In recent years, the portability and cost-effectiveness of Desktop Audio Production have allowed musicians to have recording setups at home. However, there are some things you’d want to know before setting up the best home recording studio possible.
A basic setup will consist of; a computer with a software application for recording, an external hard drive, audio interface, keyboard controller, speakers (or headphones), and at least one microphone.
Before we talk about the equipment, let’s start by reviewing the common types of audio and computer connections that you should be familiar with:
Audio Connectors
1) 1/4″ TS – used for instruments such as guitar, bass, and keyboards.
2) 1/4″ TRS – used for connecting headphones to your audio interface output for monitoring.
3) RCA – used for consumer audio components such as home stereo systems
4) XLR – used for connecting microphones to your audio interface or mixer.
5) A “Combi” connector can accept either an XLR connector for mics or a 1/4″ connector for line-level instruments such as guitars and keyboards. Commonly used for inputs on smaller audio interfaces.
For more info and pics of the various audio connectors, checkout;
The Ultimate Guide to Audio Connector & Cables
Computer & Software
Whether you are using a Mac or a PC, the computer will serve as your recording device and the heart of the entire system. You’ll need to use a software application for recording, editing, and mixing. We refer to this type of application as a Digital Audio Workstation or “DAW” for short.
Audacity is a free application that offers all the features needed to record, edit and mix audio. It also includes signal processors such as EQ, compression, and reverb.
Many other applications offer additional features such as MIDI sequencing that you can use once you’ve gotten familiar with the basic techniques. DAW Software Buying Guide
Audio Interface
There are two main things that an audio interface does; 1) Audio Conversion 2) Level Control
An audio interface converts the incoming analog signals from a microphone or line-level instrument to binary code (1’s and 0’s). It sends that information to your computer through a USB cable connected to your computer. When you playback the digital audio, the same process happens in reverse. The computer sends the digital information to the audio interface and converts it back to electrical energy you hear with headphones or through the main outputs sent to powered monitors. Many interfaces have built-in preamps that allow for independent gain control of each channel used for recording. They also have independent control of headphone level, and the output sent to the monitors.
There are multiple reasons why an audio interface is needed;
– The built-in audio input/output of your computer does not adequately handle the levels needed for recording.
– It is not able to record multiple inputs at once.
– The ⅛” jacks are not compatible with standard microphone connections
– And the computer input is not able to supply the 48v phantom power needed for condenser mics.
System Requirements
Before purchasing a device, you will want to check the system requirements listed for the product to make sure it is compatible with your computer. It is essential for older model computers that may not possess the minimal requirements to work properly with the device.
You will want to know the current operating system, processing speed, and amount of RAM of your computer. RAM is the amount of “Active” memory that your computer has available to run the applications used.
You can find this information on a Mac by going to the “Apple Menu” in the top left corner of the screen and selecting “About this Mac.” It will bring up the Overview window, revealing the current OS, processing speed, and available RAM. Clicking on “System Report” will give additional information about the computer in greater detail. (Apple Menu > About > System Report)
You can find the computer info on a PC by clicking the “Windows Start Button” in the bottom left corner and selecting the “Settings” icon. Then select “System,” scroll down the left column to the bottom and click “About.” Here, you will see the current Operating System, Processor speed, and amount of RAM the computer has.
Connecting the Audio Interface
You can connect most current audio interfaces via USB and without an additional power source. You should plug the interface directly into the computer. Plugging the interface into a USB hub attached to the computer can cause issues with supplying the proper power required from the USB bus to the interface. Interfaces that require external power will come with an AC cable.
Microphones and instrument cables plug into the inputs on the front. You can monitor outputs through headphones plugged into the 1/4″ stereo output or separate left and right line outputs that feed a pair of powered monitors.
Some interfaces require a software download to allow for functionality with the computer. Check the user manual or website to see if a download is required. Make sure to restart your computer after any software updates are complete.
Keyboard Controller
If you are programming drums and other MIDI instruments, you will want some kind of keyboard controller to trigger notes using the sounds in the DAW. The controller plugs directly into a USB port on your computer. There are many types of controllers. Here is a list of current top-rated models: 10 Best Midi Keyboard Controllers in 2021
Microphones
Dynamic mics are frequently used for vocals in a live setting, but the best mics to use in the studio for acoustic instruments are condenser mics. They have better sensitivity but require “phantom power,” a 48v power source supplied through the mic cable by the interface or mixer. There are many affordable mics to choose from, like the Behringer C-1 large-diaphragm condenser mic or a pair of Behringer C-2 Matched pair small diaphragm microphones.
Some microphones have switches that change how the microphone picks up the sound. The Behringer C-3 Dual-diaphragm Condenser Microphone has switches to attenuate the input signal by -10dB, low-cut, and select between three different polar patterns to change the directional sensitivity of the mic. I typically use large-diaphragm mics for vocals and the smaller diaphragm mics for acoustic instruments and as overhead mics on a drum kit.
You’ll also need a few XLR cables to plug the microphones into your audio interface. They come in a variety of sizes depending on your needs. You will also need microphone stands to position the mics around the sound source.
Monitoring with Speakers
Speakers in studios are referred to as “Monitors” and come in two types – active and passive. Most home stereo systems use passive speakers. In these systems, the amplifier is in the stereo receiver itself, sending the powered signal to a wooden box equipped with speaker drivers to emit the sound.
The best speakers for home studio use are active monitors. These units have the amp system built into the box and are matched for proper output gain and frequency response. “Near-field” monitors are meant to be listened to from about 3 feet away. They are usually compact and are easy to connect – a single active speaker needs only a power cable and an input cable from the mixer or audio interface. They tend to be more precise and accurate as compared to the passive speakers.
There are many options for near-field monitors. Some of the more affordable models to consider are the PreSonus Eris E3.5 and the M-Audio AV32. These models only require AC power to the left monitor, which contains a two-channel power amp. The main outs from the interface are fed to the inputs of the left monitor, which feeds powered signal to the right monitor using traditional speaker wire via the +/- terminal connections.
Monitoring with Headphones
Although monitors are helpful, they are not always necessary since you have monitoring capabilities from the interface’s headphone jack. Even if you have speakers, you will need to use headphones while recording since you don’t want the microphones picking up the sound coming from the speakers.
There are two different types of headphones that I currently use: the Sennheiser HD280 closed-back headphones are good during recording since they are tight to the ear. They don’t let the sound bleed into the microphones while recording.
When I’m editing and mixing with headphones on the laptop, I prefer the AKG K240 semi-open back headphones. They aren’t as tight to the ears and are more comfortable when worn for long periods.
Hard Drives
The hard drive is an essential piece of hardware responsible for storing all the files in your computer and capturing what is recorded in real-time. The internal hard drive in your computer is always busy reading and writing information while it is used.
Although the internal drive can handle basic recording tasks, you should use an external drive to record and store project files. Using an external drive takes some of the burden off your computer with real-time tasks and keeps things working smoothly.
There are two basic uses to consider when purchasing a hard drive; storage backup and active use.
There is a difference between a drive used for backups and one for audio and video projects. The main difference is the speed at which the drive can spin.
For recording, you will want a drive that runs at 7200 rpm or a solid-state drive.
Drives that spin at 5400 rpm or slower are not suitable for audio recording but can be used for backup storage or archiving projects.
Consider this article that profiles some of the best External Hard drives in your search for more storage as well.
PRODUCT RESOURCES
Microphones
Behringer C-1 Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone ($60)
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/C1m–behringer-c-1-large-diaphragm-condenser-microphone
Behringer C-2 Matched Studio Condenser Microphones ($70/pair)
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/C2m–behringer-c-2-matched-studio-condenser-microphones-pair
Behringer C-3 Dual-diaphragm Condenser Microphone ($78)
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/C3m–behringer-c-3-dual-diaphragm-condenser-microphone
Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone ($99)
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AT2020–audio-technica-at2020-cardioid-condenser-microphone
AKG P420 Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone ($149)
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/P420–akg-p420-large-diaphragm-condenser-microphone
Rode M5 Matched Pair Compact Condenser Microphones ($199)
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/M5MP–rode-m5-matched-pair-compact-condenser-microphones
Shure SM81 Small-diaphragm Condenser Microphone
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SM81–shure-sm81-small-diaphragm-condenser-microphone
Audio-Technica AT4050 Condenser Microphone ($700)
Microphone Stands
https://www.sweetwater.com/c396–Microphone_Stands
Microphone Cables
https://www.sweetwater.com/c1033–Microphone_Cables
Headphones
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Closed-back Headphones ($100)
AKG K240 Studio Semi-open Pro Studio Headphones ($70)
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/K240S–akg-k240-studio-semi-open-pro-studio-headphones
Powered Monitors
PreSonus Eris E3.5 3.5″ Powered Studio Monitors ($100/pair)
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ErisE3.5–presonus-eris-e3.5-3.5-inch-powered-studio-monitors
M-Audio AV32 3″ Powered Studio Monitors ($100/pair)
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AV32–m-audio-av32-3-inch-powered-studio-monitors
Yamaha HS5 5″ Powered Studio Monitor ($199 each)
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HS5–yamaha-hs5-5-inch-powered-studio-monitor
Yamaha HS7 6.5″ Powered Studio Monitor ($320 each)
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HS7–yamaha-hs7-6.5-inch-powered-studio-monitor-black
Audio Interfaces
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface ($160)
PreSonus AudioBox iTwo USB Audio Interface ($160)
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AudioBoxiTwo–presonus-audiobox-itwo-usb-audio-interface
Steinberg UR22mkII USB Audio Interface ($165)
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UR22MKII–steinberg-ur22mkii-usb-audio-interface
Solid State Logic SSL2 USB Audio Interface ($230)
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SSL2–solid-state-logic-ssl2-usb-audio-interface
Hard Drives
Storage – Backup: Seagate Expansion 2TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive ($56)
Great for Recording; Glyph Blackbox Plus 1TB Rugged Portable Solid-State Drive ($200)
Great for recording. USB powered (does not required AC power source)
The effect movie, TV, and video game music has on viewers and gamers is powerful and has spiked an interest among musicians to learn the craft of writing to picture. Many composers work in all three mediums, which requires the ability to write for orchestral and electronic instruments, understanding the technology for pairing music and visuals, how to run a recording session, and the business aspects of this industry.
It’s a fairly technical field, so most college programs cover the same requisite skills for the job: foundational music theory and composition skills, history and techniques of film music, orchestration, conducting, and creating electronic scores using sequencers and sample libraries. Below, we will look at a three undergraduate and several graduate programs for those seeking a scoring career.
Berklee College of Music
https://college.berklee.edu/film-scoring
Many cite Berklee as having the nation’s top-rated undergraduate program which has been training media composers for decades. The college established a film scoring major in 1979, music synthesis major in 1984, and added video game scoring specialization within the Film Scoring curriculum in 2009. The Shames Family Scoring Stage is the largest recording studio at Berklee and ranks alongside the best studios in Hollywood, providing essential experiences for aspiring composers. With more than 6,000 students at the Boston campus, the instrumentalists and singers needed for even the most adventurous student scores are readily accessible.
The final project for Berklee students involves creating a finished media production that begins with creating a temp score for existing video and ends with a final soundtrack production plus additional steps that include recording and mixing scores and musical stems. Also addressed are the business, legal, and marketing aspects of a scoring career.
Berklee’s Valencia, Spain campus offers an intensive, one-year master’s degree program in scoring for film, TV, and video games, making a deeper dive into all facets of the field. The final project has students composing and conducting their orchestral score to picture at a top recording studio with professional players. Past projects have found the grad students leading sessions at London’s Abbey Road and Air Lyndhurst studios for their culminating experience, which becomes a major component of their portfolio. (Visit https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-today/fall-2015/abbey-road to read about a student group’s experience at Abbey Road Studios.)
New York University, Steinhardt School
https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/programs/screen-scoring
Located in Manhattan, Steinhardt offers a B.M. degree in Music Theory and Composition: Screen Scoring. Foundational training includes core music skills and historical survey courses in Western music, film music, and world music traditions. Further instruction includes four courses in orchestration and private composition lessons every semester. Students learn DAW technology and software programs as well as recording and mixing principles. Steinhardt’s undergrad students also take 20 credits of electives in composition, songwriting, and scoring and in other areas of their choice. NYU students also collaborate with young filmmakers among the university’s Cinema Studies students. The networking opportunities and internship possibilities in general around New York City are plentiful and enhance the student experience.
Steinhardt also offersr an M.M. degree in screen scoring. The program provides intensive training from faculty members and visiting artists as well as opportunities to work with celebrated professionals. Students collaborate on multiple scoring projects, and will graduate with a network of contacts and a portfolio containing many varied recordings that showcase their abilities.
University of Miami, Frost School of Music
https://mediawriting.frost.miami.edu/degrees/bm-in-media-scoring-and-production/index.html
Frost offers a B.M. in Media Scoring and Production with stated goals that include cultivating a highly competitive skill set in media scoring production techniques, an understanding of the music industry, and the ability to craft and execute a sound business plan. Frost graduates leave with a polished portfolio and electronic press kit showcasing their personal brand identity.
Frost also offers a two-year, M.M. program Media Scoring and Production with further emphasis on orchestral and electronic scoring, and more. The program is structured to be flexible enough for students to tailor their experience to their areas of interest and learn to adapt their skills to the future technological developments in the industry. Students also learn to create and execute a sound business plan and develop a portfolio that highlights their brand identity. The Frost media scoring program has been named by the Hollywood Reporter in their annual “Top 25 Music Schools for Film and TV” article for the past five years.
University of Southern California (USC)
The nation’s premier graduate-level scoring program is the intensive, one-year M.M degree track in Screen Scoring offered at USC’s Thornton School of Music. Occupying the catbird seat in Los Angeles, USC affords its students a vantage point for observing the entertainment industry close up. Students hear from its chief composers, recording engineers, music supervisors, and movie directors and producers, and other professionals who visit weekly for the Industry Forum and Composition Forum Lab.
The curriculum includes spotting for cinema, scoring for orchestra, and specialized explorations of scoring for motion pictures, TV, and games, conducting, film music history, recording, mixing, and editing for the screen, advanced scoring technology, and entrepreneurialism for composers.
Students write music for 10 scoring sessions booked at such iconic facilities as Capitol Studios, Warner Bros., and the Clint Eastwood Scoring Stage with first-call studio L.A. musicians in ensembles ranging from five to 65 players. Each student also composes for five film productions created by graduate students in USC’s School fo Cinematic Arts and recorded on campus at the John Williams Scoring Stage with Thornton School musicians.
University of Rochester, Eastman School of Music
https://www.esm.rochester.edu/
Eastman offers a Master of Music in Contemporary Media/Film Composition, and accepted students begin by taking placement tests in music history, jazz or traditional theory, and piano skills. The curriculum includes courses in film and video game scoring, history and analysis of film music, conducting, contemporary styles composition, digital programming, arranging for the recording studio, participation in ensembles, and a media composition forum.
Eastman’s Beal Institute for Film Music and Contemporary Media provides instruction and practical experience with visiting artists and opportunities to collaborate on cross-disciplinary and multi-media projects with students and faculty members from other departments. Institute students compose for recording sessions and live performances with Eastman instrumentalists, including conducting their scores live-to-picture.
Indiana University Bloomington, Jacobs School of Music
https://music.indiana.edu/admissions/auditions/music-scoring.html
The graduate degree program in Music Scoring for Visual Media Program at Jacobs, requires a bachelor’s degree in composition or a demonstrated equivalent before students can begin to explore the staples of a scoring education: orchestration and synth orchestration, tailoring music to dramatic storylines, as well as facets of music licensing. A plus for this program is that it facilitates collaborations across majors with filmmakers and video game designers from the Media Arts & Sciences studies area. Additionally, the Jon Vickers Scoring Award (named for Jon Vickers, director of IU Cinema) pairs a winning student composer of a score for a silent film with student musicians, audio engineering and production students, and IU Cinema technicians and projectionists for a live-to-picture event.
The Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program
https://www.pnwfilmmusic.com/master-of-music-in-film-composition
Seattle, Washington’s Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program has partnered with the Seattle Film Institute to offer a 40-week, low-residency M.M. degree in film composition. Like the Frost School, Pacific has been named among the top schools for scoring studies by the Hollywood Reporter. Areas of emphasis include instruction in software programs used in the industry, studio technology, mixing, creating music and sound design for games, plus business and contracts. Students write and conduct music for live recording sessions with professional musicians in state-of-the-art studios, and collaborate with student directors from around the world. By the end of the one-year program, graduates assemble a stylistically-rounded, demo reel, as well as invaluable connections from which to launch a career.
Columbia College Chicago
https://www.colum.edu/academics/programs/music-composition-for-the-screen-mfa
Columbia offers a two-year graduate program leading to an M.F.A. in composition for film, TV, video games, and augmented and virtual reality. The coursework includes techniques for dramatic scoring for live musicians and programming for digital instruments based on the industry standards for media music production. Through courses on the unique processes of film, TV, and interactive media, students learn to adapt their music to various contexts. For the program’s capstone project, students spend five weeks in Los Angeles for an internship with a composer of their choice based on their interests and aspirations. The end result is a student-led recording session for the thesis project with a full orchestra in a professional studio.
Important Considerations
Giving advice for future grad students, Dan Carlin, chair of the screen scoring program at USC, cites the choice USC made to create an intensive, one-year program requiring 18 credits per semester. “The high cost of tuition will deter some students from choosing a two-year program,” he says. “We want to attract the top students and cost can be a factor.”
Carlin also mentions the advantages of studying in New York or Los Angeles because of the entertainment industry presence in those cities. Both NYU and USC give students access to top figures employed in the industry.
“When our students record their projects with L.A. studio musicians, we build time into the schedule so they can get feedback from people who make their living playing this music,” Carlin says. “They tell students how to improve their conducting, copy work, voicings, or whatever. You can’t get that from student musicians. Additionally, we’ve had our graduates get jobs because these musicians have recommended them to filmmakers they know. This is a word-of-mouth industry, so this is a very important factor.”
About the Author
Mark Small, classical guitarist, composer, and music journalist, has spent the majority of his life in New England. He has composed classical, jazz, pop, and sacred music for chorus, wind ensemble, orchestra, piano, and guitar. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in classical guitar performance from New England Conservatory and California State University, Fullerton. He also studied guitar and composition at Berklee College of Music, and served for 26 years as editor of Berklee today magazine until his retirement in 2018.
An active music journalist, Mark has written for Guitar Player, DownBeat, Acoustic Guitar, Soundboard, Classical Guitar, and other music publications.
Did you find this blog helpful? Do you picture yourself in a music career? If the answer to that is a “yes”, your next step is simple. Contact insidemusicschools.com and allow our team of industry insiders to guide you toward your goal of being a professional in the music industry. Through expert counseling and real world experience, we will make sure you are prepared for the journey
by Steven Lipman
Choosing your Music Degree: Knowing What You Want to Do
Attaining a music degree starts with knowing what you want to do.
Music is absolutely an art form, but its application in education – and the world – is about as varied as music itself. You may be studying commercial songwriting, which ultimately incorporates more psychology-based training than other music majors. Or, you want to pursue research in musicology, in which case you would most likely need to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
And for students who want to focus their education on playing well and exploring deeply into performance or creation, an arts-oriented degree is what you’re looking for. That said, it should be clear that studying music in college doesn’t just mean getting a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance.
Colleges, conservatories, and universities are always developing new majors and curriculums for performance and creation, technical skills and engineering, and for the business world. Our evolving educational system has changed the playing field drastically to suit the increasingly diverse needs of music education, especially when technology and science are involved.
And You Can Choose Whatever Path You Want
All you need to study music in college is a burning passion for it, and a drive to improve constantly. Whether you’re a player or composer, an engineer, or a business-minded individual, there’s a specific music degree for you—you just have to focus your interests, and then choose the right program for you.
What’s a “music major,” and what’s a “music degree”?
First and foremost, we should clarify the difference between a major and a degree.
A degree is a credential you receive after completing a course of study. During your course of study, you are in pursuit of obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree, or a Master of Science.
Majors express the subject you are studying in pursuit of your degree. Whereas a Bachelor of Music is a degree, your major might be in Composition, or Music Performance. The whole degree-major name might be a Bachelor of Music in Composition, for instance.
What is the right music program?
You may have a music school near your house, or your brother or sister may have gone to one school hundreds of miles away and you feel like your legacy should take you there as well.
Unfortunately it’s not that easy to choose the right music school. As creative people, we are sensitive to our environments. Putting yourself in the right one for you is perhaps the most important part about investing in a music education.
Some programs are more competitive, and others give you a career advantage with top-notch internships. Famous faculty is a huge advantage, as is the case with Wynton Marsalis’s jazz program at the Juilliard School located in the Lincoln Center in New York City. Students of Marsalis receive incredible insights developed by decades of work and phenomenal success. This would be an incredible program for a jazz player’s performance degree, but may not be the best for someone who wants to study classical composition.
With all that said, choosing the right program for you is harder than it looks. There are hundreds if not thousands of options to choose from just in the United States, and your ideal music school is bound to be one of them. Which one depends on several factors:
- what you are looking for
- your skill
- your dedication
- the curriculum
- the faculty
- the student body
Types of Music Degrees
One thing to find out is which type of degree you think suits your interests best. And there are ten different types of degrees which can have music as its focus.
Bachelor of Music (BM)
The Bachelor of Music is the most common type of music degree. It’s these types of degrees that are almost exclusively offered at conservatories and music departments at universities. Students who pursue this degree will expect to concentrate on performance, composition, and theory. However, this type of degree is available in almost any concentration depending on the institution.
Some schools offer a Bachelor of Music in Music Theory, or in Music Production, for instance. Still, the main difference between a Bachelor of Music and any other type of degree is its concentration on music-related material. Students who pursue a Bachelor of Music will take less non-musical courses here than in other degree tracks.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a generalized degree which offers an education that is usually not performance-focused, but there are exceptions to this rule.
Perfect for students who want a well-rounded education, the BA in Arts is great for the following types of concentrations:
Bachelor of Arts In Music – A generalized degree which can encompass performance, but also music history, theory, and composition.
Bachelor of Arts in Music With A Concentration – These degrees offer more classes in a specific focus, often based on the goal of further study, or a career.
- Musicology – The study of musical history, and its cultural and sociological implications
- Music Theory – You learn the rules of music, with all its ins and outs
- Composition – The art of composing music is your focus
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Then there’s the Bachelor of Fine Arts. This degree is the realm where performance majors may study. It is also the realm where composition or theory majors can also obtain BFAs in Music for a deeper exploration into their craft. This delves generally deeper than a Bachelor of Arts—but less than a Bachelor of Music.
The most common Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music degrees are:
- 1. Music Performance – Students who want to perfect their craft with intensive study and demanding performance instruction will work for a BFA in Music Performance.
- 2. Music Composition – Even more than the BA, a BFA in music composition will allow you to compose more music, and dive deeper into the art.
- 3. Music Theory – A BFA in Music Theory
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Students who have a passion for recording, producing, or synthesizers and sound design might get a Bachelor of Science in Music. Science degrees with a musical concentration are often connected to a specific application. Examples of this are music production or a technology-based career.
You can also obtain a music business degree with a Bachelor of Science, for students who want to work in music production, artist development, or media distribution.
The most common Bachelor of Science in Music degrees are:
- Sound Recording Technology (SRT) – This is for students who see themselves working in studios recording artists, orchestras, and any other number of musical outfits.
- Sound Design – These students explore digital technology, developing new formats to store and record music for a variety of uses.
Master of Arts (MA)
The Master of Arts in Music is a degree that requires obtaining a bachelor’s degree. As an additional educational credential, these programs are for students who want to obtain an advanced degree in any number of musical applications.
Concentrations in the Master of Arts degree are largely the same as the Bachelor’s of Music, but with more intense study. And, with certain degrees you are able to start teaching music in educational settings such as elementary, middle, and high school.
Master of Science (MS)
The Master of Science is a secondary degree you receive after your first college degree. Students who want to further their skills in audio engineering, sound recording technology, and several other fields might find this the best option.
Master of Music (MM)
The Master of Music degree is a course of study more closely focused with musical pursuits. In some cases these degrees require less courses outside of music, and in some cases—though not all—you receive more musical training than a Master of Arts.
Doctorate Degree (PhD)
A Doctorate of Music degree, sometimes just called a Doctor of Music, a Doctoral Degree, or PhD (which stands for the Latin term philosophiae doctor or Doctor of Philosophy) is awarded to students who have made a significant contribution to the world of music in terms of composition, recordings, and research.
A focus of all PhD degrees is adding knowledge to the field, furthering an understanding of music overall. This is done through publishing dissertations which explore at a scientific or philosophical level a subject regarding music.
Doctorate of Musical Arts (DMA)
While a PhD is a more academic degree, the Doctorate of Musical Arts is focused more on performance, composition, or theory than any other degree. Master musicians will embark on these degree tracks to become authorities in their instrument and creative pursuits.
Contact Us
Did you find this blog helpful? Do you picture yourself in a music career? If the answer to that is a “yes”, your next step is simple. Contact insidemusicschools.com and allow our team of industry insiders to guide you toward your goal of being a professional in the music industry. Through expert counseling and real world experience, we will make sure you are prepared for the journey
Artist Degree (AD)
The Artist Degree, also known as the Artist Diploma, is a highly-focused credential which is usually obtained after a Bachelor’s Degree. There are typically no courses outside of music with these degrees. In the majority of cases, professional musicians will take on this degree track to further sharpen their skills. And, the students of these degrees are generally already authorities in their field.
Which degree is right for you?
The right music degree for you is whichever helps you achieve your goals. Just like knowing which is the right music school, the perfect degree should help you embrace your particular interests above all else.
That’s because studying music requires passion and guidance, and that’s where I can help.
My name’s Steve Lipman, and I know what it means to get into the “right music school.” As a music school admissions consultant with over 40 years in the college admissions industry, I can guide you with portfolio and repertoire development, admissions counseling, and audition preparation to help you to get into not just the best music school, but the right one for you.
Reach out today at your earliest convenience. I get back to all requests promptly – talk soon!
by Steven Lipman
Choosing the best school to study musical theater can be a daunting experience. Fortunately, there is help available for picking the best ones, and each has something special to consider. To help make the process as seamless as possible, Inside Music Schools offers admissions consulting for college-bound students interested in the musical stage.
The Top Schools to Study Musical Theater
- NYU: Tisch and Steinhardt: Both of these reputable schools at NYU offer an undergraduate musical theater program that pairs a broad and empowering academic curriculum with rigorous conservatory training. Instructors ready students to recreate the fields they enter. They do this by building on the school’s intellectual and creative assets – and through the unrivaled cultural resources of NYC, including the diverse schedule of productions steered by theater artists and internationally renowned faculty. Tisch Drama empowers aspiring artists to influence the performing arts field and beyond, allowing them to apply their talents across multiple disciplines and industries.
- University of Michigan: The Department of Musical Theater at UMich has the reputation of being one of the top musical theater programs in the world. The college offers young performers the opportunity to receive a premier university education and conservatory-style instruction. Hailed for its intelligent and skilled graduates, the program has one of the largest alumni networks employed on Broadway. The faculty consists of expert industry professionals, along with leading pedagogues. UMich students, who proudly call themselves “Wolverines,” reflect the diversity of today’s world. Individualism is treasured, and the university cultivates each Wolverine’s unique hopes, strengths, and talents.
- Carnegie Mellon University (CMU): The Musical Theatre program at CMU is conservatory training taught within a university setting. Students in the program can expect to attend a four-year, sequence-based program that leads to a BFA in Drama. Both musical theater and acting students take the same intensive core curriculum with classes that include acting and movement, as well as voice and speech. While attending the School of Drama, students can also take several cross-option courses and periodic electives. Classes at Carnegie Mellon are small, which provides the perfect environment for in-depth and personal attention. In turn, this promotes a strong sense of collaboration.
- American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA): AMDA provides exceptional, performance-based instruction and an industry-focused educational experience. Students attending the Academy discover an appreciation for transformative and universal power through art, and its extensive curriculum inspires graduates to excellence. AMDA bases its educational philosophy on individualized interaction between instructors and their students. The school’s location in New York City provides the student body with scores of enriching opportunities to immerse themselves in theater.
- University of Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music (CCM): the New York Times declared CCM “one of this country’s leading conservatories.” Students seeking their BA in Music can get their start at this college with study that spans the spectrum of media and performing arts. CCM provides a life-changing, highly creative, and multidisciplinary artistic learning environment. The prestigious institution, with roots going back to 1867, is nationally ranked and internationally renowned. CCM’s visionary instruction, character, and the synergy created by housing its facilities within a comprehensive college prepares artists and scholars for the world stage. Noted alumni include Ashley Brown, known for her title role in the Broadway production of Mary Poppins, and Li Chuan Yun, Chinese concert artist and violin virtuoso.
- Boston Conservatory at Berklee (BOCO): This conservatory is associated with Berklee College of Music. BOCO emphasizes classical music training, and its progressive spirit is readily apparent in the variety of music-making opportunities found there. The world-class facility challenges students to define the type of musician they desire to be. This approach, matched with focused, individual, and extensive training, is vital to developing each student’s artistic voice and technical skills. Students attending BOCO have the opportunity to work with musicians across a wide array of styles, enriched by a diversity of cultures. The conservatory houses division in classical music as well as the dramatic arts. It also offers cross-registration of courses with the Berklee College of Music.
- Northwestern University – Bienen School of Music: Founded in 1873, Bienen is one of the oldest degree-granting music schools in the United States. An education there provides students with mastery as well as such essential values as superb musicianship, communication, a sense of discipline, and a commitment to excellence, all paramount for success wherever their interests lead. The journey starts in the classroom, teaching studio, practice room, and concert hall. The school is close to Chicago, and several of its alumni and faculty received Grammy nominations for 2021.
- Point Park University: Point Park’s BFA in Musical Theater is a robust and thorough eight-semester program designed to ready graduates for careers in professional theater. It emphasizes acting, music, and dance. The demands of the training, performance, and creative components are intense. Students learn from faculty who have trained and worked on global stages. Acclaimed guest artists, casting directors, playwrights, and choreographers frequent Point Park’s Downtown Pittsburgh campus, where they direct master classes and workshops.
- Oklahoma City University (OCU): The Bachelor n Musical Theater at OCU focuses on training students with a high aptitude in singing for careers in Broadway-style performances. The highly committed faculty trains musical theater majors as professional musicians, highly skilled dancers, and actors. The vocal cross-training they provide makes graduating students both competitive and versatile. The degree is music-intensive, and students in the musical theater program audition for all six annual productions by the Bass School of Music and are cast in other operas and musicals as well. Students at the university gain performance skills and music training through courses in acting, dance, stagecraft, and performance techniques, in addition to general studies.
- University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA): The university combines intensive, individual study opportunities under artist mentors with a rich variety of performance opportunities that include more than 200 concerts, recitals, and other performances each year. Many of the musical experiences are collaborations with other UNCSA arts schools. Students attend weekly master classes taught by noted guest artists. They rehearse and perform in state-of-the-art facilities and also book performances as musicians in Winston-Salem. Additionally, UNCSA offers one of the only four-year residential high school arts programs in America.
Here are other excellent schools for your consideration:
- Penn State University
- Pace University
- Yale University (Drama grad.)
- Syracuse University
- Baldwin Wallace University
- Manhattan School of Music
Some Things to Consider When Selecting a School to Study Musical Theater
There are many factors to keep in mind when selecting a musical theater school. The following are a few to consider:
- Location: Students should consider a school’s location and look for programs close to a major city or a thriving theater community. This action can help make getting internships or work possible and provide good networking opportunities.
- Interests: Students need to identify their specific interests (film, television, vocal training, etc.) and choose a program that offers courses within that specialty. Students interested in costume and set design or production may wish to select a program that includes courses in subjects or opportunities for hands-on experience in theater production.
- The Space: Finding a musical theater school with various facilities and performance spaces, such as auditoriums and black box theaters, will allow students to perform and get familiar with all the different types of productions available.