Music Audio Technology A.A.S.

The Music Audio Technology A.A.S. curriculum program provides rigorous training in basic musicianship, performance, contemporary recording and reinforcement technologies, and management and legal responsibilities.

Students in the program study and work in the state-of-the-art Vianna-Brignola Recording Studio, post-production facilities, and a dedicated Pro Tools computer lab. They also learn live sound reinforcement, remote recording techniques, and about legal and management concepts unique to the music industry. Qualified students may participate in an internship in a professional studio or sound company.

A successful audition is required for admission to this program. For further information, please view Audition Requirements.

Mission

The Music Audio Technology A.A.S degree program provides rigorous training in basic musicianship, contemporary recording and reinforcement technologies, and management and legal responsibilities.

The program prepares graduates to:

Goal I: Achieve musicianship with a concentration in voice, piano, organ, guitar or an orchestral instrument.

• Attain musicianship competencies through two semesters of private study
• Display attainment of School of Music repertory and recital standards through performances in classes and recitals
• Complete a performance examination at the end of two semesters of private study

Goal II: Demonstrate ensemble musicianship.

• Perform in a major ensemble for a minimum of four semesters
• Acquire ensemble performance skills in rhythm, intonation, balance, and timbre

Goal III: Acquire technical competency in music theoretical and analytical skills.

• Identify and analyze the technical components of musical compositions
• Acquire keyboard skills for accompaniment, and analysis

• Aurally identify melodic and harmonic components in music and demonstrate the ability to sing numerous varied styles of music from notation

Goal IV: Achieve aesthetic awareness for a broad range of musical literature and style periods from antiquity to the present.

• Examine, identify and describe western art music from all style periods
• Examine, identify and describe jazz or rock music styles and their development

Goal V: Demonstrate skills and knowledge of the use of contemporary music technologies for audio recording and reinforcement.

• Demonstrate skills in music recording techniques, software, audio path design, and equipment selection
• Formulate, design and complete audio recording projects
• Demonstrate skills in live sound reinforcement, signal path, and equipment selection

Goal VI: Develop theoretical, analytical, and management skills relevant to the music business field.

• Demonstrate knowledge of music business practices including contracts, mechanical and other reproduction rights and copyrights
• Demonstrate awareness of emerging trends and technologies and their impact on the music industry
• Demonstrate an awareness of the history and development of the music industry
• Complete an internship experience in audio recording, reinforcement, or other area of music business

Goal VII: Demonstrate a core of knowledge from a minimum of seven liberal arts courses from the approved SUNY Schenectady SUNY General Education course list to facilitate transfer and advanced study within a discipline.

• Analyze, identify and describe different cultural perspectives in the humanities, social sciences, and the arts through study of their impact and influence on music styles development
• Analyze, identify and describe different theoretical perspectives in the humanities, social sciences, and arts and their impact on the development of western music
• Demonstrate effective communication skills in music rehearsal and teaching environments
• Demonstrate metaliteracy by locating, evaluating and utilizing music related information from a variety of sources, including online and other electronic media