons & Faculty

Students accepted into the ECC Applied Music Program are required to take weekly one-hour private lessons on their primary instruments with ECC Applied Music Faculty. Applied Music Faculty are experienced, professional working musicians in the Los Angeles area.  Instructors are part of the 35 plus member staff which includes both full-time and adjunct faculty members. See the Applied Music Faculty Biographies.

Program Requirements

Students accepted into the Applied Music program are required to do the following:

1. Enroll in the section of Music 190A focusing on their chosen area of musical study &  Follow the Music Major Pathway of simultaneous enrollment courses:

• Music 190A Applied Music I MU 131 Beginning Piano (recommended)
• Music 190B Applied Music II MU 101 Music Fundamentals (required)
• Music 190C Applied Music III MU 103A Music Theory (required)
• Music 190D Applied Music IV  MU 103B  Music Theory, MU 215 Music History (required)
  
  

2. Complete all course assignments for each semester of the program including three (3) class performances, a juried final performance, literature critiques, and website/portfolio development

3. Complete simultaneous course work in Music Theory and Music History 

4. Applied Music students are required to enroll and participate in an ECC Ensemble for each semester they are in the program:

Ensemble Requirements

• Instrumentalists choose from:
  Music 265 Symphonic Band, Music 266 Studio Jazz Band, Music 267 Concert Jazz Band, Music 268 Symphony Orchestra, Music 269 Guitar Ensemble Instrumental Ensembles
• Vocalists choose from:
  Music 151 Mixed Chorus, Music 152 Concert Choir, Music 253 Chorale, Music 257 Women's Choir, Music 258 Vocal Jazz Ensemble Choral Ensembles
• Pianists and guitarists
  You may choose from any of the above, but the instrumental group acceptance may be limited.
  
  
  
  

Music Theory

Students enrolled in Applied Music are required to have simultaneous enrollment in music theory, performance ensembles, and music history courses.

Students that believe they have enough music theory knowledge to pass over the Music Fundamentals course (MUSI 101) in order to enter the next level of Music Theory (MUSI 103A, 103B and 203) are required to contact Dr. Patrick Schulz via email in order to take the Music Fundamentals Challenge Exam before the start of the semester.

Dr. Patrick Schulz: pschulz@elcamino.edu. 
 

Auditions

Auditions are held on the Tuesday preceding the first week of instruction of the Fall and Spring semesters. For the audition, you should prepare a brief musical composition (no more than five minutes) that demonstrates your musicianship and technical achievement. 

SPRING 2025 Auditions

In-person auditions for acceptance into the program in the Spring 2025 Semester will be held on campus on Thursday, February 13th and Friday, February 14th in Haag Recital Hall (Music 7), Music 134, and Marsee Auditorium 126. Auditions for the Classical Instruments & Keyboards and Classical & Broadway Voice sections will be held on campus on Thursday, February 13th, 2025 in  Haag Recital Hall (Music 7) & Music 134 from 4:30-6:30pm. The Jazz section of Applied Music will be held on campus on Friday, February 14th, 2025 in Marsee Auditorium Room 126 (AUD 126) from 2:00-3:30pm. Time and location for each section of Applied Music 190 auditions are: 

Instructions:

• 1. Before your audition, please fill out the El Camino College Applied Music Program Inquiries form including a letter of recommendation. 
  
  
  
• Please direct any other questions to the instructor of the section/discipline you are interested in.
  
  
  2. Click the link below to sign up for an audition time slot and attend the in-person audition on Thursday, February 13th & Friday, February 14th 2025 for the section/discipline you are interested in:
  
  Classical Instrumental & Keyboard Audition Sign-Up
  
  Jazz Instrumental & Vocals Audition Sign-Up
  
  Classical & Broadway Voice Audition Sign-Up
• 
  Jazz Auditions criteria: Unaccompanied instrumental performances and/or performances with a backing track are acceptable. Jazz musicians should prepare to demonstrate a solo improvisation over a jazz ballad, up-tempo jazz standard, or 12-bar blues. Memorization is not required but is encouraged. Jazz Vocalists should perform a jazz ballad or up-tempo jazz standard. All vocalist selections must be performed from memory.

Designated Applied Music Sections*

Jazz Instruments & Vocal Jazz   
Dr. David Moyer  dmoyer@elcamino.edu  Tues. 2:25pm-3:15pm

Classical Instruments 
Prof. Jon Minei  rminei@elcamino.edu Thurs 2:25pm-3:15pm

Classical and Broadway Voice  
Dr. Kevin Blickfeldt  kblickfeldt@elcamino.edu  Thurs 4:00pm-4:50pm

After the Audition

Students will be notified of audition results via email by Friday, February 14th. Students accepted into the Applied Music program are required to register in the correct section by the Friday before instruction begins. Students who miss this window of opportunity to register must obtain an add code from the instructor on the first day of instruction.  It will be necessary to enroll in an El Camino College performance ensemble prior to adding the Applied Music course. Students are required to be enrolled in Applied Music before they can begin private lessons.

If you are looking for career services and resources, please refer to the El Camino College Career Center https://www.elcamino.edu/student/studentservices/careercenter/index.php   Explore websites such as “What Can I Do With This Major” and “Career Cruising” to learn more about majors and occupations in the Music field.