Bachelor of Music in audio now offered

The University of North Georgia (UNG) is offering a Bachelor of Music in audio/sound arts. It is also offering a certificate in audio recording and production arts as part of the audio/sound arts major. The certificate can also be taken as an add-on by students in a variety of other degree programs or as an independent course of study.

These opportunities are being offered at the Dahlonega Campus beginning this fall.

Students will have the opportunity to engage with a variety of recording and audio equipment, as well as software, while learning the underlying principles of audio recording and production. This, in turn, prepares them to engage with technology and production as music educators and/or musicians for entry-level positions in the field. Students will also engage with concepts surrounding live sound.

Dr. Steven Walker will lead the classes. Walker currently serves as director of percussion studies and lecturer in music technology. He is the director of the Nighthawk Jazz Band. Walker teaches percussion methods and several courses in music technology while directing the UNG Music Media Team. 

"Students are creative. They want more knowledge, so we thought we should broaden the idea of what we thought a musician could be. We wanted to create a program whereby we could not only invest in our own infrastructure, but then invest in the future student population," Walker said. "We want to give them skills and knowledge that would then make them more employable or composing in ways they're interested."

The opportunity for the degree or certification can be applied to many industries, too. 

"The addition of a concentration in audio and sound arts to our Bachelor of Music is an exciting opportunity for our students. With the growth of the film and music industry in Georgia, the need for workers who are skilled in music technology, digital streaming, sound production for live events, and other related work continues to expand. With the increased collaboration between our film, theatre, visual arts, and music departments, this was a natural addition to our academic programs," Dr. Chaudron Gille, provost, said.

Dr. Jeff Marker, director of the School of Communication, Film & Theatre, noted the applications of the new sound engineering and recording program had several employment benefits.

"It addresses a need in the arts at UNG and will enhance our opportunities to collaborate across programs. We have been talking with leadership in music to open up cross-disciplinary pathways for students and to share resources. The addition of this program is great news for all UNG arts programs," Marker said.

Dr. Benjamin Schoening, department head of music, added that the degree and certificate will allow the university to look toward other possible areas of growth and expansion in the music industry.

"Sound is so integrated into so many fields. Whether you are talking about recording music in studio or live performances, the use of live sound and sound enhancement in theatrical productions, concerts and even worship services, the way in which sound and music are integrated into film, or the use of audio and sound with YouTube, TikTok and other social media platforms, this technology is all around us and utilized more and more every day," he said.