contemporary music program comparison

College Majors Music Major
1

I’m planning on majoring in contemporary music (voice, songwriting, production are my “specialities” I have a pretty long list of schools, but wouldn’t mind looking a few more. If any of you know of any schools that I should add to my list, let me know. Preferably, near or in a big city. Additionally, if there are any schools that I should take off my list, let me know. Also just general info about the schools would be appreciated. Here’s my list:

Goldsmiths University of London
Loyola New Orleans
Columbia Chicago
Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts
USC Thornton
NYU Clive Davis
New School

Also if anyone knows anything about UCLA’s music program, please let me know.

Thank you so much.

2

I don’t think new school has contemporary (other than jazz.) You may want to look at U-Miami frost, berklee, and CalArts.

3

Shenandoah
Berklee
(Have heard good things about Liverpool–which I see you have on your list)

4

For production I have this list in my docs, not finished…since you also want songwriting this may have too many and most have been mentioned:

http://www.berklee.edu/majors includes contemporary writing/production, production/design, film etc.
http://www.uml.edu/FAHSS/music/Programs/Undergraduate/SRT/Sound-Recording-Technology.aspx includes internships-very well regarded nationally
http://www.northeastern.edu/camd/music/academic-programs/bs-in-music-industry/ includes coop
http://www.emerson.edu/academics/departments/visual-media-arts/undergraduate-programs/audiosound-design
http://harttweb.hartford.edu/undergraduate/music/production.aspx excellent conservatory w/music production, affordable
http://www.purchase.edu/departments/AcademicPrograms/Arts/music/programs.aspx excellent conservatory w/studio composition and studio production, just outside NYC, very affordable
http://www.clarku.edu/departments/clarkarts/music/ Clark has production elements and scoring etc. but NO AUDITION- the advantage of a college / university versus conservatory/music school (but you can submit work as an arts supplement)
https://www.ithaca.edu/academics/majors-minors/sound-recording-technology-bm
https://peabody.jhu.edu/academics/degrees-programs/bm/bmrecarts/
https://smtd.umich.edu/departments/performing-arts-technology/
https://liberalarts.du.edu/lamont/academics/undergraduate-programs
https://www.colum.edu/academics/programs/music-bmus they also have
https://www.colum.edu/academics/programs/music-technology and audio arts
Elon
Carnegie Mellon
Miami Frost
UNT
USC
NYU
Ga Tech, Clemson (audio technology), Drexel, Belmont, Middle TN, Univ NC Asheville. College of St. Rose

5

I am researching schools with music production programs right now for my son. There’s also:

Syracuse Setnor school (though it requires an audition that seems fairly demanding considering it’s not a performance degree https://vpa.syr.edu/academics/music/programs/sound-recording-technology-bm/)
SUNY Fredonia (also requires an audition on an orchestral instrument–no electric guitar, bass or drums) https://www.fredonia.edu/academics/colleges-schools/school-music/music/srt)
American www.american.edu/cas/audio-technology/ba-apro.cfm
Connecticut College https://drexel.edu/westphal/academics/undergraduate/MIP/
Duquesne (also requires an audition https://www.duq.edu/academics/schools/music/prospective-students/programs-of-study/music-technology)
Loyola New Orleans if urban music is your thing https://www.loyno.edu/academics/colleges/college-music-media/urban-electronic-music-production
University of Rochester (more of an audio engineering degree http://www.hajim.rochester.edu/ame/undergraduate/index.html)
Tufts (seems like a small program https://as.tufts.edu/music/students/undergraduate/majorMusic2), Northwestern
https://www.music.northwestern.edu/academics/areas-of-study/composition
Indiana Jacobs School (also more of an audio engineering degree it seems https://music.indiana.edu/departments/academic/audio-engineering-and-sound-production/)
Bard (the degree is Electronic Music but it includes audio production/recording) https://music.bard.edu/electronic-music/
Oberlin Timara https://www.oberlin.edu/summer-programs/sonic-arts-workshop/about-timara

Note that SUNY Purchase seems to set a pretty high bar: “The program seeks a limited number of experienced producers and engineers who display advanced skills in recording, production, and associated technology.” Clark has a music degree with a technology track but no music technology degree and the program seems small. We have just started touring, but so far my son really likes Northeastern. We have high hopes for Michigan though we know it’s very competitive.

6

Oops, I see you already have Loyola NO.

7

TIMARA is a different kind of program, as is Brown’s MEME.

The differences in terminology for music production, studio production, audio technology etc etc. are daunting and when you add in singing and songwriting teh search is even harder. The usual Frost, USC, Berklee are most often mentioned, plus Columbia College Chicago, Loyola NO for the combo you are seeking.

It seems you have already done an excellent job compiling a list and just need to add Frost and Berklee :slight_smile:

8

Brown no longer has a MEME program for undergrads.

9

DS16 doesn’t want a conservatory (so Berklee is out) and Frost is a possibility though perhaps not the best fit. But keep the suggestions coming. :slight_smile:

10

Also check out Belmont

11

Hello, my son is looking info contemporary or jazz music programs for the fall and I was wondering where you ended up?

12

Yes but it is useful to look at to distinguish the different genres under the umbrella of electronic music, production or even contemporary music. Brown changed their undergrad curriculum a few years back.