<p>I posted here a while back and have been doing a TON of research on schools but I just seem to keep going around in circles. </p>
<p>Here's what I'm interested in. What I hope to do is expand my knowledge of production electronic music, it's the base hobby that brought me to this field in the first place. I've loved music for a really long time, I played the piano/trumpet through high school and a few years ago went into music production. I took some SAE classes, and then a local community college class and it was the most fun I've ever had at school. I'm not so much interested in recording arts, or live recording. Mostly the computer stuff behind it. Although, I did have a Musique Concrete project where we recorded our own sounds which I had a BLAST in. But the whole sound board, recording studio thing doesn't interest me as much, but maybe it's just something I HAVE to learn to be in this field. </p>
<p>Anyways, I'm pretty realistic in the fact that producing music as a profession is rather a long shot. I realize it's possible, and if my talent is good enough I wouldn't turn that opportunity down, but I also want back up plans. </p>
<p>Another hobby of mine is video games, I've been playing since I was practically born so it dawned on me that I could mix my two passions together. I could either be a sound designer or music composer for video games. That seems more of a realistic job than being the next Gaga producer. </p>
<p>My real question here is, what kind of major should I even be looking for? At first I was searching Music Technology, but then I realized that majors like this are called a bunch of different things. I also did some research and found that a lot of Sound Designers actually got a degree in composition. Would composition be the way to go? Do they teach things like DAW programs in composition majors? Should I stick to a Music Tech program? What other programs are similar to what I'm looking for? Or should I look for something that also works with live recording? Because I realize that a big part of sound design is recording live sounds (foley artist). </p>
<p>If I had a list of programs then maybe it'd be easier for me to figure out what school is best suitable for me. I've seen a TON of composition programs but I've always steered away from them because I figured they were too traditional for what I'm looking for. Any thoughts? Thanks :) Sorry if this topic is a repeat!</p>
<p>I think composition would be the way to go. It’s great that you loved the music concrete class. Look for schools with excellent electroacoustic faculty and classes within the music department. As a general music or composition major, whether for a BA or BM, you would also take a lot of music theory classes, music history, ethnomusicology etc.</p>
<p>Look at the Oberlin Conservatory TIMARA program for an example, and see if that is the type of thing you want. Most music departments have a course or two in electroacoustic composition and/or music and techology. But some have cohesive programs, and Oberlin is a good one to look at to get an idea of what ithat might be like.</p>
<p>Someone on this forum has a son going to Hartt for a double major in composition and recording technology (my memory is not good so the person can correct me here, but I think that is what it was.)</p>
<p>I could list programs I have heard of, but others with more knowledge in this area will come on and help. </p>
<p>p.s.My daughter also took a course in electroacoustic composition this past fall, for which she made many trips to the hardware store. The hardware store employees all got very involved in her projects! Like you, she had a blast.</p>
<p>It is my son who will be going to Hartt next year for a 5 year double major in Composition and Music Production and Technology. It seems like a pretty dynamic and progressive program. I cannot say I know that much about it (or the industry for that matter) but I am sure over the next 5 years I will learn a lot. At Hartt you have to have a classical or jazz focus on your instrument.</p>
<p>I would also suggest looking at Berklee because it has a few different programs in the recording technology field and of course they offer composition.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! I’ve decided to give a few programs a closer look to see how much composition is involved in Music Technology programs or see if their composition major is something of interest. </p>
<p>Do any of you guys know anything about the University of Oregon, B.S. in Music Technology major? I’ve been looking at it closer and it looks like something I’d consider. Reason I have taken interest into that school is because I like the northwest, and also the price seems to be what I’m looking for. If price wasn’t a factor, I think I’d be at Berklee already! </p>
<p>Also, another one I looked at was CSU at Chico, anybody know of anything on that school? The most I can find about these programs is just what it tells me on the website. </p>
<p>Another question, Is it important to go to school in the area you plan on working? For example, like I said in my original post. I’m interested in the video game or film industry. Mostly, this is based in California. I’d imagine it’d be a good opportunity for internships and such, but how much does it actually affect it? I believe the U of O program helps grads find interns but it’s not required. And I know that would probably make a great deal of difference as well.</p>
<p>It looks like the BS degree at U. of Oregon, in Music Technology, has the traditional courses in theory, aural and keyboard skills, music history, and ethnomusicology as well as requirements for performance (3 semesters of study plus ensemble work). The major also has requirements in the area of math and computer science. And some gen ed requirements (it is a BS not a BM degree).</p>
<p>And here is a summary of the curriculum’s goals (note it is not “vocational” or related to recording or other technical careers):</p>
<p>“Each curriculum strives to balance the development of artistic and creative skills with the mastery of the technical aspects of the discipline. The focus is on the creation of new types of musical and intermedia content, not on the vocational training of recording engineers or related technicians. Courses emphasize electronic music and intermedia composition, new performance paradigms that employ sensors, gaming and wireless network devices, and real-time interactive musical and media environments.”</p>
<p>I think you are on to something when you asked about going to school geographically close to where all the action is. Internships, connections and the reputation of the specific program as well as professors can all help you land a job.</p>
<p>Thanks again guys. I appreciate the help. Right now I’m thinking about starting at a community college that can easily transfer to a reputable, yet cheaper school. I’m thinking about either California or Oregon. Does anybody have any other ideas? I think I’m stuck finding good community colleges to start at that can transfer in to a Cali state school. And like I said, I’m still considering UO as an option. I’m thinking I
want a good mix of technology and composition.</p>
<p>While I would highly recommend a jr. college for most degree programs, if the program that you settle on is a BM a year at jr. college may not be the best idea. BM programs are highly intensive and allow very few non-music classes. Most Jr. Colleges don’t have many music programs. So ya, you could get some of your general education classes out of the way at a Jr. College, but you would most likely end up having to go to the university for 4 years anyway (on top of the Jr. College classes). </p>
<p>One of the disadvantages for someone who has not yet decided on a major but is leaning towards something that their Jr. College doesn’t offer is that they can’t “get their feet wet” in that subject, so when they transfer from the Jr. College they really still don’t have a clue of if that major is right for them.</p>
<p>By the way, I am not against Jr. Colleges at all. My son just started classes today at our local Jr. College, taking some general ed requirments, so that he can just concentrate on his music classes when he returns to his University in August.</p>
<p>A BS degree like the one at Oregon also usually has a sequence of courses that starts early, too. The course sequence on the link I posted is a good example.</p>
<p>Sorry, I guess I didn’t clarify enough. I’m finding a ton of Community Colleges on the west coast that offer something in Music Technology, or sometimes they even call it “Commercial Music”. Anyways, for example, for Oregon, there’s a CC called Lane community college that has a program that’s directly related to the Music program at Oregon. I’m not really looking at going to community college to get my gen ed requirements out of the way. (Even though that’s what EVERY adult tells me to do :P) </p>
<p>I guess I’m just looking for places right now that either offer courses I can take that can transfer or something like that. For example, the Chico program, the head of department said I needed to find an equivalent of Music Theory I and II and Intro to Music Technology because those are the prereqs to his program. Which, I’ve found a LOT of community colleges at California offer. I guess I’m kind of working backwards by trying to find a good 4 year school and then seeing what can transfer into it.</p>