Music Technology and Higher Education - An Emerging Trend

Music schools are now becoming more diverse byofferings by adding more academic and technology
expanding their course offerings and majors to includeprograms. For instance, Chicago's Columbia College
music business, musical genres and especially musicjust recently launched the Contemporary Urban and
production and technology. Among these musicPopular Music Program and awards a Bachelor's
schools, one of the hottest trends in music education isdegree for students that are interested in producing,
in contemporary music and modern music production.composing and performing modern music. Ironically, this
Why? Music schools are looking for new ways tois the same degree awarded to students for classical
open their resources to a wider range of students.composition.
Especially in the aforementioned area. Technology isMany schools which started as traditional
changing the way many of today's leading musiciansconservatories are now offering degrees in Music
compose, perform and produce. It is also changing theBusiness, Music Industry and Music Engineering
way in which music reaches audiences both in theTechnology. Berklee College of Music and the
recorded and performance mediums.University of Miami's Frost School of Music were the
The country's leading music programs and evenamong the pioneers in these non-traditional fields of
traditional conservatories are taking notice. There is amusic. Schools are offering these programs designed
reason for this. Schools are finding it necessary forfor modern music production which are essential for
their sustainability to train students for the careers thatsustainability and are using modern methods in order to
will exist 20 years from now. This includes goingreach current and future students.
beyond the traditional classical curriculum and pickingMusic has been deeply affected by the enormous
up on ideas that have led to the emergence ofchange evolving in all forms of media. Every branch of
non-traditional music programs such as Berklee Collegethe arts has and will be affected for years to come.
of Music and Musicians Institute. Many of today's jobsIt's important that we embrace the future and what
a few years from now will have been replaced bytechnology has to offer in the field of music. With new
other things. Other careers in music will be invented orideas come new possibilities and exciting opportunities.
explored. What these jobs or other careers will be,This emerging trend has not gone unnoticed and many
only time will tell. But colleges owe it to their students tomusic schools are now getting involved. Music colleges
make sure their needs are being met and that theyowe it to their students to meet their current goals as
are truly prepared for a career in music.a musician and lead them in directions they may never
Traditional distinctions among types of music schoolsthought existed.
are becoming less prominent as schools increase their