Looking for programs in electronic music for someone who already does a lot of work as a DJ with Electronic Dance Music Also curious about the possible portfolio and/or audition requirements for such a major.
Is there a particular region of the country you are interested in? And can you afford private, will you need financia or merit aid? If you can whittle it down a little, we might be able to answer more effectively 
Nycm…how much composing do you do? What’s your production background? Programming? And do you have prior formal music training/lessons/etc. academic stats? Your area of interest is pretty nuanced, so its hard to make meaningful recommendations without more info.
In terms of portfolio of work, programs like University of Michigan’s PAT (performing arts technology/engineering) program, NYU’s Clive Davis Recording Arts and Indiana U’s (Jacobs) Bsc in Recording Arts are 3 programs that delve into production and require samples of your work, but that will also to a degree understand the art form of interactive performance/production. These three programs are pretty competitive, and are the ones with which I am most familiar because my son previously applied to them, we visited each program, etc.
He attended his first choice, which was University of Mchigan, because that program most closely fit his wish list. There is a section of PAT where you can combine music composition and production with programming/ multimedia study and gear it toward interactive performance. The program hosted visitors like Ritchie Hawtin and Laurie Anderson, just to give you a feel since your interests sound like they run that direction.
At the same time, Michigan is very rigorous musically, so a student in that program is also expected to study music theory at a high level, compose and produce for acoustic instruments as well, and to some degree be comfortable with the classical canon, even if they lean toward classical minimalist or experimental in terms of electronic composition or commercially popular instrumentation in their own work. Eg. one of the portfolio assignments is to create an electronic instrumentation od a Bach fugue. another is to submit a sample of sampled sounds, plus an original score. In my son’s case, he had a performance background in classical and jazz that facilitated study in this kind of program. Not everyone in electronic music does.
So if you give us a little more info, maybe we can be of more help.
Many thanks, kmcmom13, I’m inquiring for a friend’s son, and yes, Michigan would be at the top of my list, as I’'m the Mom of a Michigan music alum myself (oboe performance), but I don’t know enough about the admissions process for the PAT program. You’re also correct that I don’t yet have enough information to share about the student’s other music background, as I suspect he will need to be fairly competent in other musical forms in order to qualify for Michigan. His other academics are OK and SAT scores are also OK. I think the Clive Davis program is currently his #1 choice, but I also don’t know if he has the music background he’ll need even though he’s a very successful (if very young) professional DJ! Perhaps I should send a PM once I know more? You’ve given me all the right questions to ask!
Michigan’s MPAT program offers a summer program called MPuluse for HS-college aged students. My son attended it as a rising sophomore, and it was very valuable in helping him decide what to look for in college programs. It is selective to get in, but there was interesting diversity in the students. My son was one of the two youngest, and probably the most classically trained (pianist and composer), other students ranged from a high school grad DJ looking to get into electronic music to a rapper/beat boxer. Facility and staff were both incredible. The application process was almost identical to their college app process, submitting a portfolio, letters of rec, essay, etc. so it was a nice preview for that whole grueling process. Definatley a program worth checking out!
Many thanks, SongandDanceMom! Sadly it seems that the MPulse MPAT program will not be offered this summer because of construction 
Hope I can find something similar elsewhere, however, as that would have been a perfect fit.
^yes, unfortunate timing! Please feel free to let me know if you find out more!
I found a similar sounding summer program Oberlin: http://new.oberlin.edu/office/summer-programs/sonic-arts/
Any thoughts??
That would be a good one, particularly if he/she is interested in the composition end of things.
On your other thread, I mentioned that 'electronic music" and “music technology” can mean a lot of things. Many classical composers are doing “electroacoustic” work. You mention DJ’ing. Kmcmom knows more about electronics and the production end of things, in the context of composing. The Oberlin program seems, as she said, to be more for (classical?)composers and can lead into their TIMARA program at the conservatory. Is that what you are looking for?Or are you looking for music production or recording technology or something else?
Thanks compmom, For now we are compiling a list with options to visit and explore. Probably not so much recording technology, but without a lot of classical training, options may be more limited than I had hoped.Based on the feedback so far I am proposing some programs that seem to require more music background (UMich’s MPAT, Oberlin Sonic Arts) some that seem more business-oriented (NYU’s Clive Davis Recording Arts, USC’s Music Industry program ) and some that seem more geared to acoustical engineering (Indiana U’s Jacobs Bsc in Recording Arts, MIami’s Frost Music Engineering) and even some pure Liberal Arts options where he can continue to pursue his budding DJ / EDM career on the side. (Columbia, UCLA?) All the comments so far have been very helpful. Any additional knowledge of these (or other programs would be much appreciated. We looked at Belmont, Berklee and other “popular music” programs, but they don’t look like a good fit.
There’s so much in the Music Major Forum history on this issue. I did a quick google search and came up with this thread - which archives all the older threads by subject area: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/957443-music-business-industry-management-technology-production.html
There are more recent threads, as well. Try googling with the words “College Confidential” “Music Major” and your areas of interest. (The search function works better than CC’s.)
I don’t see CCM (Univ. of Cincinnati) on your list - it’s a more recent program and maybe not on your radar?
I feel as if I am getting some threads on this forum at the moment, mixed up. Perhaps this thread will be helpful (it is right near yours!): http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/1729378-colleges-with-music-programs-that-do-not-require-auditions.html#latest
I mentioned UMass Lowell, Hartt School at U. of Hartford, Cal Arts, and Columbia College in Chicago on there. Don’t know if they are of interest.
You seem to have a pretty good handle on the differing aspects of “electronic music” at various schools, and the rough categories they fall into. Are you going to continue trying to find a school without an audition or portfolio requirement or is there time to prepare for either?
If you want to avoid those aspects of applying, you can, as you say, apply to a liberal arts college or university, decide on a major once there, and either study music and develop your work within school, or study something else and develop your work outside of the classroom (or take classes that fit your interests in music as electives).
Good luck!
Again many thanks to all who are sharing such helpful leads and information. We are certainly planning to prepare a portfolio, and audition if necessary, but recognize that any audition will be quite different from a traditional classical or jazz instrumental audition.
Some programs will actually have traditional auditions/portfolios even if the program is for electronic music (and of course some BA programs will have no audition/portfolio). The application process is as varied as the programs. I am sure you will be checking this aspect of applying. Phone calls to admissions offices or visits can be helpful along with the usual Internet research