Music Program
The Music program at CBC gives you the opportunity to explore music, whether it be as a passion or as a curiosity. Courses will give you the foundation for a future degree as a professional musician, composer or K-12 teacher and fulfill humanities electives requirements for students seeking another path. Through studies in music, you will:
- Learn the foundational skills necessary to go onto a four-year degree in music.
- Develop as a professional artist.
- Satisfy the humanities requirement for an AA.
- Learn to apply and appreciate music in its many forms.
Music offerings at CBC meet the requirements for the first two years of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees in music at most four-year institutions, enhance the musical knowledge and performance ability of students wishing to enter the professional field with an Associate in Arts degree, and provide general leisure activity.
Program Highlights
CBC Music Students in Action
Check out the 2019 recording of the CBC Jazz Ensemble performing "Lullaby of Broadway", featuring Meg Powers.
Performance Groups
You can gain experience on stage or behind the scenes performing with groups or learning
the technical aspects of equipment management or running sound are available, contact
a director to see where you can start being involved.
There are many performance opportunities at local venues, at quarterly concerts, and
with nationally known artists during Jazz Unlimited.
Visit the CBC Arts Center website for up-to-date concert information.
MUSC 118 - Band, is a non-auditioned concert band, directed by Dr.%20Collin%20Wilson%2C that meets one evening a week and culminates with an end of the quarter concert. Other performance opportunities may be scheduled during Winter and Summer. This group is open to students and community members.
MUSC181 - Chorus, directed by Mike%20Scott, is a campus-wide concert choir open to all students without an audition! This vibrant community includes music majors and non-majors who love to sing and thrive on the sense of community that happens in a large, inclusive choir. The Concert Choir sings music from around the world, music representing historically resilient populations, and music from the large body of published music readily available for mixed choirs.
MUSC281- Advanced Chorus, directed by Mike%20Scott, is a highly select chamber choir open to all students by audition This vibrant community includes music majors and non-majors who love to sing and thrive on the sense of community that happens in a large, inclusive choir. The Chamber Choir strives for innovative, musical performances in a safe & welcoming community of select musicians, engages in outreach and service to the department, community, and region, and demonstrates a high level of artistry in preparation and performance assigned literature. Commonly known as DeserTones, this ensemble sings music from around the world, music representing historically resilient populations, and music from the large body of published music readily available for mixed choirs.
MUSC 140/244-Vocal Jazz/Advanced Vocal Jazz, directed by Mike%20Scott, is a premier vocal jazz ensemble named FreeForm. This group focuses on the traditional as well as contemporary advances in the jazz idiom, encompassing swing, ballad, bebop, fusion, funk and even elements of free jazz. This group is an auditioned ensemble.
MUSC 137 - Jazz Band, is a jazz ensemble, directed by Dr.%20Collin%20Wilson, maintains an active performing, touring and recording schedule. It is an auditioned traditional jazz band.
Scholarships and Talent Grants
We offer up to five scholarships a year that range from $1,000 to $4,500 per person
towards tuition and fees for one year (three continuous quarters). Two scholarships
are dedicated for students with the intent of majoring in music with an emphasis in
band instruments. Two to three scholarships are dedicated for students with the intent
of majoring in music with an emphasis in choral, vocal, and/or piano accompanying.
Any currently enrolled or potential student is eligible to apply. Most scholarships
are for full-time students (12 or more credits) maintaining a minimum grade point
average of 2.5, but a few may be awarded to part-time students. Be sure to complete
the CBC Admissions Application.
- Complete the CBC Foundation Scholarship application.
- Audition with the appropriate Music Department faculty.
- Declared intent to major in music and participation in the appropriate CBC Music Program ensemble.
We offer two scholarships towards tuition and fees for one year (three continuous quarters) and are dedicated for students with the intent of majoring in music with an emphasis in band instruments.
We offer two to three scholarships towards tuition and fees for one year (three continuous quarters) and are dedicated for students with the intent of majoring in music with an emphasis in choral/vocal and/or piano accompanying.
Do you sing, play an instrument or have sound engineering skills? There may be openings in the various groups that could use your skills which offers a scholarship called a ‘talent grant’. Talent grant information can be obtained from the music department faculty.
Jazz Unlimited Festival
Hosted by the Columbia Basin College Music Program since 1972, Jazz Unlimited is an
annual festival and competition for middle school, junior high school and high school
concert bands, jazz bands, concert choirs and jazz choirs around the Northwest. The
festival includes clinics, special guests and concerts.
This festival offers invaluable education opportunities to learn and perform with
top adjudicators and nationally known musicians. Visit the CBC Arts Center website for more information.
Jazz Ensemble Auditions
All students interested in auditioning for the jazz ensemble should come to rehearsal
on the first day of fall quarter. We will meet, talk about the plans for the year
and do a little sight reading – bring you instruments! We will schedule individual
auditions for the rest of the week.
Any CBC student who plays a standard jazz ensemble instrument may audition.
Audition Requirements:
Audition materials will be available one week prior to the first day of fall quarter. Contact Collin Wilson to obtain the materials
- The provided prepared excerpt for your instrument.
- A prepared piece you may choose – this could be a transcription or tune you’ve learned.
- Sight Reading
- OPTIONAL: Improvisation on a tune of your choice. If you are new to improvising that’s okay! Try a Bb Blues. (Some chairs require improvisation, please email Dr. Wilson with any questions).
- Demonstration of time or comping in the following styles:
- Slow/med/up tempo swing
- Bossa
- Samba
- Afro Cuban
- Funk
- Jazz Waltz - Sight Reading
- Provided Prepared Excerpt
- Improvisation on a tune of your choice – required for all rhythm section chairs.
