Bakersfield College will welcome a new music program as Joshua Ottum, a BC music teacher and director, has confirmed that the new Commercial Music Certificate of Achievement courses will be offered in the Fall 2016 school semester.

In total, there will be seven classes offered for the new curriculum within the next year.

However, only three will initially be offered in the Fall 2016 semester.

The classes offered will be Introduction to Music Technology (MUSC B30), Music Business (MUSC B36), and Commercial Music Ensemble (MUSC B37) and are focused on developing the business aspect of a musical lifestyle and the audio-technical components that go along with, “A new musical society,” said Ottum.

The classes are for anyone who is a fan of music as they focus on teaching ways to develop an individual brand and focuses more on the cognitive parts of music.

Students will receive basic teachings in technologies that are pivotal while recording or managing yourself as a musician.

“It’s really beneficial for anyone trying to break into the music industry, we help you write and record your own songs. Plus, we teach you how to operate the audio and to represent themselves professionally,” said Ottum.

According to Ottum, students will be learning entrepreneurial skills that will help them succeed in a newer music industry that focuses more on social media and self-marketing.

Students can choose to either focus in the managing or musical aspects of the classes, while doing activities and assignments that promote their personal growth in the industry.

In Intro to Music Tech, students will be shown the basics of working in a modern recoding studio.

Learning about things such as signal flow or how to drop background noise out of your songs.

In Commercial Music, ensemble students will collaborate with each other mixing different genres of music together to create original material.

“We have rap, hip-hop, pop and even country singers. It’s all about music. You just have to have a passion, it doesn’t matter what kind you’re singing,” said Ottum.

In general, the classes are a new experience here at BC as, “No other class has ever been offered like this here at BC,” said Ottum, and should give students a new venue for where they can further their growth in the musical industry.

For all students looking to register for the classes in the fall, know that the new music program does not teach you to read music.

It is not required that you know how to read music prior to joining the classes.

However, it is stressed by Ottum that the focus is on the business and audio-technical portion of music.

Any information on all seven new classes can be found on the BC website and reviewing the music programs page.