Come make music with us in the Saddleback College Music Department! Our program offers seven different areas of music study, an associate degree program, and if you want to pursue a four-year music degree at one of the California State University campuses, an associate degree for transfer. Learn from faculty who are actively working in the world of professional music, take part in master classes with visiting artists, join an ensemble, or learn how to make your own music and turn it into a business. The opportunities in the Music Department at Saddleback are endless.
Overview of Music Programs
Are you looking to transfer to a four-year-school as a performance-based music major? Our applied music program (MUS 50) offers 1-on-1 lessons and a weekly applied music class. Study with world-class instructors in the following disciplines:
- Jazz
- Voice
- Commercial Music (rock/pop/etc)
- Instrumental Music (Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Harp, Classical Guitar)
- Piano
Auditions for Spring 2025
Audition online by filling out an Audition Form and including a YouTube link to your video audition in Item #11 of the form.
In-person auditions will be held on Thursday, January 23 at 3 pm in FA 101. Fill out the Audition Form (linked above) before arriving.
If you have questions, please email them to Yorgos (Georgios) Kouritas.
Do you sing or play rock, pop, hip-hop, country, folk, or R&B? Come join the Commercial Music Performance program at Saddleback College!
Our Commercial Music students have an excellent transfer rate! Recent students have transferred to CSULA's commercial music program Belmont University, Berklee School of Music, and more!
Our Commercial Music ensembles meet on Monday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. Students rehearse in small groups under the direction of professor Ariel Alexander.
First time Commercial Music Ensemble students should sign up for MUS 39.
Returning students should sign up for MUS 182, MUS 184, or MUS 187.
Auditions for the ensembles take place on the first day of class.
For more information please email Ariel Alexander.
Videos
View Saddleback College Commercial Music Student Testimonials
View Saddleback College Commercial Music Ensembles
If you play a string, wind, brass, or percussion instrument, we invite you to join the Instrumental Music Program! Our faculty makes sure that everybody has a great performing experience.
The Instrumental Music Program hosts masterclasses with distinguished professors from other schools, guest lecturers, and offers the opportunity to perform in the Saddleback Symphony Orchestra or Wind Ensemble.
For more information on the Instrumental Music Program, please email Yorgos Kouritas.
The jazz program at Saddleback College is regarded as one of the best community college jazz programs in southern California. We offer a range of small and large ensembles, jazz composition and improvisation courses, and applied music.
Whether you're an industry veteran looking to join our Big Band, a student looking to prepare for transfer, or just someone that wants to make music with others, we welcome you!
The Jazz Studies program offers three ensembles:
- Big Band
- Jazz Combos
- Jazz Lab Ensemble
All classes are taught by our world-class faculty, including professor Joey Sellers. Our Jazz Studies students have an excellent transfer rate. Recent students have transferred to CSU Fullerton, CSU Northridge, CSU Long Beach, Eastman School of Music, and more.
For more information on the Jazz Studies Program please email Joey Sellers.
Saddleback has wonderful keyboard facilities and offers classes and concert performances on three major keyboard instruments – piano, organ and harpsichord.
Our piano classes are conducted as masterclasses, providing our keyboard studies students with numerous performance opportunities, on and off campus, technique studies, and in-depth interpretation of concepts appropriate to different styles of music. Although students have diverse musical backgrounds and skill levels, their classmates and teachers at Saddleback are friendly and supportive. Saddleback students perform at their own level and progress at their own speed. There is no pressure!
For more information on the Keyboard Studies Program please email Kirill Gliadkovsky.
We offer two group guitar classes (MUS171 and MUS 173) that focus on basic guitar skills including learning notes/chords, playing popular tunes, and reading music.
Saddleback College offers a unique opportunity to study music composition, both in the area of concert music and popular songwriting. The composition program at Saddleback College is one of the largest and most successful programs of its kind in the state, and has produced many students who have gone on to four-year programs in composition as well as successful careers in music.
For more information on Music Composition please email Geoffery Munger.
Whether you're looking to earn a certificate in music production, earn an AA in music and transfer, or are simply interested in taking a couple of classes to brush up your skills, the Music Production Program at Saddleback is the right place!
The Music Production Program utilizes the Ableton software and the recording class utilizes ProTools. However, we believe great music can be created on ANY DAW.
Students will be provided with the software for free and may even borrow a MacBook to complete their coursework.
For more information on the Music Production Program please email Ariel Alexander.
An Overview of the Music Production Program
The Saddleback College Vocal Music Program offers two ensemble opportunities. The first, Chamber Singers, meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 to 1:15 pm. The Chamber Singers is primarily made up of music majors and minors who are interested in a high level of performance and rehearsal technique appropriate for voice majors. The Chamber Singers is a highly select group of students who are dedicated to making excellent choral music.
The second opportunity is with the Community Chorale which meets on Tuesdays from 7 to 10 pm. The Community Chorale is made up of a diverse range of experience singers from all walks of life. With the importance of intergenerational relationship at its core, the Community Chorale fosters musical experiences where education and choral performance intersect.
For more information on the Vocal Music Program please email Brandon Elliott.