NEW STUDENTS –– Do you have questions about the RCC Music programs offered? Contact Steven Schmidt.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Fine & Performing Arts
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Interested in expressing yourself through drama, dance, music, theatre, and/or art?
Fine and Performing Arts prepares students for careers as artists, musicians and educators. At the heart of the department are outstanding arts experiences, superior teaching, and access to valuable aesthetic learning in dance, music, and theater. |
FIND YOUR VOICE OR VISION
The Fine and Performing Arts instructional pathway is designed for students who are pursuing degrees or careers in music, dance, film, television and video production, applied digital media, graphic design, theatre arts, studio arts, animation, art history, and/or photography. Students can earn a certificate (where applicable) or work toward an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) to a California State University or University of California. If you are interested, you can explore other instructional pathways in Fine and Performing Arts.
Department of MusicThe Mission of the Music Department is to provide students the means to accomplish their goals in music with an educational program that prepares them to contribute as artists, educators, audience members, and supporters of the arts. Our standard is to meet the cultural, educational, and social needs of the community through excellent musical performances, school visitations, workshops, and master classes. At the heart of the department are outstanding arts experiences, superior teaching, and access to an aesthetic learning education.
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RCC Marching Tigers at home football game (2017)
RIVERSIDE CITY COLLEGE WHEELOCK STADIUM |
Degrees & Certificates• Audio & Music Technology – Associate of Arts
• Music – Associate Degree for Transfer • Music – Associate of Arts • Piano Performance – Certificate • Jazz Performance – Certificate • Music Performance – Certificate • Music Technology – Certificate |
Why RCC Is A Great Musical Destination
Great careers start at RCC. We take great pride in our mission as a transfer institution and our students excel when they transfer to prestigious universities and music schools. They will not find a better place to launch their dreams!
RCC offers comprehensive musical and academic programs for its music students. The great performing ensembles at Riverside City College include our amazing Wind Ensemble, our six (6) award-winning Jazz Ensembles, Symphonic Winds concert band, the world-famous Marching Tigers marching band and pep band, Symphony Orchestra, (concert) Percussion Ensemble, Chamber Singers, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Concert Choir, Guitar Ensemble, and various piano ensembles, jazz combos, and chamber ensembles. Not to mention the competitive Fantasia Winter Guard and RCC Indoor Percussion winter drumline. There are many outstanding musical experiences available for serious music students.
The RCC Department of Music offers a comprehensive program in music theory and music literature for all transferring music majors. Our music theory program is an intensive and complete course of study in Fundamentals and in Music Theory I, II, and III, which prepares RCC music students to successfully transfer to the university setting and to do well on their transfer placement exams in music theory, ear training, sight-singing, and keyboard skills. RCC's music literature class (MUS-22) satisfies the lower division music literature and/or history requirements for transfer institutions. These courses in theory and literature/history prepare our music majors to be highly competitive in attaining junior placement as a music major when they transfer.
RCC Music also offers students an opportunity to pursue a certificate and transferable degree in the area of Music Industry and Technology, with courses in music production, songwriting, mixing, studio recording, film scoring, and live sound. Our technology courses provide all of our music students with the opportunity to earn industry-level certification in Sibelius and Pro Tools software applications. Many of our graduates are working in live or studio sound environments and/or pursing Bachelor's degrees in this exciting new field of music study.
The Yamaha Piano Lab classroom at RCC hosts 25 Yamaha Clavinova touch-sensitive pianos used to teach class piano and piano ensembles. They keyboards also provide students opportunities to practice privately using stereo headphones as well as playing for the class using the keyboard's robust amplifiers and speakers. The RCC Piano Lab is also used to complete Music Theory instruction and other ares which benefit from the foundation of piano and keyboard skills. The RCC Piano Lab also hosts a Yamaha grand piano which is used for in-class demonstrations, piano ensemble rehearsals, and inform class performances.
RCC offers comprehensive musical and academic programs for its music students. The great performing ensembles at Riverside City College include our amazing Wind Ensemble, our six (6) award-winning Jazz Ensembles, Symphonic Winds concert band, the world-famous Marching Tigers marching band and pep band, Symphony Orchestra, (concert) Percussion Ensemble, Chamber Singers, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Concert Choir, Guitar Ensemble, and various piano ensembles, jazz combos, and chamber ensembles. Not to mention the competitive Fantasia Winter Guard and RCC Indoor Percussion winter drumline. There are many outstanding musical experiences available for serious music students.
The RCC Department of Music offers a comprehensive program in music theory and music literature for all transferring music majors. Our music theory program is an intensive and complete course of study in Fundamentals and in Music Theory I, II, and III, which prepares RCC music students to successfully transfer to the university setting and to do well on their transfer placement exams in music theory, ear training, sight-singing, and keyboard skills. RCC's music literature class (MUS-22) satisfies the lower division music literature and/or history requirements for transfer institutions. These courses in theory and literature/history prepare our music majors to be highly competitive in attaining junior placement as a music major when they transfer.
RCC Music also offers students an opportunity to pursue a certificate and transferable degree in the area of Music Industry and Technology, with courses in music production, songwriting, mixing, studio recording, film scoring, and live sound. Our technology courses provide all of our music students with the opportunity to earn industry-level certification in Sibelius and Pro Tools software applications. Many of our graduates are working in live or studio sound environments and/or pursing Bachelor's degrees in this exciting new field of music study.
The Yamaha Piano Lab classroom at RCC hosts 25 Yamaha Clavinova touch-sensitive pianos used to teach class piano and piano ensembles. They keyboards also provide students opportunities to practice privately using stereo headphones as well as playing for the class using the keyboard's robust amplifiers and speakers. The RCC Piano Lab is also used to complete Music Theory instruction and other ares which benefit from the foundation of piano and keyboard skills. The RCC Piano Lab also hosts a Yamaha grand piano which is used for in-class demonstrations, piano ensemble rehearsals, and inform class performances.
Faculty
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Applied Instructors
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Staff
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John Adkins • STVR 103 / (951) 222-8047
Dean of Instruction, Fine & Performing Arts Irene Reyes • STVR 107 / (951) 222-8399 Administrative Assistant III |
Joey Smith • STVR 101 / (951) 222-8339
Instructional Department Specialist Mike Zelazo • CSA 168 / (951) 222-8793 Program Specialist |
Kurt Kilgus • CSA 168 / (951) 222-8295
Music Specialist Box Office Manager • Landis Box Office Coordinator (951) 222-8223 Manager (951) 222-8100 Box Office |
Lupe Delgadillo • CAK 101 / (951) 222-8439
Academic Counselor Rosalina Hernandez • STVR 104 / (951) 222-8452 Educational Advisor |
We are here to support you!
Riverside City College knows deciding your future can be confusing –– because you have so many options. We're here to provide you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions.
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The College Promise
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The Riverside City College Promise Program is part of a statewide effort to provide a tuition-free community college education to students willing to enroll full-time and transfer in a timely manner. The Promise Program covers the cost of tuition, fees, and provides book assistance for individuals who are graduates of Riverside, Alvord, and Jurupa Unified School Districts.
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Education opens doors, minds, and possibilities. The Promise Program helps current-year high school graduates and first-time nontraditional college students remove barriers to pursuing an education and career goals by making it affordable. The program covers two years of tuition. The program supports students seeking a certificate of completion or the requirements needed to earn an associate degree or transfer. Additionally, the Promise Program provides additional support with textbook vouchers, counseling, and mentoring. Students must be enrolled as a full-time student to participate in the Promise Program. Students who hold to their promise of enrolling fulltime receive free tuition (even if you are not eligible for financial aid), priority registration, support for textbooks, and a dedicated support community. Certain restrictions apply.
1. RCC Promise ProgramApplication
• Now open for Fall 2026 Eligibility Requirements • Graduate from a local California high school in this current year • Complete the 2026-2027 FAFSA or Dream Act application • Be a California resident or eligible by AB-540 Dream Act status • Complete the RCC Admissions application • Follow the RCC Promise Program Eligibility Checklist to ensure that the applications are completed successfully All applications for financial assistance programs (i.e. student loans, work compensation, grants, scholarships, special funds, subsidies, prices, etc.) will be considered by the Riverside Community College District without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or practices: District Compliance Officer, 3801 Market Street, Riverside, CA 92501 or (951) 222-8039. |
2. California College Promise GrantApplication
• Now open for Fall 2026 Eligibility Requirements • 2024 high school graduate • Complete required FAFSA application (Students who don't qualify for aid will still be eligible for the program) • Be a California resident or eligible by AB-540 Dream Act status • Complete the RCC Admissions application and identify Riverside City College as home campus • Commit to attending college full-time (12-15 units each fall and spring for a total of 30 units each year) Academic Criteria • None Promise Benefits • Tuition and fee waiver |
3. State Promise AB-19Application
• Now open for Fall 2026 Eligibility Requirements • 2024 high school graduate AND a first-time college student • Complete required FAFSA application. (Students who don't qualify for aid will still be eligible for the program.) • Be a California resident or eligible by AB-540 Dream Act status • Complete the RCC Admissions application and identify Riverside City College as home campus. • Commit to attending college full-time (12-15 units each fall and spring for a total of 30 units each year). Academic Criteria • None Promise Benefits • Tuition and fee waiver |