AN associate degree in music performance is now being offered at Alpha School of Music in Kingston. The two-year programme, which will begin in September, was designed to provide opportunities in the commercial music and entertainment industry for young men between 16 and 25.

Students will be required to have four Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate subjects including mathematics and English, or stage three City and Guilds in mathematics and English, along with other documentation.

Clayon Samuels, senior music instructor, said the degree programme will help youngsters to meet industry standard competencies.

“Graduates will have a strong grasp of not just music theory and practical training, but also teamwork, the music business and the evolution of music, thus helping Alpha grads make a smooth transition to work,” said Samuels.

A cost of $1,500 is required for registration, while the tuition fee is $150,000 for each academic year. Student services, scholarship awards and work and study opportunities are available to all students in need of financial assistance.

In addition, students will have access to resources which include an on-campus recording studio, keyboard lab, computer resource centre, disc jockey set ups, sound system and 24/7 streaming radio station, and digital audio workstations running industry standard Pro Tools and Sibelius software.

Margaret Little Wilson, school administrator, pointed out that the need for the associate degree became increasingly apparent following the expansion of the trade training programme.

“The trade training programme for at-risk youth which is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy in Jamaica has been so successful that we realised our students are capable of attaining a higher education,” she said.

“However, a vocational associate degree in music performance was just not available in Jamaica, until now. We invite young men with a passion for music to speak with us and visit the campus.”

Application forms for the degree programme are available until June 30 at the school’s website, www.alphamusicja.com.