Music Technology Schools

<p>I'm looking for schools which offer Music Technology or similar degrees. So far, I've only found Carnegie Mellon (Music and Technology degree), Stanford (Music Technology degree), and USC (Music Industry degree, not really what I'm looking for). Anyone know of any other good schools for this program?</p>

<p>Cal Arts offers a BFA [Music</a> Technology | The Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts](<a href=“http://music.calarts.edu/programs/music-technology]Music”>http://music.calarts.edu/programs/music-technology)</p>

<p>It depends on what you mean by Music Technology. You need to really look at the music programs to see what the courses cover. Are you taking about something really computer-y? Or are you talking about studio production? </p>

<p>I think Northeastern has a degree program that involves music and computers. I also recall looking at one of the CUNY schools when my son was looking at programs that had a program involving music and computers.</p>

<p>If you are looking for a studio production program, there are lots of school that you can look at.</p>

<p>Check out CCM</p>

<p>Techlover, there are actually a plethora of programs using different names and with decidedly different nuances. Eg. University of Michigan PAT degree; Indiana Jacobs Recording Arts program, NYU’s Clive Davis Department of Recording Arts, Miami Frost Music Engineering program…the list goes on but those are some of the top programs my son had been interested in when he was looking.</p>

<p>But first please answer these questions, then we can give you good guidance, as it is really tricky to define good fits:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>What instrument do you play and for how long and how well? Formal private lessons, school ensembles/classes or performing arts HS? Classical, jazz, regional accomplishments, in a band, indie style music, etc. In other words, give us a hint about your musical background and accomplishments.</p></li>
<li><p>Do you currently possess technical music experience. Do you use sequencing programs, have you worked in sound reinforcement, do you presently capture and mix/master music at all? Would you have enough material for a portfolio?</p></li>
<li><p>Do you compose music at all, and if so, what is your predominant style? Eg. indie electronica, classical, indie pop, jazz…Can you formally “write” a score and have you had any tutelage in this? Or are you a more casual songwriter – pop style? Or none of the above and no interest in same?</p></li>
<li><p>What is your approximate GPA and SAT/ACT score? Does engineering interest you and are you excellent at calc or programming? Have you had AP or dual enrolled college level courses in math and science?</p></li>
<li><p>What do you see yourself doing to earn a living one day? What brings you a lot of joy to do?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Let us know and we’ll try to help you with a list!</p>

<p>Our son has found a large number of programs, but we’ve discovered they are very different in their emphases – from majors which sound totally engineering-oriented to others which seem focused mostly on electronic music-making. It can be hard to get a good handle on them.
Not to hijack techlover10’s thread, but I’d welcome some input too! Son plays mostly jazz on the alto sax (also marching band, wind ensemble, etc.); has also studied piano and guitar. Works with Logic to create electronic music, also composes on the piano (and creates scores using Finale and Sibelius). Is assembling a portfolio of both acoustic and electronic music. Good theory foundation. Would like a career making his own music and helping other composers/musicians create theirs, so prefers a more music-oriented program to an engineering one. Overall an excellent musician, but not the world’s best student – ACT 23 composite, and a B/B+ average. Where would you send him, experts?</p>

<p>mim, have you looked at Hartt?</p>

<p>Indeed we have. Son was unimpressed with the facilities! Also the music admissions guy was VERY discouraging.</p>

<p>Okaaaay, then. ;)</p>

<p>When my son was looking, he found that programs either tended toward the “music” or the “engineering” end of the scale. I’ve posted <a href=“AES Education Directory by Geographic Area”>AES Education Directory by Geographic Area: Eastern Region, USA/Canada; before but maybe it will help some folks begin their search this year.</p>

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

<p>Capital University has the option of audition or no audition program</p>

<p>Mim, the discouragement from the admin might have been based on the ACT and could conceivably be overcome via portfolio, but it does make for longer odds.
Has he retried the ACT with a bit of coaching? Does he have issues around test-taking that make it less than accurate in showing his innate capacity. The ACT score and GPA seem a little mismatched to me. </p>

<p>It sounds like a very long shot due to academic competitiveness, but his background and interests seem almost identical to my son’s, and he was delighted with the Umich PAT B program (BFA). You never know with talent-based admissions, so it might be a shot worth taking. Check it out at [UM</a> School of Music, Theatre & Dance - Department of Performing Arts Technology - Degree Programs](<a href=“http://music.umich.edu/departments/pat/programs.htm]UM”>http://music.umich.edu/departments/pat/programs.htm)</p>

<p>If he doesn’t mind a recording/sequencing emphasis with less composition he might be a good fit for Indiana Jacobs Recording Arts degree. I believe academically the ACT would be less of a barrier, and his GPA would be in overall range for the school in general. It also has similar, but more fluid, portfolio requirements. It is a very competitive admit, but my sense is that its a little more portfolio-based than academic - likely only because at Umich, which has become so high-stat, the adcoms have to concern themselves with whether or not a student is up for the academic rigor of the general university courses. Indiana is slightly less concerned with that aspect, I suspect.</p>

<p>I also know that quite a few local cc students in my neck of the woods transfer to Ball State’s music tech program. I don’t know much about it but it might be worth a peek.
I wonder if Middle Tenessee wouldn’t be another fit. It’s program is well-regarded.
Hope that helps.</p>

<p>Peabody Conservatory has a BM in Recording Arts and Sciences:</p>

<p>[Recording</a> Arts and Sciences | Peabody Conservatory](<a href=“http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/recordingarts/]Recording”>http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/conservatory/recordingarts/)</p>

<p>I know nothing about the recording arts; I’m just aware of this program.</p>

<p>My son is strongly considering Middle Tennessee State (MTSU) for the recording industry major which is in the school of Mass Communications. They also have a Music Business degree in the Music school. Each of those programs have several options for a concentration. I was skeptical before our visit, but was very impressed with the university, the academic support available and the recording industry facilities and faculty. There is auto admit to the uni based on GPA/ACT score and then required coursework and GPA to enter the major at the end of sophomore year. Some merit money is available for academics and music scholarships are available for non-majors. </p>

<p>[How</a> to Apply | Middle Tennessee State University](<a href=“http://mtsu.edu/how-to-apply/index.php]How”>How to Apply | Middle Tennessee State University)</p>

<p>Have a look at the College of St Rose. They have beautiful brand new facilities. they have a music business major, and I think they have production as well.</p>

<p>This was really helpful, I am looking into miami’s program. I have heard a lot of positive things about it.</p>

<p>We looked at MTSU – fine program, among the very best, but the ‘candidacy’ issue is a problem – you can spend a year in core courses there before you’re admitted. St. Rose is on his list, as well as a number of others often mentioned here.</p>

<p>As for our kids’ scores and grades! No, he doesn’t test well – just doesn’t get what they’re after. The scores I posted were the result of 6 months of expensive coaching, so I don’t know that we could expect more improvement. School comes a little easier than standardized testing. I do think he will have a strong portfolio. The audition is more of a question mark – while a decent musician on several instruments, he hasn’t performed under pressure much, so I’m not sure how he will fare.</p>

<p>The Hartt guy didn’t even ask about scores/grades – he was just discouraging on principle!</p>

<p>If he doesn’t have audition experience, try to schedule his first audition at the school he is least interested in.</p>

<p>Check out the recent thread entitled “electronic and electroacoustic music” for a discussion of terms.</p>

<p>Can you describe in more detail what you are looking for and what you do? There are countless programs but it depends on what you mean by “music technology.”</p>

<p>Are you interested in, say, electroacoustic composing, engineering/computer science, or a career in the commercial rock or pop industry? Is your interest career-oriented, and which career? Or is your interest academic and research-oriented?</p>

<p>A friend’s son graduated this year from St. Rose with a music industry degree. He loved the program. For his senior project, he composed a piece then produced it and had it played at the Honors Convocation. In addition, he is employed with a music company where he interned as an undergrad. St Rose isn’t competitive for music admissions but they do have a good music faculty. However your son will still have to audition and with any audition program, you never know what the outcome will be…<br>
SUNY Oneonta also has a music industry degree. You will audition for placement after you arrive on campus. However, your son’s grades and test scores will make Oneonta a reach school.</p>

<p>Momofbassist, as I continue to try to understand the nuances of music technology and electronic music etc., can you explain what you mean by “composed” and “produced” in the context of your son’s “music industry” program? Did he write a score and then have it played by musicians? Did he generate a piece electronically and then edit and manipulate it in a lab?</p>

<p>I have a kid who composes with paper and pencil, but has also done some electroacoustic work within an academic setting. It is very useful for me and for others to get details about the different types of programs and projects that fall under the “music technology” umbrella.</p>