NEW DIPLOMA PROGRAMS ANNOUNCED BY US SCHOOL OF COMMERCIAL MUSIC

An expansive restructuring has resulted in comprehensive student-customizable offerings with increased relevance to individual goals.

NEWARK, Delaware, November 1, 2007 - US School of Commercial Music is pleased to announce today the restructuring of its Diploma Programs so that students can construct custom study programs to acquire the musical backgrounds they need to achieve their personal musical goals. Nine typical programs are listed on the USSCM website, but students are free to design their own using helpful online tools (see http://www.usschoolofmusic.com/catalog/musicianType.html). Typical programs are:

DIPLOMAS
Performance Diploma
Songwriting Diploma
Arranging & Orchestration Diploma
Multimedia Composition Diploma
Music Production Engineering Diploma

Composer-Performing Artist Diploma
Professional Arranger Diploma
Professional Composer Diploma
Professional Musician Diploma

Another approach to constructing a USSCM program is to pick a musical persona called a "Concentration," such as:

Performer-Soloist
Performer-Sideman
Songwriter-Player/Performer
Performer-Singer/Songwriter
Arranger-Producer
Multimedia Scoring Composer
Music Production Engineer
Music Business Professional

No matter what the definition is, US School of Commercial Music has a program for every serious student of Popular music.

Each fully-constructed USSCM program consists of a series of focused concentrations called "Modules," Each four-microsemester Module deals with a particular area of musical tools and experience. The following Modules are the 'heart and soul' of USSCM's programs:

MODULES
Performance & Improvisation
Schillinger System, LineWriting & Music Business
Advanced Improvisation
Melody/Songwriting & Linear Counterpoint
Arranging & Orchestration
Media Composition & Scoring
Music Production & Engineering

USSCM Diploma students also choose at least two Certificate Courses as electives. Students may choose from two to seven 4-microsemester modules, taken in the order of their preference. This sequencing changes the character of their program and tailors it to a student's personal requirements. First in the sequence for all programs is the "Performance & Improvisation" module, which is a requirement for all Diploma Program students. They may then choose their preferred order for the Advanced Improv, Songwriting-Linear Counterpoint or Schillinger System modules. The Schillinger System enhances various musical skills and is prerequisite to Arranging/Orchestration, which is, in turn, prerequisite to MediaScoring. This approach allows students to design an academic program which best suits their skills and goals.

The first elective is taken between the 3rd & 4th microsemeters and second elective between the 7th & 8th microsemesters (MI FA and SI DO). The second octave of studies may include electives in the same way.

When students are ready to start their studies, they are encouraged to call to discuss their program design.

At the end of their studies, USSCM students are awarded a Diploma citing all the Modules and electives they have thus far accomplished. Students taking only Certificate courses are awarded a Certificate.

About the US School of Commercial Music
First founded in 1915, US School of Commercial Music continues a rich tradition as the oldest, most trusted name in distance music learning. Beginning in 1995, USSCM was the first institution to offer a college-level commercial music Diploma Program via online technology. Today, USSCM offers Diploma Programs in every major category of commercial music, as well as unique proprietary Certificate Courses with content unobtainable elsewhere. Recognizing that each music student has unique needs, USSCM's Matriculate™ online technology gives students the unparalleled flexibility to design the exact program they need by sequencing seven basic areas called "Modules": Performance & Improvisation, Schillinger System/LineWriting/Music Business, Advanced Improvisation, Melody/SongWriting & Linear Counterpoint, Arranging & Orchestration, Media Composition & Scoring and Music Production & Engineering. Each Module consists of 4 microsemesters of concentrated studies.

At the start of each microsemester, US School of Commercial Music students receive a large package of customized materials covering all their study subjects. Projects are recorded and returned to the college via the internet for rapid feedback. According to Professor Amaral of USSCM, "Choice and flexibility are great reasons to choose USSCM for your commercial music education." He continued, "USSCM has an approach unlike any other:
• It mixes proprietary materials with the best of published materials, which are evaluated and upgraded twice yearly.
• There are no distracting non-music 'academic' subjects, such as English or History.
• There is no internal competition for resources between a 'bricks and mortar operation' versus 'online'
• USSCM has only one agenda: a student's rapid progress on a "microsemester" pace, rather than keeping him or her in a too-lengthy "semester" program.
• Students work in all four rhythm section instrumental areas each microsemester.
• Students record homework in each subject.
• Feedback about homework is greatly facilitated by online communication and often seems immediate.
• USSCM tuition is realistic, with generous scholarships and discounts.
• USSCM programs offer students a level of choice and customization very difficult to achieve and manage with a 'classroom' model of course delivery."

US School of Commercial Music is the most economical way to acquire the knowledge and skills a commercial musician needs to compete and 'collect a paycheck' in today's noisy musical environment. USSCM students save considerable money by studying at home, anywhere in the world, and they may actually get a better education than at typical 'bricks and mortar' schools. While there is no substitute for working with fellow students shoulder to shoulder, student peers are seldom professionals. In comparison with many other schools and other approaches to commercial music study, USSCM exposes each student to a higher quality of music information, better accompaniments and professional presentations, because it upgrades materials on a semi-annual basis, with the primary requirement that it be the best information and most effective presentation available. By rising above the typical noise in music education, USSCM saves its students time, money and energy.

At www.usschoolofmusic.com, prospective students may read about course offerings, initiate inquiries, design their program, determine tuition costs, scholarship elgibility, financing options and aid, fill out and submit their application, print their learning agreement for faxing, and much more. Also from the college homepage, students, alumni and industry professionals may access several useful resources: Music Industry News, USSCM News, MI Jobs, USSCM Forum and USSCM Internet Radio.

For more information, please contact
US School of Commercial Music
www.usschoolofmusic.com
info@usschoolofmusic.com
617-666-4839