Listen to more information about the Applied Music Technology program
The Applied Music Technology Program is a 10-month, full-time program designed to facilitate the entry of emerging musicians into the Canadian music industry. Building on the existing musical strengths of the student, the program focuses on developing musical, technical, business and performing skills in areas that are critical to success in the music industry. These include technique and overall musicality, music literacy and composition skills, music technology and computer skills and musical Entrepreneurship. The final practicum requires the students to produce a three song demo using skills learned during the program.
Career Opportunities
The music industry is a major economic engine in Nova Scotia. Witness the explosion of East Coast music in recent years and the emergence of major Canadian-born international recording artists.
Atlantic Canadian musicians, technicians, producers and publishers constitute the workforce of a thriving industry that directly employs thousands of Nova Scotians.
The music business requires highly-motivated self-starters and self-promoters. Industry leaders agree that strong musical talents and career management skills are essential for a successful career in the music industry. The music industry demands trained, qualified and experienced workers who can promote their individual talents and carve out a niche for themselves. Music career training paves the way for those wishing to get involved in the music industry and make a profitable living.
The McKenzie College Applied Music Technology Program provides students with the academic, theoretical and practical training they need to succeed in the music industry. Graduates may find employment as live performers, studio musicians, or in industry-related careers such as private teaching, song writing and arranging, management, music publishing, or promotions. Having an emphasis on popular music technology and production, the program also serves as preparation for a career in the music production and recording industry.
What Makes the Music Technology Program Unique?
Our program is exceptionally unique, offering a combination of technical, performance, musical rudiment and business skills. Students learn professional practice and performance techniques that can be applied directly as a working musician.
Students of the Applied Music Program enjoy the benefit of a year of immersive musical training. Students carry their musical skills throughout their lives and apply their abilities in a variety of ways. Our ten-month immersive program is a practical music program that concentrates on employable and marketable skills. Most of our students enter our program with an ability and talent but no formal musical training. We focus on developing musical rudiments that dramatically improves their performance and playing skills. The ability to read, write and converse in musical terms takes our students to a whole new level.
Many of our students learn to play a second instrument while attending the Music Technology program and become proficient in their new instrument by years end. Keyboarding/piano lessons are provided to all students to facilitate their rudimentary knowlege. Keyboard skills are also applicable in the composing and recording process.
Technical and recording skills form a major portion of our program as well. Students learn how to use a variety of technology, including DigiDesign Pro Tools, the worlds leading digital recording tool.
Each student is provided weekly individual and group practice sessions where their natural abilities are developed and mentored. Professional working musicians give each student personal attention and share their experiences.
Many students have taken the Applied Music program as a University preparatory program. Students develop skills in reading, writing, ear training and rythem that may prepare them for further study.
Facilities
McKenzie College uses industry standard hardware and software in our labs and facilities. The digital audio workstation lab features a 1:1 student/equipment ratio and consists of computers running all student software and a full-size MIDI keyboard. Our partnership with Soundpark Studio provides our students with access to world-class recording studio facilities.
Program Modules
Computer Fundamentals - Learn to operate the new Mac O/S X operating system, network and distribute files.
Keyboarding - Develop piano skills.
Music Theory - Learn to read and write music.
Ear Training - Master note, chord and musical interval recognition.
Applied Music Study - Individual instruction in your personal instrument.
Performance - Weekly supervised group practice sessions.
Intro to Recording - Learn the basics of audio reproduction and recording.
Recording Technology - Master Digidesign Pro Tools and the recording environment.
Digital Audio & MIDI Workstation - Digital tools have brought unprecidented power to the desktop. Learn how to master professional digital tools.
Composition and Arranging - What makes a song great? Dissect songs and learn to write your own.
Music Entrepreneurship - Dive inside the business side of the music industry.
Recording Practicum - Record your three song demo CD.
Entrance Requirements
Applicants must possess a minimum high school diploma or equivalent and display basic musical proficency
of a thriving industry that directly employs thousands of Nova Scotians.
they need to succeed in the music industry. Graduates may find employment as live performers, studio musicians, or in industry-related careers such as private teaching, song writing and arranging, management, music publishing, or promotions. Having an emphasis on popular music technology and production, the program also serves as preparation for a career in the music production and recording industry.
Students of the Applied Music Program enjoy the benefit of a year of immersive musical training. Students carry their musical skills throughout their lives and apply their abilities in a variety of ways. Our ten-month immersive program is a practical music program that concentrates on employable and marketable skills. Most of our students enter our program with an ability and talent but no formal musical training. We focus on developing musical rudiments that dramatically improves their performance and playing skills. The ability to read, write and converse in musical terms takes our students to a whole new level.
Technical and recording skills form a major portion of our program as well. Students learn how to use a variety of technology, including DigiDesign Pro Tools, the worlds leading digital recording tool.
students with access to world-class recording studio facilities.