<p>With all due respect to the OP and brother, if the grades actually are a true reflection of academic capability/inclination to study, the brother may not be happy at any of the university based sound/music production programs of which I am aware, which typically require a minimum math ACT of 28 for eligibility (U Mich, for example). </p>
<p>Eg. next term my son is taking a required EECS (electrical engineering) “basic” programming course in C++ – It’s a required course for his degree, even though he is BFA and not the ENG version of production. He had straight As in advanced calc and yet he is still concerned about that course. (BTW, nothing “basic” about C++ programming for the uninitiated…)</p>
<p>So, as other posters have mentioned, said brother might want to look at OPEN ENROLLMENT schools such as Columbia of Chicago, or PRIVATE production schools, such as Full Sail, where the emphasis is the software manipulation as opposed to the deep science of sound. If he is a “hands-on” learner, that could give him a lot of access to enjoyable work and the capability to effectively record his own material.</p>
<p>With respect to guitar, if he’s focused on contemporary music, may of the programs (eg. USC) again require students to have the capacity to perform well academically. Some students suddenly flourish academically at college, so it really depends on the individual, his own goals and his own commitment level.</p>