<p>Not to highjack the thread either, but where do HS students develop an interest and portfolio in music technology? Our school does not offer music tech courses, but offers Music Theory I & II but daughter can’t take Theory I until next year-- is music technology introduced in a theory course? If not where would one go to learn more about music technology options if not in high school?</p>
<p>Look into Belmont too. Nice little school in Nashville, TN with lots of connections to the music industry.</p>
<p>Not to keep repeating the same point, but redeye, what are you thinking about when you say “music technology”? For instance, does your daughter write music? What kind? Has she done programming? Why is she interested in this and what are her goals? Then maybe someone can recommend a course of action :)</p>
<p>Check out the thread on electonic and electroacoustic music, which really deals with music technology as well.</p>
<p>Redeye41,
re: Where do HS students learn music tech? I would venture a guess that most HS students who have experience in music technology have primarily done it on their own. I am sure there are a few schools out there with music technology programs but I would guess that most do not. It might be covered to a degree in theory class but probably in a very cursory way. Students who work tech for theatre and music departments will gain some practical experiences that might be helpful. Also many schools have media departments that will probably cover audio as part of the media technology department. But when you look at the portfolio requirements for a program like Michigan’s PAT, you are looking at skills and experiences that go well beyond what you would expect a typical high school to cover. There are students who find their passion in recording, mixing, programming, and electronic music and they find ways to learn what they want to know. Researching on the Internet, scraping together equipment and software to learn and experiment on, volunteering to record friends, talking to sound guys at concerts, if you are lucky finding a mentor somewhere along the way. If you live near a university or community college they might have a music tech course, media tech course or programming course that could work. There is a MOOC course on Coursera starting in October called Introduction to Programming for Musicians and Digital Artists another that started in August called Survey of Music Technology and another in the catalog called Introduction to Digital Sound Design. </p>
<p>As far as I know, there is no traditional, credentialed path for HS students to gain music technology skills. There are ways to do it but they require the student to be pretty self-motivated and self-directed.</p>
<p>Compmom: It was a friend’s son who graduated form St Rose with a degree in Music Industry. My understanding of his senior project is only second hand as relayed by young man’s non-musical mom. However, I did check the St Rose web site and the following is from their Music Industry tab:
“The final exit requirement at the end of the senior year for students in the music industry program is a full-length album of material
they have composed, arranged, rehearsed, engineered, mixed and mastered-a comprehensive capstone project that reflects their achievement. They also function as artist managers and record producers for real clients for two
semesters as part of course requirements.”</p>
<p>Hope this helps. I agree that the terms: music industry, technology and business, are quite muddled in the academic world.</p>
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<p>Actually, some of the larger comprehensive schools do have music technology courses in my area. However, my son was at a G/T magnet program that was small and did not offer same.</p>
<p>In his case, like many, he had started out fooling around with garage band in middle school and free programs like audacity…then got an express version of logic and a multimix and started capturing and mixing tracks…then started asking for a never-ending wishlist of gear, microphones, controllers etc. as the years went on. So, pretty DIY in the beginning and much as musictechdad described…running sound at venues, recording friends, performing live in bands at clubs…plus his wind ensemble and jazz performance work on the other end of the spectrum. </p>
<p>To hone all that (in addition to actual composition) he was able to dual enroll to pursue computer music and recording classes at a nearby college that had same available. For the recording class, it was private one-on-one instruction with someone who had worked at best local sound studio…so it was pretty great instruction ;)</p>
<p>Hi</p>
<p>I came upon this thread as I’m in a similar situation myself. Although, unlike most applicants on this thread, I’m 25 years old. I’ve been doing music full-time for the past 6 years. I’ve played about 200 live shows and have been involved in producing(as a composer/arranger) 2 full length albums, along with a few independent singles. Although I have a lot of recording experience, my knowledge of mixing and mastering is extremely limited. I’m looking for a course that can help me learn these aspects and broaden my scope to include post production for visual media(film/TV) and broadcast as well. I’m primarily a self-taught guitar player(play a bit of bass and keys too). I’ve recently started learning about staff notations on my own but I’m far from being able to sight-read anything! Let me also state that I’m an international student.</p>
<p>I’m looking for a music technology program with the above requirements and have narrowed it down to LMU(recording arts), NYU(Steinhardt Music tech), USC(BS music industry), Umich(BS in sound engineering curriculum D), American University(BS music tech), Columbia College(Audio arts and acoustics) and University of Miami(Music Engineering). Can anyone give me any information about these colleges? Are there any more really good programs I’m missing out? If anyone has applied, what are the audition requirements? Is it really competitive?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>New phase, my son attended UMich’s PAT program, so let me know if you have any specific questions. He absolutely loved the program. He was in PAT B, with more focus on composing and multimedia, but his curriculum was very close to D.</p>
<p>It is a very competitive admit but your portfolio of experience should assist you. I assume you’ve read the requirements for PAT D…pay special attention to the multi-instrument capture and mix in stereo. In this case, you would be interviewed on your portfolio as opposed to auditioning live.</p>
<p>Since you’re a mature student, its difficult to tell how they will assess your academic readiness, but mcson has several friends from the program who are your age or older, so its a course that both attracts and appreciates experience :)</p>
<p>In terms of academic readiness, most of the PAT D applicants will have a very strong math background with advanced Calc. Umich has one of the strongest and most rigorous engineering schools in the US and world, and as such, since some of your courses will be in engineering (eg EECS) they will want to know you can handle the work. For ACTs, which won’t apply to you as an international presumably, they require a min. Score of 28, for example.</p>
<p>In the case of Eng, you would also find is useful to have a background to some degree in c+ programming specifically, or at least familiarity with programming languages. </p>
<p>A second area to consider is that you will absolutely have to take 4 semesters of what is notorious for being a very tough music theory requisite. My son had already completed one term of music theory at a university during high school in preparation, and still failed his first segment at Michigan, and had to retake it and do a lot of extra work to get through 
But you could overcome this by studying online in advance, so don’t let that discourage you. Once you get it, IME, you will truly get it, and then it will be easier :)</p>
<p>Hope that helps. Best wishes on your quest!</p>
<p>One thing that many people don’t know about Music Engineering at Miami is that it’s a far more technical degree than any other music tech program with the possible exception of PAT D at UMich. You take a few studio recording classes (3 to be exact) and two more related to DAW techniques and audio post production…but after that, it’s nothing but hardcore DSP, programming, and audio electronics. I love it, but I honestly don’t think it’s the best choice for a student solely interested in recording.</p>
<p>We just visited Bellarmine University which has a Music Technology major. The requirements to enter the program are not stringent and they are intentional about helping their students find their passion. There is an electronic music lab at the school and they work with a nearby recording studio. </p>
<p>[Music</a> Technology](<a href=“http://www.bellarmine.edu/cas/music/requirements/musictech.aspx]Music”>http://www.bellarmine.edu/cas/music/requirements/musictech.aspx)</p>
<p>Program Overview
Students study a core music curriculum that includes music technology, music theory, music history, world music and private lessons on a musical instrument. The Music Technology Program has seven goals for its degree program: </p>
<p>Students should be prepared for a career in music, graduate study or teacher certification in music.
Students should develop an understanding of music history and theory in western musical compositions from all eras.
Students should develop the ability to perform in one performance medium.
Students should develop skills in music composition in both the electronic and acoustic domains.
Students should develop skills in on-site and studio recording in a variety of genres, and styles with an emphasis on the home digital recording studio.
Students should develop skills in computer music including basic digital manipulation and editing techniques through synthesis, signal processing, software-based systems, and interactive computer music.
Students should develop an understanding of historical and theoretical aspects of electronic music: acoustics, perception, basic electronics, invention, trends, aesthetics and the history of electro-acoustic music.</p>
<p>Another thing I forgot to mention, NewPhase – if you’re applying to NYU’s music tech program, did you happen to look at the Tisch Clive Davis Recording Arts Program, also at NYU. It’s geared to a more contemporary set of production/performance skills that might well be a fit given your experience. It is portfolio based and competitive admit. Check it out ;)</p>
<p>You also didn’t mention Indiana University’s Jacobs’ School of Music Recording Arts program. It’s well regarded and they accept a slightly larger cohort than Umich – I think about 20 - 24 students if I recall (don’t quote me.) The emphasis is very much on recording and live sound reinforcement. Your background would make you a good fit, I suspect. It’s OOS tuition is substantially less (by about 10k) than university of Michigan, I believe.</p>
<p>I agree with an earlier poster; the programs range in terms of emphasis from audio engineering / technician emphasis to music production / arrangement. What are your interests?</p>
<p>@kmcmom13 Sorry I didn’t reply, apparently I wasn’t subscribed to this thread and many things came up which took me away from these forums for quite some time. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>I play percussion - many instruments. I am proficient with snare/bass drum techniques and drum set, but I specialize in marimba/xylophone and keyboard percussion. I’ve been playing for 8 years now, and before that I took classical piano for a year.</p></li>
<li><p>I possess some technical musical experience - I am proficient with Audacity and Linux MultiMedia Studio and I’ve used these to edit audio for various school projects.</p></li>
<li><p>I compose and arrange in my spare time - I write hip-hop/rap beats, and I can write various genres in sheet-music form. I have written scores for many popular music arrangements, primarily for marching band, and I have written an entire indoor percussion show from scratch. I don’t have any official formal instruction in this, but I received some input from my school’s director and even wrote a few arrangements for the school band (these were never played for other reasons). I have a SoundCloud for my better work ([Ranger</a> the Arranger’s sounds on SoundCloud - Hear the world?s sounds](<a href=“http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/rangerthearranger]Ranger”>Stream Ranger the Arranger music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud)), and I am familiar with both Sibelius 7 and MuseScore.</p></li>
<li><p>My GPA is a 4.0 unweighted, and I have a ~4.5 weighted. My SAT I score was a 2290. I am also interested in engineering, and I have taken Calc BC and been a member of the school’s robotics team, often working with programming. I have taken 2 science/math AP’s and I am currently enrolled in 2 more (I also have AP classes for other studies).</p></li>
<li><p>I see myself earning a living developing music and audio engineering software, and doing freelance composition and arrangement in my spare time.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I would have responded much earlier, but I did not realize this thread had taken off. If you have any advice, I would really appreciate it!</p>
<p>P.S. I have already applied to the Carnegie Mellon program, but as of now I’ve been staying generally closer to Computer Science/Engineering programs because I figure I can probably still look for openings in music-related computer programs later on.</p>
<p>Techlover, your experience and stats/curriculae make you a good candidate for University of Michigan’s SOM PAT Curriculm D, which is an engineering degree conferred by the music school. It is the school I’m most familiar with, so forgive any bias when I say that program sounds like a perfect fit given your interest in adio software ENG as well. The college of ENG, the percussion dept., and the School of music are all top drawer in their respective disciplines so I’d be a trifecta for you.</p>
<p>However, the portfolio requirements are very specific for the program generally and for Curriculum D in particular, which includes a stereo multi-instrument recording and technically speaking, the deadline was Dec. 1st.</p>
<p>You way wish to read up on that program and contact School of Music admission or maybe the PAT (performing arts technology) dept directly to see if you can apply late.</p>
<p>Here’s a link – best wishes – [UM</a> School of Music, Theatre & Dance - Department of Performing Arts Technology - Degree Programs](<a href=“http://music.umich.edu/departments/pat/bs_curr_d.htm]UM”>http://music.umich.edu/departments/pat/bs_curr_d.htm)</p>
<p>PS - there may be more actual signal processing and programming in the multimedia curriculum, which also includes more composition, and mor performance in curriculum A, so read those two. But based on what you’ve already applied to, I was assuming you wanted to use your ENG orientation :)</p>
<p>Here’s the portfolio req page, its kind of hard to find
<a href=“http://music.umich.edu/departments/pat/auditions_ug.htm[/url]”>http://music.umich.edu/departments/pat/auditions_ug.htm</a></p>
<p>@kmcmom13 Thanks for all of the information - I read this shortly after you posted, and just realized I never thanked you for it…it’s a lot of info, and I appreciate you taking the time to write all of it :)</p>
<p>My college search ended up taking a different turn - I was waitlisted to CMU for a different program (rejected from M&T), so instead I’m going to Cornell U for CS. Thanks for all of the info though, it was very helpful!</p>
guys. helllo. My name is Keyshav Mor. I am from India and currently pursuing my 4th year engineering in India in Electronics and Telecommunication. I am okayish at coding. Good at math and physics. Been playing guitar for 3 years and bass guitar for 2 years now. I am good with the bass. I am reasonably good with music theory. Started learning Keyboard,sound engineering, mixing and music programming recently. My course gets over next year June. and I am ready to take a 1-2 year gap for doing music. I am more intereted in Music Production, electronics music production, composing own music, orchestration, sound design etc and want to pursue a course which combines Music Production and Technology with more emphasis on the Msuic Production. MY GPA is around 3.5 and my GRE exam is going to be there on 1st of october. Please help. very confused