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PSC Offers New Music Production Degree


Chicago Heights, IL–(ENEWSPF)– Prairie State College (PSC) now offers a new Music Production and Technology program to prepare students for a career in the music and sound industry. PSC is the first community college in the area to offer this program. Two options are available, an A.A.S. in Music Production and a certificate in Music Technology.

“Work that formerly required specialized and costly studio settings and equipment now can be produced using a computer and music production software,” said Valerie Nicholson, professor of music. “Independent studios and producers are flourishing, and the Internet makes it possible to distribute the music worldwide.”

The A.A.S. in Music Production prepares students for employment as independent composers/producers, sound producers for animation or video games, interactive Web site designers, and business entrepreneurs in music and audio-related fields. Internships in the music production industry are offered to students pursuing the degree.

The certificate in Music Technology prepares students to work as assistants and technicians in the music industry. The program provides a technical understanding of acoustics and audio devices. It also provides hands-on experience in design, set-up, and operation of technical systems, live sound, and audio visual presentations.

One of the core courses of the program is Music in Film and Television (MUSIC 172). This course explores the uses of music in film and television and provides an overview of the industry. The course will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m., beginning June 9. Composer Kirsten Broberg is the instructor for the course. Broberg’s compositions have been performed internationally. She is completing the doctoral program at Northwestern University.

With the wide range of courses offered in this program, students gain a strong background in the music industry, giving them the resources they need to be employed as freelancers in a variety of situations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is an expected growth of 18 percent nationally through 2014 and 12 percent in Illinois through 2012 for careers in music production.

For more information about the new music production program, contact Nicholson at [email protected].

Second session summer classes begin June 9. Fall classes begin Aug. 25. Registration is ongoing until classes begin. All new students must register in person. Registration hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Continuing students may register online at prairiestate.edu or in person. Course listings are available on PSC’s Web site through the WebAdvisor link on the homepage. Print versions of the summer and fall schedules are available on campus. For more information about registering for courses, contact the Counseling & Academic Advising Center at (708) 709-3506.


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