Audio Arts (M.A.)

Program Overview

The interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Audio Arts program at Syracuse University offers a comprehensive education in the music industry and audio arts fields. Students develop practical skills in audio production, recording, editing, and mixing, while gaining a deep understanding of music history, theory, and business. The program culminates in a professional music industry internship, providing hands-on experience and networking opportunities. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in various roles within the music industry, including music production, recording engineering, and music business management.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: The interdisciplinary master of arts (M.A.)
degree program in audio arts offers students the opportunity to learn about and gain skills in the music industry and audio arts fields. The program is designed to cater to students with diverse backgrounds and career goals, including liberal arts majors, music engineers, and music industry students interested in sound production.
• Objectives: The program aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the music industry, including its history, structure, and current trends.
Students will also develop practical skills in audio production, recording, editing, and mixing. The program culminates in a professional music industry internship that provides students with hands-on experience in the field.
• Description: The program is taught in conjunction with Syracuse University’s S.I.
Newhouse School of Public Communications and offers four specializations at the intersection of music and media: music industry studies, sound production and recording arts, radio horizons, and music video. The program begins with an intensive summer “boot camp” and concludes with a professional music industry internship capstone the following summer.

Outline:

• Content: The program covers a wide range of topics, including music history, music theory, music business, audio production, recording, editing, and mixing.
Students will also learn about the latest technologies and trends in the music industry.
• Structure: The program is divided into three semesters.
The first semester includes coursework in music history, music theory, and audio production. The second semester includes coursework in music business, recording, and editing. The third semester includes coursework in mixing, mastering, and music industry capstone.
• Course Schedule: The program's course schedule varies depending on the student's specialization.
However, all students will take the following core courses:
• Music History I and II
• Music Theory I and II
• Audio Production I and II
• Music Business
• Recording and Editing
• Mixing and Mastering
• Music Industry Capstone
• Modules: In addition to the core courses, students will also take a number of elective courses.
Elective courses vary depending on the student's specialization. Some of the available elective courses include:
• Live Sound and Concert Recording
• Music Recording
• Audio Mastering
• Live Sound Design
• Live Sound Mixing
• Sound for Picture
• Radio Production
• Radio Business
• Social Media and Entertainment Media
• Animation and Visual Effects
• TV Production
• Shortform Production
• Social Media in the Enterprise

Assessment:

• Methods: Students in the program are assessed through a variety of methods, including written exams, oral presentations, and hands-on projects.
• Criteria: Students are assessed on their knowledge of the music industry, their ability to apply music theory to practical applications, and their ability to produce, record, edit, and mix audio.

Teaching:

• Methods: The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, discussions, workshops, and hands-on projects.
• Faculty: The program's faculty includes experienced music industry professionals and academics.
The faculty is committed to providing students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the music industry.
• Unique Approaches: The program offers several unique approaches to teaching audio arts.
For example, the program's summer “boot camp” provides students with an immersive experience in the music industry. The program also offers a variety of internships and other opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience.

Careers:

• Career Paths: Graduates of the program will be qualified to work in a variety of roles in the music industry, including music producer, recording engineer, audio editor, music business executive, and radio broadcaster.
• Opportunities: The program provides students with a number of opportunities to connect with potential employers.
For example, the program's summer “Winterlude” in Los Angeles provides students with the opportunity to network with world-class business leaders and content creators. The program also hosts a number of guest speakers and workshops from industry professionals.
• Outcomes: Graduates of the program have gone on to successful careers in the music industry.
Some notable graduates include:
• Grammy Award-winning producer Tony Visconti
• Emmy Award-winning composer Mark Isham
• Tony Award-winning sound designer Scott Lehrer
• Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Wynton Marsalis