About the Schwob School's Technology Program
Please note the Audio Technology Program at the Schwob School of Music is intended for music majors and minors only. Students must be accepted, by audition, to the Music School in order to participate in the Audio Technology Program. We are not a music industry program.
The Audio Technology Area at the Schwob School of Music operates under three guiding principles:
Education
As technology becomes increasingly pervasive in everyday life, students studying in any academic discipline can benefit from access to and instruction in technology. In music, these elements benefit students by conveying an understanding of both new methods for the communication of their art (i.e. Internet distribution, recordings, etc.) as well as the creative possibilities for using technology for artistic purposes, or as an expressive medium (in composition, music production, etc). We believe that experience and instruction using best-in-class technologies, as well as firm knowledge of the technical concepts underlying those technologies, will allow our area to graduate educated, capable, savvy musicians whose careers can be enriched through their understanding of technology.
Community Service and Outreach
The Schwob School of Music is an educational community within the larger framework of the College of the Arts, Columbus State University and the city of Columbus. We believe that a central part of our mission is to provide top-quality technology services to those communities. In particular, through the Recording Services program, our area serves the immediate community of the Schwob School of Music. We also lend our expertise for live sound reinforcement within the Schwob School of Music, as well as assisting with other technical demands as they arise.
An extension of this goal is to maintain relationships with local businesses and organizations where our students can build professional skills. These relationships will allow students to work in a real-life environment while developing their skills. In this way, this second component ultimately connects to the first component of educating students.
Creative Expression and Artistry
The third guiding principle of the Audio Technology Area is to engage in quality production of works of art. Each of the other two core principles listed here feed into this goal. By providing access to top quality technology resources, diverse coursework, the opportunity for private study and professional development, and academic pathways that introduce artistic concepts, our students have the opportunity to succeed in the creation of expressive works of art.
We believe that musical expression is not limited to traditional musical performance, and can be developed and enhanced in students seeking to work with technology in their careers. This core principle applies in nearly every area of Audio Technology, including classical recording, commercial music production, sound design, electroacoustic music, multimedia authoring, etc. Attention to the artistic elements present in each of these areas of work during a student's training will yield capable, creative artists whose technological skills are equally developed.
Educational Foundations
The Audo Technology Area, in seeking to maintain strong adherence to the three core principles outlined above, focuses on three central educational areas:
Recording
The recording industry is one of the largest industries in the global economy. Students wishing to work in any genre or area of musical arts are naturally served by a fundamental understanding of recording. The Audio Technology Area offers multiple courses in this field, including an introductory course, and several advanced courses for students wishing to broaden their skills. In addition, students may use the Schwob School's recording facilities for independent studies, personal artistic projects, and research in recording techniques.
Composition
Musical expression in the realm of technology is, ultimately, an act of composition. Whether the task at hand is a recording session, an abstract piece of electronic music, an online audio project, or the mastering of a classical recording, the act of crafting a communicative work of art underlies each of these activities. To this end, all students in the Audio Technology Area should study composition as outlined in the degree program.
Technological Skill
We believe that in order to achieve high levels of artistic expression and be prepared for a potential career in music technology, students must possess a high level of technical competence. Areas of interest include computer programming, signal processing, electrical engineering, etc. These cognate fields contribute much to the study of music technology. Students in the Audio Technology program at the Schwob School of Music can gain experience in these areas through external coursework, as well as in classes focusing on audio technology. Employment in the CSU Recording Studio also allows students to gain experience in these areas through troubleshooting and repairs of the in-house equipment.
Admissions Standards
- Prospective students should be prepared for college-level music study, as determined by the faculty member with whom they will study upon enrolling at the Schwob School, in coordination with the Audio Technology Area Coordinator.
- Prospective students should possess some background in technology prior to entering the Audio Technology Program. “Hobbyist-level” experience is sufficient to meet this requirement, as many high schools do not yet have advanced music technology facilities or teachers. Students with no background in technology can opt to add the program later following further development of their skills through coursework or personal exploration.
- Prospective students should have a record of academic success in secondary school, as demonstrated by SAT or ACT scores, recommendation letters from teachers, etc., and according to the standards set forth by the Columbus State University Admissions Office.
- Prospective students must demonstrate their desire to study audio technology through a brief interview with the Audio Technology Area Coordinator, to be scheduled prior to enrollment in the audio technology program.
