Learn to record and produce your own music. Take private instruction in piano, voice, guitar, songwriting and composition. Get hands on experience in our music lab and recording studio. Perform with our vocal and instrumental ensembles in the King Center Recital Hall.
Degree Options

Music Designation

AA
Associate of Arts Degree | 60 Credits
Colorado Guaranteed Transfer

Recording Arts Technology

AAS
Associate of Applied Science Degree | 61 Credits
Transfer to the University of Colorado Denver

Recording Arts Technology Certificate

CERT
Certificate | 26 Credits
develop your talents
CCD offers music students multiple opportunities to grow as musicians

Want to make and produce your own music or record and mix albums? Want to take private voice or instrumental lessons to grow as a performer? Want a safe place to develop your talents to transfer to a four-year school? 

CCD offers music students multiple opportunities to grow as musicians, including an AA DWD in Music Performance, and an AAS in Recording Arts Technology. Come work in our computer music lab or our recording studio receiving the guidance, mentoring and training needed to record, mix, and produce music.

CCD Music student playing guitar and singing
music foundations
Take your First Steps with Us

Study piano, voice, guitar, woodwinds, strings, songwriting, and composition. Perform as a soloist, or with our vocal and instrumental ensembles in the King Center Recital Hall.

All students receive a foundation in music theory, ear training, music history, and basic keyboard skills. Both CCD Music degrees have official transfer articulation agreements with four-year schools in the state of Colorado.

CCD Music student playing piano on stage
More About the Program

Academic support is provided through CCD’s Excel Zone, which helps students succeed by offering a variety of learning opportunities. We are located on campus on the 4th floor of the Confluence building.

CCD Online offers fully online certificates and degrees, and individual online courses to help match your busy schedule. This program offers 52 percent of its degree either online or through a hybrid program.

Your first step is to see if online learning is right for you. Online and hybrid environments offer much more flexibility but require more self-direction and self-discipline. Certain work habits, learning styles and skills contribute to a successful online or hybrid learning experience.

Online Experience Questions?
303.352.6785 | TLC@ccd.edu

Some programs and/or courses may require additional fees in addition to the base tuition and fees. High-cost course fees are used to support the maintenance and development of the course labs and are embedded within your general tuition.

The following courses have additional fees: 

MUS 1041, MUS 1042, MUS 2041, MUS 2042

View the 2024-2025 Course Specific Fees

This program is eligible for federal financial aid.

Your first step is to connect with the Financial Aid office to discover how you can afford college. Our dedicated staff and support services help you wade through all the legal language and get you past the first hurdle to completing your educational goals.

In addition, CCD has $1,000,000 available in scholarships. Learn More!

This program is a guaranteed transfer (GT) program. GT programs enable all college students to complete their first two years of college here at CCD and then transfer to any public college in Colorado as a junior. It is called the DWD program (Degrees with Designation). This program saves you money and time.

A Two-Year Degree from CCD Can Lead to a Four-Year Degree from:

  • Adams State University
  • Colorado Mesa University
  • Colorado State University Ft Collins
  • Colorado State University Pueblo
  • Fort Lewis College
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • University of Colorado Boulder
  • University of Colorado Colorado Springs
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • Western State Colorado University

What can I do with my major?

Employment of musicians and singers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Growth will be due to increases in demand for musical performances. However, there will be tough competition for jobs because of the large number of people who are interested in becoming musicians and singers.

When you earn a degree with a music plan of study, you’ll learn about music theory, ear training, and music history. You’ll be on the path to various careers where salaries can range from $15 to $50 per hour. Careers include

  • performance education/teaching,
  • music technology,
  • business,
  • engineering,
  • managing a band,
  • controlling the soundboards at concerts, and
  • performing individually or with a symphony, chorus or other musical groups.

How much can I expect to earn?

The median hourly wage for musicians and singers $39.14 in May 2023.

The information provided here is by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook for musicians and singers.

Important Dates
Faculty & Staff
Karen E. Danielson
Dean of Instruction, Education and Arts, Communication, & Design Pathway (Interim)
Nick Taylor
Department Chair & Associate Professor, Performing Arts
Smiling person with a goatee in a plaid shirt
Conrad Kehn
Assistant Professor of Music & Recording Arts
Lynne L. Stefanowski
Academic Advisor
Lynne Stefanowski
Cathleen A. Whiles
Professor, Performing Arts
Cathleen Whiles