Music Emphases

Performance Emphasis

The performance emphasis prepares students for outstanding musical accomplishment through performance and/or for graduate school. Concentrations are available on any instrument, including keyboard, woodwind, guitar, brass, stringed instruments, and voice. Instruction is given by outstanding professionals in the field, including members of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Half and full recitals are the highlights of this degree.

Sound Recording Technology Emphasis

The sound recording technology emphasis prepares students for the exciting world of studio production in the music industry. This unique program is one of the few of its kind in the United States. Students compliment what they are learning in the classroom with hands-on experience in our on- and off-campus recording studios.

Sound recording technology is a popular emphasis for many music students at CCU. Classes are small so that students receive plenty of individual time to operate all functions of the recording and sound engineering process. The class atmosphere is similar to private instruction, affording each student the opportunity to obtain a working knowledge of the audio engineering field.

During their first year in the program, students receive basic training in a digital, multi-track recording studio located at the CCU Music Center. Class work and training are focused on how to use the equipment (tape deck, console, microphones and other audio devices). Students receive hands-on instruction and experience with recording and mix-down procedures, and they begin an introduction to competency in the field of recording and sound engineering. The second semester provides instruction on developing a simple recording studio, and students spend many hours gaining experience by completing recording projects.

The second year begins the advanced stage of the program. It is composed of intensive and guided hands-on experience in the subject areas introduced during the first year. Students undertake an extended series of training experiences and gain competency in digital audio. Students also receive extensive training on ProTools, currently the most popular digital system. Recording projects provide experience with 24 to 32 track digital recording. Each student will solely demonstrate ability and skill during an additional recording project that will fulfill the junior recording requirement.

The third year provides an emphasis in live sound engineering with instruction and training in electronics, troubleshooting, and simple equipment repair. Additional class time is provided to disseminate much of the knowledge experienced engineers retain in order to raise the graduating student to an expert level of engineering. Recording projects will include 24 to 32 digital tracks, and students will gain experience in mastering. Each student will solely demonstrate ability and skill during an additional recording project that will fulfill the senior recording requirement.

The second and third years of instruction are held at the instructor's commercial studio, which is located near the University, giving students the opportunity to learn in a state-of-the-art working recording studio.