Abstract
Songwriter and composer for media Justina Shandler offers a summary of the commercial music composition and production process. Included in this thesis are discussions of: compositional and lyric writing techniques and proposed unique audio solutions for a range of commercial applications within the film, radio, and music industries. Styles and forms of music discussed include full orchestral arrangements, contemporary popular music with emphasis on composition and lyric process, television commercial scores, and radio jingle including backing track, vocals, and full voice over. Analyses of the planning, writing, and production stages are followed by reflections on the challenges of the creation process. The effectiveness of each piece is determined not by musical aptitude, but by determining whether or not the composition fulfilled its commercial purpose. Challenges are addressed and plans for future compositions are outlined.