Audio Production Concentration (BFA)

Curriculum

The course requirements for the Audio Production Concentration in the BFA in Jazz and Contemporary Music program are grouped into the following categories: 

• Fundamentals Improvisation: In this sequence, you receive ear training and study improvisation techniques in a variety of styles. You also receive ear training tailored to audio engineers.

• Fundamentals Composition: In this sequence, you study theory and harmony and receive ear training in preparation for writing your own compositions. This sequence also contains content on acoustics and sound design geared to audio engineers.

• Improv Ensembles: These ensembles allow you to choose the type of music you want to make, the musicians you want to play with, and the directors you want as your mentors. The ensembles are reconstituted each semester. Audio Production students will serve as producers and technical directors for at least one ensemble each semester, working with the faculty director on audio production for each ensemble’s performances and recordings.

• Lessons: Our artist-as-mentor pedagogy enables you to take private lessons from leading musical artists and producers across the NYC metro area. You can ask to study with anyone in the city and choose a different mentor each semester.

• Music Tech Seminar: In this seminar, you learn how to create digital audio workstations and use industry-leading notation software to discover the ways technology is used in composition, recording, and content creation.

• Entrepreneurship: Learn about the music business from artists, producers, and technicians active in recording and production studios in New York City. In these courses, you’ll explore topics ranging from contracts to socially conscious business platforms, with a focus on ways to make a living in today’s music industry.

• Electives: Join any of our 50 elective ensembles, and choose from a variety of audio production, composition, songwriting, arranging, and technology electives.

• Performing Arts Core: All undergraduate performing arts students enroll in the Performing Arts Core program, a series of required and elective interdisciplinary courses. These courses explore themes including Improvisation and Collaboration, The Whole Human Artist, Socially Engaged Artistry, and Technology and Experimentation.

A full description of degree requirements and procedures can be found in the Academic Catalog (PDF).