Colleges for Production/Music?

Gnome · #1 09-18-2006, 05:34 PM

I'm 17, but I'm from Mexico, and I better start considering my options if i want to study abroad, which I do.

Basically, I don't want to starve, but I don't want to stay away from the whole music scene. I don't think i could have a job not related to music. So I'm considering a career in Music Production and Engineering, but I'm especially interested in schools such as Berklee which offer these options but also music lessons within those careers. I've been told Musician's Institute isn't a very good school, but I thought you guys might be able to help?

Other than Berklee and the MI, I don't know much about it. Any kind of advise is appreciated.

Thanks.

billjr · #2 09-19-2006, 01:19 PM

Appalachian State University in Boone, NC has several music undergraduate degrees, including Music Ed, Music Performance, and a B.S. in Music Industry Studies with specialty areas of products, recording and production, or business.

**Josh Ryan** · #3 09-19-2006, 01:21 PM

I think I remember Northeastern (also Boston) having a studio production major? Does Emerson?

Don't_Fret · #4 09-19-2006, 01:24 PM

Come to Berklee! It's too much fun here.

freeslicefattyj · #5 09-19-2006, 02:05 PM

I'm currently attending Columbia College in Chicago as a sound student. I originally came wanting to do Music Recording, but the program is huge and I've already learned a lot about live sound reinorcement, contracting and acoustics. It's a great school in a great city. There's also plenty of performance opportunities. colum.edu is the link if you'd like to check it out. I still think of Berklee as the quintessential music college, however.

lemur821 · #6 09-19-2006, 02:30 PM

I'm currently at Webster University in St. Louis studying Audio Production (which encompasses recording, synthesis, and live sound). It's great. We also have a music program, but I have no personal experience with it. I believe we do Jazz and Classical music.

Snarf · #7 09-19-2006, 05:50 PM

Berklee's great, but it's very hard to get into the MPE major (on my second application now). Also, as an aside, I'm starting to get a little disillusioned by the school because of all the freakin' classic rock, metal, and indie players here. I may actually wind up transferring to the New School of Jazz, but I don't know yet.

Gah, I just wish Berklee would go back to straight jazz and kick all these other punks out.

Gnome · #8 09-19-2006, 06:52 PM

What problems have you had trying to get into Berklee?

SethCarter · #9 09-19-2006, 08:33 PM

I tried to get into the University of North Texas jazz program but didn't cut it (sight-reading kicked my butt). They also don't allow players to study electric bass exclusively. Sorry to hi-jack the thread but how hard is it to get into Berklee. I've been working on my sight-reading a lot but I don't want to go the traditional upright bass route.

Don't_Fret · #10 09-19-2006, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarf

Berklee's great, but it's very hard to get into the MPE major (on my second application now). Also, as an aside, I'm starting to get a little disillusioned by the school because of all the freakin' classic rock, metal, and indie players here. I may actually wind up transferring to the New School of Jazz, but I don't know yet.

Gah, I just wish Berklee would go back to straight jazz and kick all these other punks out.

Variety is the spice of life, man.

Snarf · #11 09-19-2006, 10:55 PM

To the Berklee acceptance questions, I was talking about applying to the Music Production and Engineering major, not to the college itself. To be accepted to the MPE major you should have a 3.8 GPA at least.

It was maaaad easy to get accepted to Berklee when I did. But now they're starting to require auditions, which means it's going to get really, really hard.

**Freddels** · #12 09-20-2006, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarf

Gah, I just wish Berklee would go back to straight jazz and kick all these other punks out.

And who would pay for all that great recording gear that they have?

Metallkasten · #13 09-20-2006, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billjr

Appalachian State University in Boone, NC has several music undergraduate degrees, including Music Ed, Music Performance, and a B.S. in Music Industry Studies with specialty areas of products, recording and production, or business.

I didn't know Ap had such a music department.

I've already made up my mind about college and my career (Clinary Managment, then Business) but I kinda wish I had considered something like this when I was in highschool

TL5 · #14 09-20-2006, 09:55 AM

Belmont University in Nashville, home of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment ans Music Business and "Nashville's Best" recording studio; Ocean Way Studio. linkage to story on Belmont website

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) offers a program in the Recording Industry as well: MTSU

winston · #15 09-20-2006, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeslicefattyj

I'm currently attending Columbia College in Chicago as a sound student. I originally came wanting to do Music Recording, but the program is huge and I've already learned a lot about live sound reinorcement, contracting and acoustics. It's a great school in a great city. There's also plenty of performance opportunities. colum.edu is the link if you'd like to check it out. I still think of Berklee as the quintessential music college, however.

DePaul University in Chicago (my alma mater) also has a good Music dept. with a sound/recording tech major and very strong liberal arts/professional departments. I also heard good things about Columbia while I was there.

I've also heard positive things about the recording program at Evergreen State College in Washington state.

If you just want the tech stuff with minimal distraction (no liberal arts requirements if you only want a certificate) consider Full Sail or Ex'pressions. I know some people who went to Ex'pressions and loved it.

Many American community colleges have recording/media programs that will let you get hands-on experience without spending a fortune.

If you are not aware of Tape Op magazine/site you MUST check it out--it's all about making creative recordings with whatever gear you have on hand.

The advent of home/project-studio computer recording has significantly impacted the viability of large traditional studios. Most people I know who make a living recording have their own equipment/spaces, although I do know a few folks working in "real" studios. If you're looking for a job at someone else's studio it's not uncommon to work as an unpaid intern/gofer (even with a recording degree!) for an extended period of time which means answering phones, cleaning toilets, getting burritos, etc.

That said, there are a lot of tech/production jobs available outside of studios. Any hands-on electronics/computer troubleshooting skills you pick up along the way will increase your chances of getting an interesting job. Also be aware that success requires good people skills and professional behavior/habits--no one wants to work with a smelly, opiniated jerk. Good luck!

Gnome · #16 09-20-2006, 05:30 PM

Thanks for the input so far, I'm really increasing my options here.

winston, what do you mean by the "liberal arts requirements"?

Also, how hard do you guys think it is to make a living with this kind of career?

Snarf · #17 09-20-2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gnome

Also, how hard do you guys think it is to make a living with this kind of career?

Incredibly. Like, nearly impossible.

winston · #18 09-20-2006, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gnome

winston, what do you mean by the "liberal arts requirements"?

Also, how hard do you guys think it is to make a living with this kind of career?

1) By "liberal arts requirements" I mean that a 4-year school will require you to take classes (history, English, math, science, languages, philosophy, religion, basketweaving, Sex Ed

etc.) not directly related to your major with the hopes that you will better be able to function as a member of society.

A technical recording school program will probably have few (if any) extras, though I imagine there will be enuff physics/math that you will gain a basic practical understanding of acoustics/electronics. More streamlined and to the point. No problem if that's what you want to do. Be aware that not all such programs may be fully accredited, which could be a problem if you ever want to go back to school for an advanced degree.

2) It seems difficult, but musicians and engineers I know who are fortunate to make a successful living doing what they love often say they can't imagine anything they'd rather do. Also there are interesting, good paying audio jobs in the film, animation, event production, broadcast, and video game industries for motivated, well-trained people.

freeslicefattyj · #19 09-21-2006, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gnome

Thanks for the input so far, I'm really increasing my options here.

Also, how hard do you guys think it is to make a living with this kind of career?

From everyone I've talked to, it sounds like it's hard but not impossible to do. Many people who don't make it spend their time waiting for something good to happen, whereas you should always be out meeting people and working on whatever you hope to get into. You will have to take chances, but if you're willing to do so to get yourself out there as much as possible I think you have a good chance at succeeding.