Music Technology/Audio Recording technology degree

College Majors Music Major
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<p>My son is interested in majoring in music technology. I am having a lot of trouble figuring out just how to go about applying to such a program. The schools that he is interested in are as follows:
NYU
U of MIchigan
Case Western
Ithaca
U of Indiana
Northeastern
SUNY Fredonia</p>

<p>I keep reading that the programs are very competitive, and that many students enter the programs as sophomores. If so, then what major do they enter the college in? I am very confused and would appreciate any information, advice, feedback.</p>

<p>My son is a strong student with good standardized test scores. Thanks anyone!!</p>

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<p>teachermom- Welcome. I'm by no means well versed in music production/technology schools and choices, but a couple of points you might need to look at and clarify:</p>

<p>-are they BA, BS or BM programs? A BM (Bachelors of Music) is akin to a BS insofar it is a more specialized degree than a BA, and the requirements generally have less liberal arts or non core course requirements. A BM may require an audition on an instrument or voice. The admission requirements should be on each schools website. If in doubt, ask the admissions office.</p>

<p>-In terms of what they enter (apply as) you would have to research each school specifically. In some cases, while they may not formally declare a major until sophomore year, they may well apply as the music tech major. Again, it's probably school specific.</p>

<p>-UIndiana & U Michigan are classified as conservatories within a university; admission in this case normally requires admission to both the university academically as well as the conservatory. You'll need to clarify if that major falls under a conservatory or university department.</p>

<p>My son is a recent graduate of Hartt with a BM in viola performance. Some of his friends were music tech majors. FYI, here's a link to Hartt's program description for reference only: <a href="http://harttweb.hartford.edu/adm-programs-music.asp?id=19%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://harttweb.hartford.edu/adm-programs-music.asp?id=19&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I looked quickly at three of your school choices... Ithaca is a BM, Indiana is a BS, and Michigan offers a BA, BS or BM depending upon the course concentration. </p>

<p>Perhaps some more detail about son's music talents, career goals, academics, might help some posters more knowledgeable with music tech than I in assisting you.</p>

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<p>Check the aes.org for a listing of programs: <a href="http://www.aes.org/education/geodir.cfm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.aes.org/education/geodir.cfm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>There are dozens of 2 year, 4 year undergrad and graduate programs. The training and job opportunities cover a wide spectrum from recording/editing through acoustical engineering and electronics. Most of the programs are geared towards recording/editing. Do your research carefully. Many of the available jobs are low level and dead end. Broadcast "sound engineer" or recording jobs do not usually require a 4 year degree. Many have entered the field with on the job training or from 2 year tech training programs. Some kids dream of opening their own sound recording studio. This type of venture is usually marginal with poor salaries for employees and high risk for the owners. You might want to check out some unique fields such as architectural acoustics. Noise abatement is becoming a big issue in our crowded world.</p>

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<p>Thank you for the replies. I did look at the Hartt school of music and am placing it on our summer tour list!! A little about my son. He has played the saxophone for 8 years, currently playing the baritone saxophone in 5 school bands. He studies privately as well with a music teacher from Vassar. His latest NYSMMA score (for those from NY) was a 95, and he lost 3 points for sight reading mistakes. He is a decent student, many honors and AP classes. Current gpa 3.55, current SAT's 2100+. I have learned an awful lot from reading responses on CC so any additional info./comments would be most welcome!!</p>

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<p>Check out Capital University Music Technology Web site: [Music</a> Technology Major](<a href=“http://www.capital.edu/music-tech]Music”>http://www.capital.edu/music-tech)</p>

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<p>Besides the Case Western Reserve on your list , the Cleveland Institute Of Music has a recording degree that has the academics at Case. My kid just auditioned at CIM for a BM and I looked over the recording degree ( I work as an audio engineer ) and the courses look pretty rigorous. I always recommend some place that does multi media audio as well because straight ahead music recording gigs are virtually impossible to get these days. Twenty musicians on stage… ONE sound engineer out front.</p>

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<p>Just a slight clarification about how this works at UMich, where my son is in music tech.
If you apply only to the PAT (performing arts tech) program at the School of Music (as either a BM, BFA or BS, depending on whether you want a performance, multimedia, or engineering emphasis) you are admitted to the SOM and will take some electives/classes in other UMich colleges, such as LSA (literature science arts) or COE (college of engineering.)</p>

<p>However, that does not mean you’re “approved” to pursue a degree in LSA or COE, per se. </p>

<p>So, if a student really wanted to attend UMich PAT no matter what, and didn’t get in as a freshman (which happens a lot at UMich), this would be the way to do it:</p>

<p>a) apply as a DUAL DEGREE applicant, signifying application to LSA or COE AND SOM
b) you will be accepted or rejected to each – eg. can get into one, not the other or can get into both or neither
c) If rejected from PAT, pursue freshmen year in LSA (for example) but seek permission to take some of the beginner PAT classes that aren’t as restricted as upper sequence. Use same to further develop portfolio. Get electives/distribution credits out of way.
d) Re-audition following year for PAT. If you get in, and selected your freshman courses wisely, it would be possible to still graduate in 4 years with careful scheduling.</p>

<p>Hope that helps. My son has referred to a few of his classmates who’ve taken this approach successfully. One transferred in from Oberlin as well. Another came to PAT as a mature student after a different degree and working in the industry. The avenues of entry are varied.</p>

<p>Your son’s SAT stats look good; GPA a tich low for UMich these days (average is about 3.8) but close enough to let portfolio outweigh – is that weighted or unweighted? The rigor and rep of the school make a difference too, so it’s more qualitative.</p>

<p>You’ll also want your son to take a close look at these portfolio specifications:
[UM</a> School of Music, Theatre & Dance - Department of Performing Arts Technology - Auditions & Interviews](<a href=“http://www.music.umich.edu/departments/pat/auditions_ug.htm]UM”>http://www.music.umich.edu/departments/pat/auditions_ug.htm)</p>

<p>Note that applicants to the engineering curriculum must submit STEREO recordings performed by 3 or more musicians – this “bar” was raised a bit a few years ago :wink: I’d hazard a guess that if done well, richly multi-tracked and captured productions fare well. </p>

<p>Best wishes in your search. Let me know if you have any specific questions about the program. Cheers!</p>

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<p>^Also note: Re Indianna’s Recording Arts program…this one is a BS degree and cognate majors are encouraged. So many RA students combine with multimedia (they call it telecommunications – outdated name but same idea) etc. Not as much emphasis on composition.</p>

<p>You also mentioned NYU – I’m assuming you’re referring to Tisch’s Clive Davis? Or were you referring to Steinhardt’s music tech degree?</p>

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<p>One more note on “how” to manage application to a set of schools like this. </p>

<p>• Look at the most in-depth spec/requirements (eg. UMich is pretty specific.)</p>

<p>• Select existing or create new pieces to fulfill all portfolio requirements. My son started this process during his junior year. It actually took him about 6 months to “produce” his portfolio, but it was complex and involved film/video; artwork/photography; coding samples plus compositions, recordings, samplings, etc. (He was applying to some other programs with film/visual emphasis as well.)</p>

<p>• If actual capture/mixing experience is weak, see if your local college has summer course/equipment/studio your student can use to fine tune portfolio pieces.</p>

<p>• One way to further get a feel for this avenue is to apply/attend summer programs, eg. UMich MPulse for PAT; Oberlin’s TIMARA program, etc.</p>

<p>• General tip: the field of sound/music engineering is obviously undergoing great shifts, as Edad intimated. The absolute best thing your son can do if he’s considering this area of study is to also pursue or develop his capacity to program. For example, in the video game industry, a composer with tech skills who can also program fluently is much more marketable than a composer with tech skills. In the field of interactive sound, noise abatement and product engineering, again a solid background in programming (eg. C+) again increases desirability.</p>

<p>Hope that helps!</p>