Music
MJC Music Program
The MJC Music Program offers courses for students wishing to earn an associate’s degree in music, general education courses for non-music majors, and courses designed for community members. These include a comprehensive curriculum of music theory and musicianship.
Ensemble and production courses include Concert and Symphonic Bands, Day and Evening Jazz Bands, Concert and Chamber Choirs, Masterworks Chorus, Community Orchestra, Guitar Orchestra, opera/musical theatre productions, chamber music performances, and electronic music productions.
The program also offers applied studies in piano, organ, harpsichord, guitar, voice, violin/viola, cello/bass, woodwinds, and brass/percussion, as well as survey courses such as Music Appreciation, Introduction to World Music, Introduction to American Popular Music, and History of Western Music.
Click Here to make a donation towards MJC Music Department Ernie Bucio Scholarship
Music (Full-Time Faculty)
David Dow, PAC 232
209.575.6078
dowd@yosemite.edu
Electronic Music, Music Technology, Multimedia & Recording
Dr. Duana Demus Leslie, MUS 107
209.575.6262
demusleslied@yosemite.edu
Applied Vocal Rep, Vocal Master, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir
Erik Maki, MUS 110
209.575.6184
makie@yosemite.edu
Brass, Woodwind, Jazz, Symphonic, Concert Band, & Music Appreciation
Dr. Alejandro Sabre, MUS 117
209.575.6263
sabrea@yosemite.edu
Piano, Music Theory, Aural Skills, & Musicianship Listening
Travis Silvers, MUS 113
209.575.6259
silverst@yosemite.edu
Guitar, Introduction to World Music, Music Fundamentals, & Intro to American Popular
Music
Wayland Whitney, MUS 118
209.575.6646
whitneyw@yosemite.edu
Orchestra and Strings
Music (Part-Time Faculty)
John Hillebrandt
hillebrandtj@yosemite.edu
Music Appreciation
Guy Powell
powellg@yosemite.edu
Music Appreciation
Michael Silva
silvam@yosemite.edu
Guitar, Intro American Pop Music,
Music Appreciation
Cathryn Tortell
tortellc@yosemite.edu
Professor of Music, Emeritus
Music Appreciation
Music Staff
Mattea Overstreet
Instructional Support Technician
Electronic Music & Recording Arts
overstreetm@yosemite.edu
Music Lab, PAC 226
209.575.6085
Accompanist
Last Updated 8/15/23
Associate in Arts: Music
The MJC Music Program off ers courses for students wishing to earn an Associate’s
Degree in Music, general education courses for non-music majors, and courses designed
for community members. These include a comprehensive curriculum of music theory and
musicianship. Ensemble and production courses include Concert and Symphonic Bands,
Day and Evening Jazz Bands, Concert and Chamber Choirs, Masterworks Chorus, Community
Orchestra, Guitar Orchestra, opera/musical theatre productions, chamber music performances,
and electronic music productions. The program also off ers applied studies in piano,
organ, harpsichord, guitar, voice, violin/ viola, cello/bass, woodwinds, and brass/percussion,
as well as survey courses such as Music Appreciation, Introduction to World Music,
Introduction to American Popular Music, and History of Western Music.
To earn an Associate in Arts degree in this major, the student must complete the requirements
detailed in the Career Technical Education Pathway or the University Preparation Pathway
which include completion of the requirements below. Students who plan to transfer
to a four-year school are strongly advised to meet with a member of the music faculty.
Associate in Arts for Transfer: Music
The MJC Music Program offers courses for students wishing to earn an Associate’s Degree
in Music. Our comprehensive curriculum includes the following core classes for music
majors: music theory and musicianship classes; ensemble classes that include Concert
and Symphonic Bands, Day and Evening Jazz Bands, Concert and Chamber Choirs, Masterworks
Chorus, Community Orchestra, Guitar Orchestra, Opera and Musical Theatre productions,
as well as Chamber Music performances. The program also offers applied studies in
piano, organ, harpsichord, guitar, voice, violin/viola, cello/bass, woodwinds, and
brass/ percussion. Lastly, our program also offers survey courses such as Music Appreciation,
Introduction to World Music, Introduction to American Popular Music, and History of
Western Music that can be taken as electives by both music and non-music majors. The
Associate in Arts in Music for Transfer Degree is intended for students who plan to
complete a bachelor’s degree in Music Studies at a CSU campus. Students completing
the transfer degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular
campus or major. Students transferring to a CSU campus that accepts this degree will
be required to complete no more than 60 units after transferring to earn a bachelor’s
degree. The transfer degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer
to a particular CSU campus or a university that is not part of the CSU system. In
all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university
admission and transfer requirements.
Certificate of Achievement: Recording Arts
The Recording Arts Program at Modesto Junior College provides students the technical
and musical skills to meet the challenges of today’s ever changing fi eld of modern
music production. The program is designed for students who wish to pursue a career
in the Sound Engineering, Sound Design, Music Production, Live Sound, Music Sales
and Music Composition for Radio, TV, Film, and Video. The topics include recording
studio techniques, live sound engineering, music production, sound design, synthesizers,
music technology, music notation and music composition. Opportunities for hands on
recording sessions, live sound mixing, original music composition and performance
in concert are provided.
Certificate of Film and Video Production *New Fall 2023
The Film, Television, & Electronic Media Certificate of Achievement Program prepares
students to enter broadcasting, cable, online media, and related industries. Students
can pursue degrees in the field of mass or electronic communication for work in audio
and video production, radio and television, cable television and media departments
of companies and government agencies. This program prepares students for entry level
jobs and to enter a two-year degree program for additional study.
Consult the MJC College Catalog for the latest listing of degree and skills recognition award requirements.
Music Majors - Piano Performance
2024 SPRING SEMESTER
UPCOMING EVENTS
Brass and Wind Concert
Thursday, April 18 at 7pm
Recital Hall (Music 108), East Campus
*Free Admission, Donations Accepted*
For more information, please contact
Erik Maki / makie@yosemite.edu
Choral Concert
Friday, April 19 at 7pm
Tickets $7 General / $5 Students & Seniors
Performing and Media Arts Center,
Main Auditorium
Duana Demus Leslie / demusleslie@yosemite.edu
Tickets are available online mjc.tix.com, at the Box Office, and at the door beginning 90 minutes prior to performance
Buy Tickets Here
Applied Voice Recital
Monday, April 22 at 7pm
Music Building, Recital Hall (Music 108)
*Free Admission, Donations Accepted*
For more information, please contact
Duana Demus Leslie / demusleslied@yosemite.edu
Symphonic Band Concert
Monday, April 22 at 7pm
Performing and Media Arts Center,
Main Auditorium
*Free Admission, Donations Accepted*
For more information, please contact
Erik Maki /makie@yosemite.edu
Abigail Garland & Stevie Gonzalez Voice Recital
Tuesday, April 23 at 6:30pm
Music Building, Recital Hall (Music 108)
*Free Admission, Donations Accepted*
For more information, please contact
Duana Demus Leslie / demusleslied@yosemite.edu
Community Orchestra Concert
Tuesday, April 23 at 7pm
Tickets: $7 General / $5 Students
Performing and Media Arts Center,
Main Auditorium
Wayland Whitney / whitneyw@yosemite.edu
Tickets are available online mjc.tix.com, at the Box Office, and at the door beginning 90 minutes prior to performance
Community Concert Band
Wednesday, April 24 at 7pm
Performing and Media Arts Center, Main Auditorium
*Free Admission, Donations Accepted*
For more information, please contact
Erik Maki / makie@yosemite.edu
Applied Piano Concert
Thursday, April 25 at 7pm
Recital Hall (Music 108), East Campus
*Free Admission, Donations Accepted*
For more information, please contact
Alejandro Sabre / sabrea@yosemite.edu
Strings Recital
Friday, April 26 at 7pm
Music Building, Recital Hall (Music 108)
*Free Admission, Donations Accepted*
For more information, please contact
Wayland Whitney / whitneyw@yosemite.edu
Piano Enrichment Concert
Saturday, April 27 at 7pm
Recital Hall (Music 108), East Campus
*Free Admission, Donations Accepted*
For more information, please contact
David Dow / dowd@yosemite.edu
Damian Ortega, Solo Cello Recital
Thursday, Mary 2 at 7:00pm
Music Building, Recital Hall (Music 108)
For more information, please contact
Wayland Whitney / whitneyw@yosemite.edu