Program Website

Stetson University offers two degrees combining music with emerging technologies for artistic expression. Students in both degrees participate in the Digital Arts program, which offers courses in music production, sound synthesis and audio processing, but also allows them to explore electives in net art, 3D animation, computer programming, and digital video. This interdisciplinary approach encourages students to develop a broad set of skills for a rapidly evolving field of digital media.

The Bachelor of Music in Music Technologyintegrates music performance (voice, orchestral instruments, piano, organ, guitar) with studies in digital music and audio production. A combination of traditional music study with focused courses on composing, recording and performing music with technology, it is an option for all students accepted into the School of Music. Applicants who wish to pursue the BM must complete a School of Music audition and be accepted for study as a music major.

The Bachelor of Arts in Digital Arts / Soundemphasizes studio production and advanced digital audio techniques. It combines a liberal arts education with the study of digital music through similar coursework to our Bachelor of Music option. However, the liberal arts context provides greater flexibility for students to combine their major with relevant minors such as General Business, Computer Science or Theater. Applicants who wish to pursue the BA do not have to complete a School of Music audition.

Students with other majors in the School of Music (performance, music education or theory/composition) may also choose a Digital Arts minor, allowing them to enhance their studies with music technology experience. The minor is also an option for students pursuing BA, BS or BBA degrees.

Special Features

The Digital Arts Recording Studio contains a digital audio workstation capable of recording 10 audio channels simultaneously and mixing projects for 5.1 surround sound. The workstation is complemented by a 10-foot by 12-foot isolation booth that provides a quiet space for audio recording. A variety of synthesizers, samplers, outboard effects, MIDI controllers and recording hardware is also available. Our professional software includes Logic, Max/MSP/Jitter, ProTools and Reaktor.

The Digital Arts Lab is equipped with 20 MacPro workstations running professional software for students to complete multimedia projects, including ProTools, Max/MSP/Jitter, Reaktor, Final Cut Studio and Adobe Creative Suite.

Course Information

Our music- and sound-focused Digital Arts courses include Audio Recording and Production 1 & 2, Sound and Image, Computer Music 1 & 2, and Scoring for Multimedia. 

Students pursuing either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Music must register for Music Technology Seminar every semester they are in residence. This course is a weekly forum for students to present their work before a gathering of peers for critique and feedback.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts must complete a Senior Project in Digital Arts, the culmination of advanced study toward the completion of a large-scale project.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Music are required to participate in an ensemble each semester of residency. This degree requires completion of a 25-minute applied Junior Applied Recital and a 50-minute technology Senior Technology Recital.

Career Opportunities

Digital Arts prepares students for careers as professional artists, performers, and programmers working with new media. Many of our graduates are successful artists, entrepreneurs and educators. A sampling of recent graduates includes:

• Megan England Ward, 2008, completed her MM in Composition and Computer Technologies at the University of Virginia.
• Joseph Trupiano, 2004, completed M.M. in Music Technology at New York University and founded of Sample Logic LLC
• Patrice Scanlon, 2001, completed M.F.A. in Electronic Music at Mills College and is now Intermedia Arts Technical Director at Mills College and Audio Post Production Lab Instructor for Ex'pression College for Digital Arts
• Gerard K Marino, 1998 (DA minor), award-winning composer for video games and film whose credits include God of War I and II and six feature films

Contact:
Nathan Wolek
822-8987
nwolek@stetson.edu