get a dual degree... 

Something related to Music and
also Computer Science.

more marketable.

$0.02 

--- Chuckk Hubbard  wrote:

> I can tell you The University of the Arts in Philly
> is not good for this.
> 
> 
> On 11/25/05, Greg M. Johnson 
> wrote:
> >
> > My nephew is composing his own, quite competent
> tunes on the computer with
> > a keyboard.  He's thinking of going to Virginia
> Tech to study computer
> > music.   What are the best programs on the east
> coast of the US for this
> > field?  What are the degree programs actually
> called-- is it music
> > engineering, computer science, music, etc?? Any
> tips for a
> > computer-literate-teen's introduction to Csound?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > "preserving the 'american way' has nothing to do
> with christ." --Moby
> >
> > See my links at
> > http://www.geocities.com/pterandon/index.html
> >
> > ------------------------------
> > Yahoo! Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million
> songs. Try it
>
free.
> >
> 
> 
> 
> --
> "It is not when truth is dirty, but when it is
> shallow, that the lover of
> knowledge is reluctant to step into its waters."
> -Friedrich Nietzsche, "Thus Spoke Zarathustra"
> 



		
__________________________________ 
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Access over 1 million songs. Try it free. 
http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited/

The programs have various names.  Many schools offer degrees in computer music,
or music technology.  In my experience, a "computer music" degree tends to be
focused more on composition, algorithms, DSP, and related.  Music technology is
varied, but usually includes recording/studio knowledge, DAWs, multimedia/Web
apps, etc. (though of course it could be the "computer music" stuff as well). 
Some schools, like my current institution (Univ. of Texas at Austin), only
offer a degree in composition with an emphasis in electronic music.  If he's
interested in a more general music program, something like that might be good. 
Other programs that could appeal are electrical engineering (for in-depth signal
processing), or acoustics.

As for a good school, that depends mostly on what he wants to do with his
degree.  I don't mean to be discouraging, but I really wouldn't recommend a
music degree for most people.  In fact, I wouldn't recommend it unless he
really knows what he wants to do with his life, and the degree is necessary for
that.  One can always get a degree with a bit more practicality and take some
music courses as a minor/elective.  To work in music, the two most important
things are to get experience that directly applies to the desired career,
whether that be writing music, writing software, performing, or recording
bands, and to get to know the people who will give you work.  While being in a
degree program may be helpful, it's not the only way to do it.  For example, if
he wants to write film music, he needs to get to know the student filmmakers in
his area (they always need original scores).  Again, I'm not trying to be too
discouraging, but he should realize there may be better paths to what he wants
to do.

John Lato

Quoting "Greg M. Johnson" :

> My nephew is composing his own, quite competent tunes on the computer with a
> keyboard.  He's thinking of going to Virginia Tech to study computer music.  
> What are the best programs on the east coast of the US for this field?  What
> are the degree programs actually called-- is it music engineering, computer
> science, music, etc?? Any tips for a computer-literate-teen's introduction to
> Csound?