Impact the Music Industry with APU’s Commercial Music Major

To prepare students personally and professionally for careers in the music industry, the commercial music major focuses on integrating skills in the areas of music business, composition and arranging, live and studio performance, as well as audio recording and production. The combination of internship opportunities, an ever-growing network of working APU alumni, and experienced faculty-professionals offer graduates of the Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music program access to strategic links within the Los Angeles music industry.

Students select from five tracks or areas of specialization:

• Audio recording
• Composing/arranging
• Instrumental performance
• Music business
• Vocal performance

Is This Major Right for You?

You’re a commercial music major (BM) if you:

• Plan to craft a career within the music industry.
• Seek to achieve the highest level of musical excellence.
• Are curious about, and desire to be a part of the constantly changing trends in the music industry.
• Understand the importance of having multiple musical skills as path to career success.

Program Highlights

• Small classes that facilitate greater student access to professors
• Freedom to integrate faith and musicianship
• Interaction with a variety of performance groups

School of Music Accreditation

A degree from Azusa Pacific University is respected and recognized internationally, and accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The university is regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

University Reputation

U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges 2023 edition named Azusa Pacific to its list of top national universities and several other significant lists, including First-Year Experiences and Top Performers on Social Mobility. The Princeton Review designated APU as 1 of 126 institutions in the “Best Western Colleges” section of its 2023 Best Colleges guide. APU’s School of Nursing was named a top nursing school in California for 2023 by College Factual and Niche. APU was included as a top-100 degree producer by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education and is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Azusa Pacific is also a Military Friendly School and Yellow Ribbon University, serving more than 500 military-connected students and families, and is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as an R2 Doctoral Research University.