At the center, named for the late Johnny Mann, a Grammy Award-winning composer, arranger, and friend of AU, students earn a Bachelor of Music with a Concentration in Commercial Music. Performance-based and focused on contemporary styles, our program gives students a background in songwriting, arranging and conducting.

Our program also has a strong emphasis on the technology of the music industry and the improvisational skills needed to perform in a commercial environment. Graduates will have hands-on skills in studio recording and have the tools and knowledge to market themselves and become established musicians in the ever-changing industry.