Music Technology is a rapidly expanding area of study offering a multitude of career options for graduates interested in working in the music and media industry. The range of degree courses available cover all aspects of the subject, but each will have a specialist approach. The prospective student would be advised to consider each course carefully before making a decision.
Music Technology now forms an integral part of most traditional Music degree courses, providing an introduction to the subject within the framework of an academic course covering aspects of music, history, performance and composition.
However, an increasing number of specialist Music Technology courses are available. There are, broadly speaking speaking two categories of course and the prospective student should be aware of the differences at nearly stage as the entry requirements may not be the same. The first type of course approaches the subject from theoretical point of view is vocational in origin, aiming to equip to graduates for a career in the recording and broadcast industries at the operational level. Integral to some courses will be an examination of the electronics side of the subject together with the study of acoustic theory. Entry requirements may include A-level Physics and/or Mathematics, in addition to A-level Music and may lead to the award of a BSc.
A second type of course examines the more creative aspects of the subject with composition given a prominent place. Recently established courses, developing out of the BTec Performing Arts, Popular Music and Music Technology courses are more concerned with the creative application of the technology within a commercial environment. Song writing and live recording skills are explored practically alongside an examination of the business aspects of the subject. Entry requirements here may be more flexible, perhaps not requiring students to have taken the traditional A-level Music route.
Some of the courses biased towards the recording aspect of the subject are developed and taught in partnership with recording industry specialists, often within a commercial recording studio environment. Other courses are moving towards the integration of music and video technologies, in accordance with developments in the industry, giving students the opportunity to explore the production of music and sound for film and television soundtracks as well as developing skills in aspects of camera operation, direction and production.
Choosing to study a Music Technology at University, whether as part of a Music degree or as specialist course, can open up an exciting career in the music and broadcast industries and could lead to your name being listed on the production credits of that of highly successful T.V. series or hit album.
