GCCC offers new music technology programs
Gulf Coast Community College has been training musicians and performers for years. Now, it will offer students a certificate program and a degree program in music production technology.
The only prerequisite for taking the two-semester Music Audio Technology Certificate Program: Students must know how to read music.
“It’s for students who want to train in employable skills,” said Rusty Garner, coordinator of technical services and support for the college. “It’s for entrepreneurial musicians who want to record themselves and distribute their own albums and develop a Web presence.”
Courses for the two-year associate in science degree include:
Introduction to acoustics, so students can understand the physics of sound and how to capture sound;
Two levels of recording technology: mastering, or preparing a recording for distribution, and mix down, a part of the postproduction process;
Two labs on session recording;
The business of music, which focuses on the legal aspects of publishing and copyrighting music;
Electives to include multimedia, video editing and editing for the Web.
“This is not a transfer program,” Garner said. “Students won’t be required to take as many of the core courses they would need to transfer, like math, science and English.”
As part of their training, students will be able to record student recitals and concerts and bring in projects of their own.
Garner said he is trying to assemble a community advisory group so GCCC can provide internships for students at local radio and television stations.
Many students interested in performing, composing and arranging music also have expressed interest in getting into the production end of music, and the music industry is looking for versatile people who know how to record, as well as perform music, he said.
“The music industry is expanding its definition of entertainment areas,” Garner said. “In order to get exposure as a musician, you have to be able to produce your own material. The possibility of an artist getting a contract, especially in classical music, is almost nil. It’s just a better financial situation for an artist to distribute their own music rather than going to a record company.”
Though the two new music technology programs do not begin until fall, Garner said GCCC is accepting registrations for a course called Introduction to Music Technology, which will be held this spring.
“If you don’t read or write music, take this theory course,” Garner said. “Once students get out of school and get a job, most employers will assume they can do both.”