A A Email Print Share

Bachelor of Music: Major in Music Technology

Undergraduate students may choose from three concentration tracks: Electronic Performance, Electronic Composition, or Sound Recording. All undergraduate tracks include the University and School Of Music core curricula, along with specialized studies in computer software applications, music synthesis, electronic performance, electronic orchestration and audio recording techniques.

Undergraduate students complete the traditional elements of the music curriculum while they gain expertise in such areas as electronics, recording theory, computerized music applications, music production, acoustics, and studio design and management. Students also gain the advantage of a true University education by completing Duquesne's core curriculum in the liberal arts and sciences, providing a well rounded education for meeting life's challenges beyond the field of music technology.

Tech Performance

The Electronic Performance track emphasizes real-time and computer-assisted performance techniques and the use of electronic controllers, which allow all instrumentalists-including wind and string players, percussionists, keyboardists and guitarists-access to the latest digital technology.

A wide variety of electronic instruments are available in the Music Technology labs, ranging from keyboards to guitar synthesizers to the Theremin. Students are also encouraged to bring or purchase their own electronic controller of choice; opportunities to perform include the Electronic Ensemble and various student recitals and recording projects. The Performance track culminates in the public presentation of a final performance project / recital.

Applicants to the performance track must pass all three audition areas: performance on an instrument of their choice, theory, and musicianship.

Freshman Year

Music Technology Seminar
Applied Music
Beginning Piano for Performance Majors I & II
Computers for Musicians
Music Technology I
Introduction to Audio I & II
Musicianship I & II
Large Ensemble
Eurhythmics I & II
Core

Total

Sophomore Year

Music Technology Seminar
Applied Music
Music Technology II & III
Audio I & II
Musicianship III & IV
Large Ensemble
Electives
Core

Total

Junior Year

Music Technology Seminar
Applied Music
Instrumental Conducting
Musicianship V & VI
MIDI Controller Techniques
Electronic Orchestration
Music Technology IV
Electronic Ensemble
Junior Recital
Electives
Career Perspectives in Music Tech.
Core

Total

Senior Year

Music Technology Seminar
Applied Music
Internship
Advanced Theory Electives
Multimedia Elective
Electronic Ensemble
Senior Recital
Final Project
Electives
Core
B.M. in Music Technology

Total

Fall

0 credits
2 credits
2 credits
2 credits
-
2 credits
4 credits
1 credit
2 credits
3 credits

18 credits

Fall

0 credits
2 credits
2 credits
2 credits
4 credits
1 credit
2 credits
3 credits

16 credits

Fall

0 credits
2 credits
2 credits
4 credits
2 credits
-
2 credits
1 credit
-
-
2 credits
3 credits

18 credits

Fall

0 credits
2 credits
-
2 credits
3 credits
1 credit
-
-
3 credits
3 credits
-

14 credits

Spring

0 credits
2 credits
2 credits
-
2 credits
2 credits
4 credits
1 credit
2 credits
3 credits

18 credits

Spring

0 credits
2 credits
2 credits
2 credits
4 credits
1 credit
3 credits
3 credits

17 credits

Spring

0 credits
2 credits
-
4 credits
-
2 credits
-
1 credit
0 credits
4 credits
-
3 credits

16 credits

Spring

0 credits
2 credits
2 credits
2 credits
-
1 credit
1 credit
1 credit
3 credits
3 credits
0 credits

15 credits

Total degree program

132 credits

*Curriculum is subject to change.

Sound Recording

At Duquesne, we realize that textbook education is not enough. That is why students in the Sound Recording Technology track make use of newly expanded facilities, including Multi-track Digital Audio Workstations such as Protools, Samplitude, Logic, Nuendo and Sonar complemented with a complete analogue layout as well as digital tape based and RAM based storage. A digital music technology laboratory is equipped with a wide array of state-of-the-art synthesizers, sequencers, plug ins ,computers as well as composition and music software.

Duquesne's close ties with the music industry ensure that our studio and lab equipment remains the best available. Students work not only on their own projects, but engineer actual recording sessions for school of music ensembles, projects and professors providing the "real world" experience, which sharpens skills and fully prepares students for recording careers. In addition student’s can benefit from Duquesne’s relationship with the music industry by taking advantage of internships that have lead to many career opportunities.

Graduates of the program will possess the necessary musical, technological and intellectual skills required to become successful in today's competitive music field, and to enhance their artistic expression through the recording medium. They will be prepared to pursue careers in music; studio recording; audio engineering and production; radio, television and film production; corporate and agency advertising; music publishing; online industry distribution and marketing; music product development and many other fields.

Applicants to the sound recording track must pass all three audition areas: performance on the instrument of their choice, theory, and musicianship.

Freshman Year

Total

Sophomore Year

Music Technology Seminar
Applied Music
Music Technology II & III
Audio I & II
Musicianship III & IV
Large Ensemble
Electives
Jazz Harmony-Form/Notation
Core

Total

Junior Year

Music Technology Seminar
Ensemble
Applied Music
Musicianship V & VI
Jazz Arranging I
Audio III & IV
Junior Recital
Electives
Career Perspectives in Music Tech.
Music Technology IV
Core

Total

Senior Year

Music Technology Seminar
Ensemble
Applied Music
Advanced Theory Electives
Internship
Conducting
Post Production & Mastering
Advanced Audio Production
Multimedia Elective
Senior Recital
Final Project
Electives
Core
B.M. in Music Technology

Total

Fall

0 credits
2 credits
2 credits
2 credits
-
2 credits
4 credits
1 credit
2 credits
3 credits

18 credits

Fall

0 credits
2 credits
2 credits
2 credits
4 credits
1 credit
-
2 credits
3 credits

16 credits

Fall

0 credits
1 credit
2 credits
4 credits
2 credits
2 credits
-
-
2 credits
2 credits
3 credits

18 credits

Fall

0 credits
1 credit
2 credits
2 credits
2 credits
2 credits
2 credits
-
-
-
2 credits
3 credits
-

16 credits

Spring

0 credits
2 credits
2 credits
-
2 credits
2 credits
4 credits
1 credit
2 credits
3 credits

18 credits

Spring

0 credits
2 credits
2 credits
2 credits
4 credits
1 credit
2 credits
-
3 credits

16 credits

Spring

0 credits
1 credit
2 credits
4 credits
-
2 credits
0
3 credits
-
-
3 credits

15 credits

Spring

0 credits
1 credits
2 credits
2 credits
-
-
-
2 credits
1 credit
1 credit
3 credits
3 credits
0 credits

15 credits

Total degree program

132 credits

*Curriculum is subject to change.

Tech Composition

The Electronic Composition track emphasizes the development of both traditional and contemporary compositional techniques, as well as acquiring skills in computer score notation and production for video, film and live productions. Student composers have many opportunities to have pieces performed in student ensembles and recitals, and are encouraged to explore combining multimedia presentation techniques with their original compositions.

Composition majors will also learn basic audio skills and electronic performance techniques in order to record their pieces and develop a portfolio. Like the Performance track, the Electronic Composition track culminates in the public presentation of a final project / recital.

Students applying to enter the Electronic Composition track of the Music Technology degree program must submit a portfolio of notated examples of their original compositions. Recorded and sequenced examples (Standard MIDI File Format I for General MIDI instruments) are optional but encouraged. In addition, applicants must pass all three other audition areas: performance on an instrument of their choice, theory and musicianship.

Freshman Year

Music Technology Seminar
Introduction to Composition I & II
Beginning Piano for Performance Majors I & II
Computers for Musicians
Music Technology I
Introduction to Audio I & II
Musicianship I & II
Large Ensemble
Eurhythmics I & II
Core

Total

Sophomore Year

Music Technology Seminar
Composition I & II
Music Technology II & III
Audio I & II
Musicianship III & IV
Large Ensemble
Jazz Harmony-Form/Notation
Core

Total

Junior Year

Music Technology Seminar
Composition III & IV
Instrumental Conducting
Musicianship V & VI
MIDI Controller Techniques
Electronic Orchestration
Music Technology IV
Electronic Ensemble
Junior Recital
Electives
Career Perspectives in Music Tech.
Core

Total

Senior Year

Music Technology Seminar
Advanced Composition
Internship
Advanced Theory Electives
Jazz Arranging
Multimedia Elective
Electronic Ensemble
Senior Recital
Final Project
Electives
Core
B.M. in Music Technology

Total

Fall

0 credits
2 credits
2 credits
2 credits
-
2 credits
4 credits
1 credit
2 credits
3 credits

18 credits

Fall

0 credits
2 credits
2 credits
2 credits
4 credits
1 credit
2 credits
3 credits

16 credits

Fall

0 credits
2 credits
2 credits
4 credits
2 credits
-
2 credits
1 credit
-
-
2 credits
3 credits

18 credits

Fall

0 credits
2 credits
-
2 credits
2 credits
3 credits
1 credit
-
-
4 credits
3 credits
-

17 credits

Spring

0 credits
2 credits
2 credits
-
2 credits
2 credits
4 credits
1 credit
2 credits
3 credits

18 credits

Spring

0 credits
2 credits
2 credits
2 credits
4 credits
1 credit
-
3 credits

14 credits

Spring

0 credits
2 credits
-
4 credits
-
2 credits
-
1 credit
0 credits
3 credits
-
3 credits

15 credits

Spring

0 credits
2 credits
2 credits
2 credit
-
-
1 credit
1 credit
1 credit
4 credits
3 credits
0 credits

16 credits

Total degree program

132 credits

*Curriculum is subject to change.