Hi, I just discovered that CC had a music major discussion, and I’m thrilled! I just finished the college search process with my D18, and am now searching ideas for my S16. He’s a sophmore in High School, and he thinks he’s interested in doing some sort of audio engineering / sound production / audio design… it’s confusing as to what it’s called at each college.
He also plays several instruments - but his main instrument is bass (upright and electric), and he wants to be able to play in college as well - loves jazz and rock/contemporary music. Does well with Classical as well, but it’s not his favorite.
Does anyone have college recommendations for us to check out. We do know about Belmont. He’s actually done 2 summer string camps there, which he enjoyed, and really loved the bass instructor there, but we need some more ideas where he could major in audio engineering and still have opportunities to play in a jazz band, rock band, and maybe orchestra. He would be willing to audition, and I would imagine he would do pretty well. He consistently makes Region and State orchestras and jazz bands in bass. I think he would want the audio production major to be housed within the music department.
At the elite end of the search, look at the PAT program at the University of Michigan. It sounds like it might fit your son well. They offer multiple degree tracks depending on the student’s primary focus. Do know that it’s very competitive. https://smtd.umich.edu/departments/performing-arts-technology/
I would add Ithaca, Miami Frost, Columbia College Chicago, Denver, College of St. Rose and NYU.
Oberlin has a Sonic Arts program in the summer. There are others.
The truth is, he can do music tech/audio production at many BM schools. He can also do some of this work at a BA program, formally and informally. You really have to dig into websites, look at curricula, course descriptions, degree requirements.
He may be able to do jazz performance as well, though some conservatory type environments encourage a narrow focus. That doesn’t mean he can’t gig or find people to play with, and many curricula will allow for both interests. Again, you have to dig and ask questions, and visits are helpful.
He has some time still to figure out what he really wants to do. In the meantime, it sounds like he is enjoying himself and working hard too.
U. of Denver for audio production but I know people who have done music in Boulder too.
Lots of research to do and in the process you may get some understanding of a complicated field with many names
Be aware that there is a technical side to studio production, and a creative side, and some programs focus on one or the other and others both.
Also, many composers (classical programs) get into electronic music ( a term that can also mean dance music, further muddying things!), electroacoustic composition, computer music, sonic arts, sonology, acousmatic composition- it is all a little confusing and it really depends on the kind of work he wants to do.
Look at TIMARA at Oberlin and MEME at Brown for examples.
Columbia College Chicago might be a good website to sample, but all the schools mentioned so far will have their own twist on things so to speak.
