While students who have musical talent struggle with the cost of tuition and textbooks, it is nearly impossible for them to have private music lessons and tutoring that range anywhere from $75-$100 per hour or session.

But with the Applied Music Program at EC, student musicians now have that opportunity.

The Applied Music program (music 23abcd and music 90abcd) is one unit course exclusively for part- or full-time EC students.

It is for students who are serious about improving their musical abilities and also for those who have an intermediate skill level. The program has been in EC for more than 20 years.

In order to get into the program, a student must audition. Auditions are held each semester during the first week of instruction only.

For the audition, students are required to prepare a musical piece that they will either sing or play with their instrument in front of EC music faculty. They must also bring a letter of recommendation from a teacher who is familiar with the student’s musical ability and commitment and also a written statement addressing the student’s goals in the program.

Dr. Dane Teter, coordinator of the program, said that this program can help a student not only improve their skill but also help them transfer to a 4-year college and help them have a career in the music industry.

“This is a great program for those who are serious about music, especially for those that want to expand their growth in the music industry,” Teter said.

Once the student is accepted into the program, they will have a chance to showcase their talent in a variety of performances. “If they are accepted, they’ll get to perform in Jazz combos, recitals, duets, quartets and other ways that they can to improve their skill,” Teter said.

Students are also required to practice 6 hours per week, participate in a weekly recital class and also take part in the large performance ensemble at EC.

Esai Saucedo, a guitarist and music major, loves the program and the opportunity it presents. “Musicians always want to get better but they can’t afford the lessons because they’re too expensive,” Suacedo said.

Instead of paying for expensive music lessons, Saucedo has found an alternative.

“Each week, you get a one hour private lesson with one of the instructors at no additional charge. At other schools, it’s about 30 minutes. All I pretty much paid for was $50 dollars and I get 16 1-hour lessons, I get to perform in front of my peers and teachers and I develop great friendships with students and faculty; it’s amazing,” Saucedo said.

Although Saucedo is enjoying the program for the chance to develop his musical skill, Maya Perez , music therapy major and also a violinist, enjoys the help and the support everyone gives.

“You get to meet people with similar goals in life so they want to achieve as much as you do,” Perez said.

Aside from the benefits that the program offers, Perez loves the constructive criticisms from instructors and students who are there to help in every way. “The teachers, they’re always easy to find and they will give you constructive criticism if they think it could help you out,” Perez said.

What Jonathon Bruns, music major, loves most about the program is the positive atmosphere, and according to Bruns, everyone is always willing to help each other out.

In his third year in the program, Bruns says the students in the program feel like one happy family.

“Usually in music, people feel distant, you don’t socialize with people as much because they’re so focused and it’s a competition. But here, we’re like one big happy family,” Bruns said.

The program has opened doors to success for many students past and present.

“We have had students that moved on to prestige 4-year programs such as UCLA, USC. We had a student that started here and is now playing for the Los Angeles guitar quartet. Somebody who came from the program is now a backup trumpet player for Barry Manilow; I mean, it just opens the door to many great things,” Teter said.

Aside from the support of instructors and students, once in the program, there are various practice rooms for the student to play in and a music library which provides the students’ needs.

The library and practice rooms, however, are not only for students in the Applied Music program, but also for all EC students.

“For students who want a career in music, this program is definitely for you so please give it a shot and tryout next semester,” Teter said.