Music Recording Technology
The Degree
Associate in Science (A.S.)
The Outlook
The music recording industry is fast-paced and competitive. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that employment opportunities in the field will grow through the year 2008. Those with skills in technology and an overall music background will be preferred for positions. The A.S. Music Recording Technology degree program at Finger Lakes Community College can give you the edge for success by providing a musical background as well as experience using new, state-of-the-art digital recording technology.
The Program
The Associate in Science in Music Recording Technology degree program is designed to provide you the opportunity to learn your craft, both as a musician and a recording technician. You will receive the extensive hands-on training that is needed to achieve a thorough understanding of modern recording. The coursework is appropriate if you are interested in preparing to transfer to a baccalaureate degree program or beginning a career in music recording immediately after graduation. Our faculty bring real-life experience as musicians and recording technicians and play an important part in your success.
Facilities: The program is housed in four John Storyk designed state-of-the-art facilities, all with Focusrite Control 24 consoles and ProTools. An extensive array of outboard gear includes preamps and compressors by Avalon, Neve, Universal Audio, and Groove Tubes as well as a sizable high-end microphone collection with mics by Neumann, BLUE, Royer, AKG, Sennheiser, and Shure.
Honors Courses: The College offers honors courses that provide enhanced educational experiences for students who have demonstrated outstanding academic ability. Enrollment in honors courses is open to qualified students in this degree program, as well as all other qualified FLCC students. Successful completion of honors courses or an Honors Certificate may increase student transfer options to four-year institutions.
Equipment Needs:- REQUIRED
- Portable Hard Drive: 80Gig or more Firewire Drive, 7200rpm, 8MB cache (Must be formatted for Mac only)
- Headphones: AKG 240 or Sony 7506
- RECOMMENDED
- Computer: Mac Pro or MacBook Pro
- Pro Tools Interface and Software: Any Digidesign 003, 002, or MBox 2 Pro w/ 7.4 Software
The Experience
The A.S. Music Recording Technology degree program includes coursework in music theory, audio recording, commercial music, applied music, and music ensemble. You will have the opportunity to broaden the scope of your classroom education by participating in performance groups such as the College Singers, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Finger Lakes Chorale, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, and Finger Lakes Camerata.
The Graduates
Graduates from this degree program may transfer to four-year colleges and universities such as Middle Tennessee University, SUNY College at Fredonia, and Nazareth College of Rochester* to earn baccalaureate degrees and become recording engineers at studios locally and in New York City.
Salary: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average annual earnings for sound technicians in 2001-02 were $40,000.
* This is a sampling of some of the four-year colleges and universities to which our students have transferred. Please consult your advisor or the Center for Advisement and Personal Development for a complete listing of transfer agreements between Finger Lakes Community College and four-year institutions.
The Faculty
Professors and instructors in the Music and Music Recording Technology programs hold master’s and/or doctorate degrees from such institutions as The Eastman School of Music, SUNY Buffalo and Ithaca College. They are all classically trained and practicing musicians. Several are working composers and have had works commissioned. Most of the faculty perform on a regular basis. The Music Recording instructors have much professional experience in the music industry as audio engineers. They have also worked with many professional musicians throughout the country. The adjunct faculty are many, and are all musicians. Meet our faculty.
