Music and Technology

The Music and Technology Program at Stevens Institute of Technology is designed to provide undergraduate students with a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the interrelationship between Music and Technology. We view technology not merely as a tool that may foster creativity but as a mirror reflecting the creative spirit of the individual. In this regard, it is our mission to not merely provide the musicianship skills and technological aptitude necessary for any actively engaged musician, but cultivate an insight into the mutually dependent nature of music and technology. With such insight, our students actively engage the critical thinking necessary for implementing creative and technical innovation in music.

WHAT YOU WILL STUDY

All Music and Technology students will complete a rigorous unified curriculum that will include courses in music theory, history, composition, production, sound design instrumental proficiency and technological innovation. This unified curriculum will prepare the student for a future within a field in which technological innovation and implementation is an increasingly critical requisite. Today, without a demonstrated mastery of the current technological tools of the art, the conception of the art, no matter how well defined or conceived, may never be brought to fruition. As such, The Music and Technology Major at Stevens is focused on providing a well-balanced course of study that will prepare the student for the ever increasing demands of today's musicians.

OUR FACILITIES

The Music and Technology major has a number of facilities in constant use by students and faculty alike. All incoming majors receive a MacBook Pro laptop computer loaded with ProTools, Ableton Live, Sibelius, and the East West Silver orchestral Library. This studio in a box is used to accomplish assignments across the program and also interface with our different facilities.

The Media Arts Center Lab space is a core teaching facility that houses 17 Mac computers loaded with software supporting a multitude of classes. Filled with programming from ProTools, Ableton and Logic to Maya, PureData, Photoshop and After Effects, these computers are made available for student work over 20 hours a week. The environment is also equipped with a Genelec 5.1 surround system for multichannel reproduction used in the Sound Design and Audio Post courses.

The Music Studio is used for classes, rehearsals, and basic functionality as a recording space. There are plans for a future equipment upgrade and facilities construction for a world-class recording environment on campus. CAL also rents Water Music Recorders, a commercial facility off campus, for the Sound Recording series of classes.

The Piano Lab holds 12 Casio 88 weighted key electric pianos. This facility is used for piano classes and is also open to the students who use these keyboards as MIDI controllers interfacing with their laptop-based projects.

The Sound Synthesis Research Center is home to an extensive array of electronic music tools including synthesizers, electronic drums, Guitar MIDI controllers and other audio processors. The SSRC provides faculty and students a dedicated facility in which they may conduct research into a variety of topics within the discipline.

WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH A MUSIC AND TECHNOLOGY DEGREE

The Music and Technology program provides great and diverse opportunities for our graduates in a wide variety of areas. Upon graduation, students will be prepared for positions such as a Sound Engineer, Producer, Composer, Orchestrator, Studio Proprietor, Sound Designer, Audio Content Developer, Researcher, Programmer, Instrument Designer/Developer, Performer, and Education.

Recent graduates have secured positions as Chief Engineer at a syndicated radio station, Staff Composer for a Film and TV music production house, Graduate School: Master of Music Composition and Theory, and Audio Content Producer for Audible.com.

OUR FACULTY

As a student in our programs you will have access to faculty who are engaged in some of the most exciting and innovative projects in their fields. Among our Music & Technology faculty are a world-class guitarist who has toured and recorded with some of the best known artists in the industry; an acclaimed sound engineer who has worked with artists across genres and styles; a concert pianist who has toured the world and performed on some of the most famous concert stages; an award-winning composer who conducts international symphonies; and an internationally renowned musician and music producer known for everything from ambient and experimental music to progressive rock.