Hey guys. So, I’m pretty deep into the college search process. I basically have a finalized college list, and now I just have to answer the supplemental questions. One of the questions (it was for UT) asked “if you could have any career, what would it be?” I don’t know what I want to be, but after thinking about it, I had an answer: an audio engineer. It was like an epiphany. I realized I’d like to study audio engineering if I had the opportunity to, but the problem is, there are no schools on my apply list that have audio engineering majors.
It seems like UT actually has something with their Arts and Entertainment Technologies major, but I’m not sure if that is a good option. I also don’t want to go to a school that is primarily focused on audio engineering. I still want the typical university experience. And speaking of experience, I don’t have any in audio engineering. So even if I wanted to go to school for it, I probably wouldn’t even get accepted, because you need to send in a portfolio for many of the schools (like USC - otherwise I’d consider it because I still get the university experience). Basically, the problem is finding a school that has an environment I like but also offers courses in areas I’m interested in.
The reason audio engineering is appealing to me is because I love music, but I’m not really talented in terms of composing, so I wouldn’t make a good musician. I do have a creative side, but I don’t like having pressure and feeling like I’m forced to create something. I have a good work ethic and am organized/detail oriented, so I think audio engineering would be a good way to still be in the industry and around music while playing to my strengths. However, this is hardly a permanent decision. Like I said, I have no experience. It’s just something I’d like to explore, but I feel my options are limiting considering nowhere I’m applying to has audio engineering programs (except maybe UT).
UT is one of my top choices, and I think a good approach for me would be to take some courses in the Arts and Entertainment Technologies and try to learn outside of the university. As in, if there is a local concert going on, I would try and make connections with the audio engineer and see if I can observe or help out in any way. I know the music scene in Austin is great and it’s a great college town. What are your opinions? Are there any better routes for me to take? Thanks!
“Music technology” means many things to different people. Studio production, audio engineering, electroacoustic composition and so on. I think your epiphany is good guidance as to your interests but don’t think you have to go to a school that specializes in it. You can do that in grad school if your interest persists, or learn on the job or interning or even volunteering.
Many music departments will have classes in music technology, believe me, and the will also have an audio person who might welcome help.
As you say, you don’t have experience enough to feel this is a permanent direction (and you don’t need a permanent direction yet, you can explore). And you don’t have a portfolio.
Check out Columbia College Chicago just in case.
Well known programs seem to include U. of Michigan’s PAT program, Hartt, Ithaca, Northeastern, UMass Lowell, SD Conservatory…but these are intensive, specialized programs and I think you would do well to go to an undergrad program that is broader. You can specialize later.
I was tickled by your comment “I do have a creative side, but I don’t like having pressure and feeling like I’m forced to create something.” I had some flashbacks to my youth.
I am an electrical/software engineer, and I feel like there is always forceful pressure to create something. Rolling Action Item Lists (RAIL), Earned Value, and More.
Is your college based on music schools/programs? Are you planning on majoring in music? And when you say “audio engineering”, are you talking about being a sound engineer, like in a recording studio or performance venue, who manages the technical aspects of the sound, with equipment, mixing, editing, etc.?
Many, if not most, music schools today have some sort of audio technology/production program (or at least classes) available but those classes aren’t always available to non-music students or, if it’s a degree program, to those outside of the major, mostly because the equipment is expensive and limited. That said, most schools have recording studios, so there’s opportunity for some level of exposure.
My sense is that many students don’t start their college careers majoring in audio technology but move into it as they realize that this is the focus they want. I know a few kids who are majoring in this and all but one started in performance and the one who started in Michigan’s PAT program as a freshman had a lot of playing experience in high school. All of them (I know four) are solid musicians.
In college, I don’t think there’s much distinction between audio technology and music production – I think you have to understand both to do either one well. And, while different from composition, they’re both VERY creative fields.
Berklee has a good production program. It’s a big school with good resources. One advantage is that you don’t declare majors until your second year or even later. Michigan’s PAT program is excellent, very technically focused (it’s a BS program) and difficult to get into – think getting in University of Michigan’s engineering school – but one that students can transfer into.
Many professional recording studios have interns. They’re often unpaid but it may be something you might want to pursue to get a feel for what the job(s) really entail.
Just to support screenname’s post: most music departments in colleges and universities will also have studios and courses to teach you to use those resources-not just music schools and conservatories. In fact, our small state college has a beautiful studio for studio production.
Once you get some experience through courses or internship, you will have a better idea of where you want to go with this. The issue right now is admission, because you don’t have experience or a portfolio- but as screenname says you may be able to transfer in at some point.
My own bias, which the original post seemed to share, is that undergrad is a time for a little more breadth unless you are 100% determined to do a certain specific thing, and since this idea is new for you, it doesn’t seem as if you have reached that certainty yet. You may run into all kinds of interesting things to major or have a career in.
You might look at Audio Engineering at U of Miami. They have Music Engineering Technology in the music school, but you must audition on an instrument for that. The Audio Engineering program is an option within tthe electrical engineering major in the school of engineering but works with the music school.
Since it doesn’t sound like you have a background to audition on an instrument at a music school, coming at it from the engineering angle might be a better fit for you.
Hey guys! Thank you so much for helping me out. Please excuse my ignorance, but many of you say many music departments will have classes in music technology, so does that mean I can just take the class even if I don’t apply to that school? Also, I don’t think the colleges I’m applying to have such a class except for UT. I could keep looking, though. I know UT offers a major in music technology, so there has to be classes leading up to that I could take. I also saw something at UCLA (one of my top choices) that there’s a music industry minor that touches on music production as well as some business side of things. The advantage of UT though is I’m applying to UGS so I wouldn’t have to declare a major or school until the end of sophomore year, and during that time I could explore music production to see if I like it. UT also has a good business school so if I do end up majoring in music technology I could minor in business, and I feel like that would be similar to doing the UCLA minor. I’m probably thinking way too ahead on this- I haven’t even been admitted yet. I just like to have a plan before blindly deciding on a college I want to go to. Thanks again for your input; it’s been very helpful
I wasn’t clear on this question of yours: “Please excuse my ignorance, but many of you say many music departments will have classes in music technology, so does that mean I can just take the class even if I don’t apply to that school?” What do you mean by this? Do you mean you would go to one school and take a class at another?
I don’t think you should worry too much about this right now. You can gain experience in studio production in many ways. Take a class in electronic/electroacoustic composition. Intern. Hang out in the studio. Offer to help with recordings. There will be classes that will give you experience, they just aren’t recognizable as audio engineering.
Since you have no experience, you really don’t know if you will like it. And you cannot get into a really good program yet.
There is no rush. It is smart to go into college with an open mind, try some things out, and decide in a couple of years. In the meantime find ways to explore studio skills, of which there will be many.
@compmom sorry, I mean let’s say I apply to the college of arts and sciences, but there’s a class that deals with music technology in the music school, would I be able to take said class while enrolled in the college of arts and sciences?
I will try to do research on the topic and kind of introduce myself to the basics just to get a sense if this is something I want to pursue. I agree though- I should go in with an open mind. I’ll definitely try to experiment with different things
