Music
Associate in Fine Arts- Cost
- $12,925*
Explore the fine art of music
Sing and play all the right notes
If your love for fine arts fuels a passion for performing, start with a 2-year associate degree in Music at College of Lake County. Then prepare to transfer to a 4-year institution and continue your education in music, fine arts or a related program that inspires you.
Balance critical thinking with creative expression. Train in music theory, communication and critical thinking—all while you celebrate your immense love of the fine arts.
What can you do with an A.F.A. in Music?
The Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.) degree in Music prepares you to transfer and complete a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, music or related fields, so you're ready to start your career.
Private lessons from professional performers
Maximize your musical abilities by registering for private, one-on-one applied music lessons at CLC. Our music teachers are also professional performers who are passionate about helping you master your craft.
Highlights
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Performance Opportunities
Hone and showcase your talents & join the instrumental and choral groups. -
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available
Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college. -
Transfer Degree
Save on your first 2 years and transfer your credits to the 4-year school of your choice. -
Program Length: 2 Years
Full-time students finish in 2 years.
Career Outlook
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Set up, maintain, and dismantle audio and video equipment, such as microphones, sound speakers, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, video cameras, video monitors and servers, and related electronic equipment for live or recorded events, such as concerts, meetings, conventions, presentations, podcasts, news conferences, and sporting events.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $34,725
- Median
- $49,425
- Senior-Level
- $93,665
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $16.69
- Median
- $23.76
- Senior-Level
- $45.02
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 25.07%
- Certificate
- 19.87%
- Some college
- 1.19%
- Associate Degree
- 11.19%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 42.67%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $51,846
- Median
- $71,742
- Senior-Level
- $110,574
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $24.92
- Median
- $34.48
- Senior-Level
- $53.15
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 0.97%
- Certificate
- 0.97%
- Some college
- 1.09%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 84.39%
- Master's Degree
- 12.6%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $53,127
- Median
- $77,364
- Senior-Level
- $116,677
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $25.53
- Median
- $37.19
- Senior-Level
- $56.09
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 1.87%
- Associate Degree
- 5.99%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 77.3%
- Master's Degree
- 14.84%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $29,047
- Median
- $54,608
- Senior-Level
- $132,961
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $13.96
- Median
- $26.24
- Senior-Level
- $63.91
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 8.91%
- Some college
- 6.2%
- Associate Degree
- 7.89%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 26.23%
- Master's Degree
- 30.14%
- Doctorate
- 20.62%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Plan, organize, direct, or assess clinical and evidenced-based music therapy interventions to positively influence individuals' physical, psychological, cognitive, or behavioral status.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $31,270
- Median
- $66,078
- Senior-Level
- $165,468
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $15.03
- Median
- $31.76
- Senior-Level
- $79.55
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Bachelor's Degree
- 84.62%
- Master's Degree
- 15.38%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Repair percussion, stringed, reed, or wind instruments. May specialize in one area, such as piano tuning.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $29,489
- Median
- $38,768
- Senior-Level
- $72,074
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $14.17
- Median
- $18.63
- Senior-Level
- $34.64
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 42.85%
- Certificate
- 42.86%
- Associate Degree
- 10.71%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 3.57%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Play one or more musical instruments or sing. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for sound or video recording.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $20,871
- Median
- $57,188
- Senior-Level
- $491,988
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $10.03
- Median
- $27.49
- Senior-Level
- $236.53
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 31.38%
- Certificate
- 0.32%
- Some college
- 8.56%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 29.92%
- Master's Degree
- 17.15%
- Doctorate
- 12.66%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Need help?
Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) helps you
- complete the admission process
- choose an academic program
- enroll in first-semester classes
- get access to helpful resources
Recommended Pathway
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. View degree requirements in the college catalog.
*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
Learn how CLC helps you transfer
Start at CLC and continue with a 4-year school to earn your bachelor's degree. CLC has partnerships with many colleges and universities, covering a wide range of programs.
Our Guaranteed Transfer Partnerships (GTAs) with a select number of schools guarantee admission to students who meet specific criteria.
Music at CLC
Get the bigger picture
This transfer degree is just one possible way to study Music. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.
Frequently asked questions
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In this program, you gain a wide range of theoretical and practical music knowledge and skills:
- aural skills (melodic, harmonic and rhythmic dictation and sight singing)
- music fundamentals (notation, rhythm, scales, intervals, triads, cadences, basic forms and musical terms)
- music history and appreciation (through intensive guided listening)
- music theory (analysis, recognition and writing of chords and harmonic progressions leading to formal music composition)
- piano (basic playing, keyboard chords and music reading)
- vocal techniques (group and solo singing)
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Yes! Performing in front of people is an important part of a music major’s education. When you participate in ensembles, you learn by observing, working with and emulating group artists. We offer various for-credit choral and instrumental group options, depending on your focus.
Choral groups include:
- CLC Singers
- Choir of Lake County
- Gospel Choir
Instrumental groups include:
- Wind Ensemble
- Concert Band
- Jazz Ensemble I and II
- Jazz Combos
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Here are some great options:
- Complete your bachelor's degree in Lake County: Continue your education online or in person at the Grayslake Campus through the University Center of Lake County.
- Guaranteed transfer admission: Seamlessly transfer to 30+ 4-year partners and get admitted to your transfer school in your first semester at CLC.
- Explore the many more transfer options available.
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Yes. There’s a distinct advantage to earning your associate degree—a 30% advantage. The Brookings Institution reports that employees with associate degrees earn 30% more on average than those with high school diplomas. Over a lifetime, the earnings of an associate degree recipient are roughly $170,000 higher than those of a high school graduate.
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Yes! Researchers have looked at how community college students fare after transferring. The biggest marker for success? Finishing your associate degree before transferring. In fact, those students seem to do better at the 4-year than students who started at the 4-year.
Take the next step...
Be debt-free at CLC
CLC has some of the lowest tuition around. Financial aid and scholarships are available—even for working adults.
Request info
Your education is a big investment of your time, money and attention. Gather all the info you need.
Visit us
Get a feel for life on campus when you register for a tour. We'd love to show you around. Oh, and bring family and friends along for the fun, if you want!
Get started
Start your application today—it’s free and easy to complete. When you’re ready, we’re ready to help you take the next step.