Electronic Music Program
The Music Department has a full program of courses centered on Mesa's Electronic Music Studio. Recently renovated, the new Studio has a wide variety of sound equipment and computer workstations for recording, mixing, scoring and production. In addition to the introductory Electronic Music Studio course, which allows even the novice complete hands-on access to all the digital and electro-acoustic technology, students can pursue more advanced courses in Recording Arts, Computer Music and Composition. All courses allow students to start or build on a portfolio of original music.
Vocal Ensemble & College Chorus
The Mesa College Vocal Ensemble is an auditioned choir of twenty-four singers. The choir performs several concerts each semester and also participates in choral festivals. In addition to preparing repertoire, vocal and sight-reading skills are developed. The College Chorus is an auditioned choir of 35 experienced singers. This advanced choir often performs at both public and private occasions throughout the San Diego area. Both choirs present a wide variety of music, from madrigals to vocal/orchestra works, in a range of styles including classical, folk and jazz. Members of both choirs have participated in choir tours to Australia , Canada , Europe and Japan . Auditions can be scheduled with the choral director. Mesa College compliments its choral offerings with voice classes, beginning to Advanced.
Piano & Guitar
Class piano offers an opportunity to both music and non-music majors to develop functional skills such as repertoire, sight reading, transposition, harmonization, creative composition, accompanying, improvisation and modulation techniques. Students apply these skills in the classroom using twenty-four Yamaha digital keyboards with a visualizer, and have access to twenty practice rooms equipped with acoustic pianos.
Guitar classes provide instruction in classical guitar techniques. Lectures are followed by practical application on the instrument. In addition, Guitar Performance Ensembles offer special training in current performance practices.
Music Theory
In addition to Basic Musicianship, a course which focuses on mastery of the fundamentals of music, four semesters of Music Theory and Ear Training are offered. These classes prepare students to transfer as music majors to the University of California, California State University Systems, as well as to private colleges - often with third-year standing.
Instrumental Ensembles
The Instrumental Music Program at Mesa College is a comprehensive Band Program that offers four student-performance ensembles. The Concert Jazz Band is a full-size group of over 20 instrumentalists and a vocalist. They perform throughout Southern California and with many great jazz artists including Louie Bellson, Clark Terry, Bob Magnusson, Bill Watrous, Mark Vinci, Bobby Shew, Howie Smith and Gary Foster. Mesa 's numerous jazz combos are often led by internationally recognized jazz greats. For those who enjoy Pep bands that play for athletic events, we have our own Varsity Brass Band. For students of all ages, we have our 70 piece Kearny-Mesa Concert Band that plays serious wind band literature from Percy Grainger to John Philip Sousa to jazz and Broadway show tunes.
Applied Music
The Applied Music Program (AMP) provides individual instruction in vocal or instrumental music, regular performances in weekly lecture-recital classes and participation in music department recitals. Admission is by audition.