Commercial Entertainment Technical Certificate

Program and Career Description

The Commercial Entertainment Technical Certificate is designed for students who want to enter the entertainment field immediately upon receiving the certificate as a performer (singer/dancer) or songwriter, and provides a balanced approach to the skills needed to seek employment in this field. Courses in the Commercial Entertainment certificate program may be applied toward the Commercial Entertainment associate degree program. Below are a few examples of career and salary estimates.

Career	Lowest Entry-Level Pay	Median Pay	Experienced Pay
Singers	$9.33 an hour	$24.14 an hour	$63.13 an hour
Music Directors and Composers	$10.84 an hour	$24.09 an hour	$55.58 an hours
Dancers/Choreographers	$9.50 an hour	$16.85 an hour	$39 an hour

Career Salary information taken from www.jobs4tn.gov.  Check out these web sites for additional information about job descriptions, education requirements and abilities, and supply and demand for these careers. For additional information from a national perspective, go to Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor on the internet at www.bls.gov.  Visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook on this website.  Salaries are not guaranteed.

Transfer Options

This certificate program is not designed for transfer to a four year college or university. However, some agreements are in place that will allow credit to be given for a portion or the entirety of this degree path. Please check with the transfer institution or your advisor for specific details.

Articulation agreements exist between other private and non-TN public institutions. These agreements are available at www.columbiastate.edu/admissions/transfer-information.

Technical Certificate (Designed for the student who does not intend to transfer into a baccalaureate degree program.)

Admission Requirements

Program applicants are selected twice a year for fall and spring semesters. Students interested in applying to the Commercial Entertainment Program should follow the procedures listed below:

1. All applicants must meet the general requirements for admission to the College and apply for admission as stated in the College catalog.
2. Complete a Request for Admission to Commercial Entertainment Program form before the beginning of the semester in which the student plans to enroll in the program.
   1. Forms are available in the Commercial Entertainment office at the Williamson Campus of Columbia State Community College. Prospective students may call (615)790-4420 to request that the form be received through the mail.
   2. Health Requirements
      1. Students must be physically able to participate in dance, drama, and singing.
      2. Prior to participating in stagecraft classes, it is recommended that students have a Tetanus booster if it has been more than five years since their last booster.
3. Commercial Entertainment students must exhibit proficiency in at least one of four areas: dance, drama, singing or music. Upon receipt of the Request for Admission form, the program director will contact the student to set an appointment for an audition. Audition appointments will not be scheduled until a completed Request for Admission form is received. Due to limited enrollment, early applicants will receive first audition appointment options.
   1. Appointments for in-person auditions may be scheduled any time before the official registration day for the beginning of the semester. This audition may be recorded by the program director to be used to confer with faculty in the Commercial Entertainment program.
   2. An applicant may elect to submit a prerecorded audition on CD/DVD. The deadline for submission of prerecorded auditions is August 1 for fall semester and December 1 for spring semester.
4. The audition should showcase the applicant's skill in at least one of the following areas: dance, drama, and/or singing. The following table shows the requirements of the audition for each skill area.

Requirements for Audition

Skill Area	Timeframe	Performance
Dance	1 - 1.5 minutes	Choreographed routine exhibiting proficiency in jazz, tap, or ballet. Dance attire required for the dance audition. Musical accompaniment on CD required.
Drama	1 minute each	Two contrasting monologues. Do not bring props to the audition.
Voice	1 - 2 minutes	Pop, country, jazz, or musical theatre selection. Musical accompaniment on CD required.

5. The number of applicants admitted is determined by space available. Criteria for admissions are an acceptable level of proficiency in one or more of the three skill areas as determined by the program director. The program director will notify all students in writing concerning the disposition of their application within thirty days of their audition.