School of Music

The Media Music degree at BYU is for students who aspire to be music makers or behind-the-scenes professionals, creating and managing music for radio, television, records, and film.

While there are many ways to study sound recording, at BYU we have chosen to embed the study of audio within the School of Music. Our goal is to identify and train musicians with a passion for sound. Thus, in addition to "major-specific" Sound Recording and digital editing courses, BYU recording majors also take music core classes such as music theory, music history, private performance instruction, and participate in large ensembles.

Students who major in Media Music learn to create music for "the media," or in other words radio, television, records, and film. "It all starts with a song," goes an old adage, and so the foundation class in Media Music is the songwriting class, Music 186. Major students then move through a series of required classes and selected electives preparing them for career opportunities. Some aspire to be media composers, arrangers, songwriters, etc. Others find key positions elsewhere in the music industry. Armed with degrees in Media Music, most students enter their careers immediately after completing their undergraduate studies. Some, however, continue on to postgraduate work, seeking advanced degrees in media-related subjects or pursuing related degrees such as a law or MBA degree to further prepare for media-related careers with a slant toward the world of business.

While at BYU, Media Music students have access to a midi project studio housed in the Richards Building, where they create song demos, midi film cues, scores, etc. Scoring student films, positions as teaching assistants, and internships on and off campus are examples of work-related opportunities that can often be part of the campus experience. Media Music majors also have opportunities to showcase original songs in connection with required coursework.

Media Music students who select electives in sound recording also obtain limited access to Studio Y, a larger recording facility dedicated to student projects.

• Major Outline

Our mission is to identify and train those who desire to become values-driven professionals in the commercial world of music. We see our role as follows:

To add rigorous musical and liberal arts training to the god-given talents of students who aspire to be media composers, songwriters, arrangers, music publishers, and other musical professionals, and to promote the values of the unique BYU experience as they build careers of influence in the media and the music industry.

Ron Saltmarsh

Clive Romney

Dave Zimmerman

Dave Zimmerman began his career at Tuacahn Center for the arts, where he was the audio engineer for a season containing over 100 shows. In August 2006 he opened his own Noisebox Studios in Orem, Utah, a popular studio where he records and produces bands and solo artists. He also works regularly as a freelance engineer at top-tier Studios such as Soularium and June Audio, recording some of the region's top musicians. Dave is a drummer/percussionist and a graduate of BYU with a degree in media music. At BYU he teaches in the synthesizer studio and assists students with music production and recording projects.

Education:
Brigham Young University BM in Media Music 2004

Courses Taught:
MUS 160R, 260R, 360R Synthesizer

Merrill Jenson

Download as PDF

Students who major in Media Music learn to create music for "the media," or, in other words, radio, television, records, and film. "It all starts with a song," goes an old adage, and so the foundation class in Media Music is the songwriting class, Music 186. Major students them move through a series of required classes and selected electives preparing them for career opportunities. Some aspire to be media composers, arrangers, songwriters, etc. Others find key positions elsewhere in the music industry. Armed with degrees in Media Music, most students enter their careers immediately after completing their undergraduate studies. Some, however, continue on to postgraduate work, seeking advanced degrees in media-related subjects or pursuing related degrees such as law or MBA degrees to further prepare for media-related careers with a slant towards the world of business.

While at BYU, Media Music students have access to a midi project studio housed in the Richards Building, where they create song demos, midi film cues, scores, etc. Scoring student films, positions as teaching assistants, and internships on and off campus are examples of work-related opportunities that can often be part of the campus experience. Media Music majors also have opportunities to showcase original songs in connection wth required coursework.

Media Music students who select electives in sound recording also obtain limited access to Studio Y, a larger recording facility dedicated to student projects.

Admission Application & Audition Dates, Fall Semester 2012

Click here to apply.

Questions? E-mail us at music@byu.edu or call the School of Music at 801-422-8903.

Admission to the Program

1. The Audition

   Every student applying to the school of music—regardless of the intended major within the School of Music—must audition in some performance specialty: voice or an instrument. The audition is a big factor in gaining acceptance to the School of Music. Contemporary singers intending to majoir in Media Music have one additional audition option: the media voice studio. Contemporary singers who audition often include students who may also play one or two instruments. Students are cautioned thet media voice studio openings are few, usually under ten slots in any given year. Students who have more than one performance specialty are encouraged to audition for as many studios as possible. Once accepted by a performance studio, the requirements in Media Music include four semesters of private instruction, usually taken during the first two years at BYU. (Note: in rare cases private studio instruction is also given to Media Music majors in synthesizer. Please contact rbmusic@byu.edu for details.)

2. Media Music applicants must also submit a media portfolio directly to Ron Simpson showing original work. This submission is separate from the auditions and helps assess aptitude for the Media Music major.

   Select material that you would use to market yourself to the program. Ideally, a portfolio would consist of three recorded examples of your best original work. If you do not have recordings, include other evidence of your creative work such as lyrics, scores, arrangements, etc. The portfolio may be brought in person or mailed to

   Ron Simpson
   Media Music and Sound Recording Division Coordinator
   1128 Richards Buidling
   Brigham Young University
   Provo, Utah 84602-2018

3. Transferring to Media Music from within the School of Music

   When a student who is already a music major at BYU desires to transfer into the Sound Recording Technology major, then the following prerequisites must be completed: pass the first-year theory block, pass the second-semester private instruction juries, complete at least one semester of an approved large ensemble, take Music 186: Songwriting, the foundation class for Media Music with grades and in-class performances strong enough to secure the nomination of the teacher in the Media Music program. In many cases projects done in Music 186 will be considered the equivalent of the required portfolio. In other cases portfolio materials may be requested. These lateral moves are administered by Dr. Mark Ammons in the School of Music, and prerequisites include a consultation with Mr. Simpson, the division coordinator.

4. Transferring to Media Music from another institution

   The requirements are essentially the same as for new students. Heather Severson, music adviser, heather_severson@byu.edu, should be consulted in cases where credits may be transferable to BYU from another institution.

Students with questions not explained above may contact Ron Simpson (801-422-2563) or email ron_saltmarsh@byu.edu. Students having a strong desire to enter this degree program who have not been accepted into the School of Music based on entrance auditions are sometimes successful auditioning in a subsequent year. Mr. Simpson or his assistant may have case-by-case suggestions, such as taking additional private study on their major instrument (Music 160R), performing in an ensemble, and taking General education courses while preparing to audition again.

Step-by Step Process

Media Voice Information

A Bachelor of Music degree in Sound Recording Technology is designed primarily for the student who has considerable talent and interest both in music and in recording theory and technology. Students majoring in sound recording technology prepare for engineering opportunities in the recording industry as well as in related fields such as broadcasting and video sweetening. This degree gives students theoretical and practical experience in the recording of music in an acoustical environment and also includes coursework in the digital recording and digital editing procedures that characterize the recording field today. The program combines rigorous grounding in traditional music subjects with pre-professional course work and project experiences in recording.

• Major Outline

Our mission is to identify and train those who desire to become values-driven professionals in the world of audio, those who will become the musically literate sound engineers of tomorrow. Our mission is to provide a learning and mentoring environment for a unique minority of recording engineers: those who desire training not only in the technologies of today but also in the principles and practice of serious as well as commercial music. We believe this training, coupled with the liberal arts and religious dimensions of BYU, will place our sound recording graduates in a position to excel.

Ron Saltmarsh

Jon Holloman

Jon Holloman has been a recording engineer and producer for 38 years and is currently the technical producer for the BYU School of Music. During his years in the entertainment industry, he has worked with many well known artists in the music business, film, and television. He is a published composer and arranger and his engineering work has been twice nominated for the Grammy Award. He recently retired from the 2nd tenor section of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Bart Schaerrer

Richard Duke

Dave Zimmerman

Dave Zimmerman began his career at Tuacahn Center for the arts, where he was the audio engineer for a season containing over 100 shows. In August 2006 he opened his own Noisebox Studios in Orem, Utah, a popular studio where he records and produces bands and solo artists. He also works regularly as a freelance engineer at top-tier Studios such as Soularium and June Audio, recording some of the region's top musicians. Dave is a drummer/percussionist and a graduate of BYU with a degree in media music. At BYU he teaches in the synthesizer studio and assists students with music production and recording projects.

Education:
Brigham Young University BM in Media Music 2004

Courses Taught:
MUS 160R, 260R, 360R Synthesizer

Download as PDF

A Bachelor of Music degree in Sound Recording Technology is designed primarily for the student who has considerable talent and interest both in music and in recording theory and technology. Students majoring in Sound Recording Technology prepare for engineering opportunities in the recording industry as well as in related fields such as broadcasting and video sweetening. This degree gives students theoretical and practical experience in the recording of music in an acoustical environment and also includes coursework in the digital recording and digital editing procedures that characterize the recording field today. The program combines rigorous grounding in traditional music subjects with pre-professional course work and project experiences in recording.

Admission Application & Audition Dates, Fall Semester 2012

Click here to apply.

Questions? E-mail us at rbmusic@byu.edu or call the Richards Building Music Office at 801-422-2563.

Admission to the Program

1. The Audition

   Every student applying to the school of music—regardless of the intended major within the School of Music—must audition in some performance specialty: voice or an instrument. The audition is a big factor in gaining acceptance to the School of Music. Contemporary singers intending to major in Sound Recording Technology have one additional audition option: the media voice studio. Contemporary singers who audition often include students who may also play one or two instruments. Students are cautioned that media voice studio openings are few, usually under ten slots in any given year. Students who have more than one performance specialty are encouraged to audition for as many studios as possible. Once accepted by a performance studio, the requirements in Sound Recording Technology include four semesters of private instruction, usually taken during the first two years at BYU. (Note: in rare cases private studio instruction is also given to Sound Recording Technology majors in synthesizer. Please contact rbmusic@byu.edu for details.)

2. Sound Recording Technology applicants must also submit a résumé and statement of interest directly to Ron Simpson. Since applicants exceed the available slots, we ask for a résumé and statement of interest from each applicant. This is your chance to sell yourself. Tell us such things as how your interest in this field was born, how you would apply the degree in a career, etc. If an applicant has examples of recordings he or she has made, then two or three examples may be included. Résumé and statements of interest may be emailed to ron_saltmarsh@byu.edu, faxed to 801- 422-0534, or mailed to:

Ron Saltmarsh
Sound Recording Technology Division Coordinator
1128 Richards Building
Brigham Young University
Provo, Utah 84602-2018

1. Transferring to Sound Recording from within the School of Music When a student who is already a music major at BYU desires to transfer into the Sound Recording Technology major, then the following prerequisites must be completed: pass the first year theory block, pass the second-semester private instruction juries, complete at least one semester of an approved large ensemble, take Music 251 and 252, with grades and in-class performance strong enough to secure the nomination of the teacher into the Sound Recording major. These lateral moves are administered by Dr. Mark Ammons in the School of Music and prerequisites include a consultation with Mr. Simpson, the division coordinator.
2. Transferring to Sound Recording from another institution The requirements are essentially the same as those for new students. Heather Severson, music advisor, heather_severson@byu.edu, should be consulted in cases where music credits may be transferable to BYU from another institution.

Students with questions not explained above may contact Ron Simpson (801-422-2563) or email ron_saltmarsh@byu.edu. Students having a strong desire to enter this degree program who have not been accepted into the School of Music based on the entrance audition are sometimes successful auditioning in a subsequent year. Mr. Simpson or his assistants may have case-by-case suggestions such as taking additional private study on their major instrument (Music 160R), performing in an ensemble, and taking General Education courses while preparing to audition again.

Step-by Step Process

Media Voice Information

Some of the benefits of studying in the Media Music and Sound Recording Division in the School of Music at BYU are not always obvious to the student at the beginning of coursework. As time goes on, however, the following kinds of opportunities become apparent:

Scholarships

The Media Music and Sound Recording Division is blessed with an endowment from the late Merlin and Edna Sant, which provides several scholarships each year for deserving, high-achieving students. In very rare instances, scholarships are granted on entrance. As a rule, however, they are awarded in the upper division years, when the academic, pre-professional, and collaborative characteristics of each student are more apparent. A short, informal application should be submitted to the division coordinator at the beginning of each Fall and Winter semester.

Additional scholarships based on need, talent, or upon academic prowess are also sometimes available through the School of Music or other university sources.

Assistantships

Each year several upper division students receive the opportunity to serve as teaching assistants (or engineer assistants) in the division's recording studios or in the classroom. Others are invited to help with the recording of on-campus concerts and recitals. As with scholarships, these invitations typically go to upper division students who can run sessions independently, who have proven themselves to be academically sound, and who also possess leadership and other pre-professional characteristics. These are particularly significant opportunities, resulting in résumé line items upon graduation.

Work Opportunities

In addition to the opportunities mentioned above, part-time jobs related to Sound Recording or Media Music can sometimes be found elsewhere on or off campus. Though not highly publicized, Utah is a music making community featuring quite a few well-equipped studios and many opportunities for the capable, highly-motivated student. Internships and part-time work can sometimes be secured at BYU Broadcasting or at nearby commercial studios.

Students should be proactive in networking while seeking these opportunities. The same skills will likely be called upon in procuring career employment.

Internships

Internships are required at a specific point in both the Media Music and the Sound Recording Technology programs. These can be performed on or off campus. The Media Music and Sound Recording Division office attempts to stay aware of internship opportunities, and students are also advised to be alert to such opportunities that may exist in their home markets or in the music centers such as Los Angeles, Nashville, or New York.

See the Music 399R Information Sheet for detailed instructions on internships.

Student Film Projects, etc.

Occasionally, students are invited to participate as recording engineers, composers, or sound designers on student films, television documentaries, mainstage musicals, and other media projects. Chances to work on these projects are more likely to be available in the student's junior or senior years, when their skillsets are nearing professional levels. Extra-curricular projects undertaken as students can sometimes lead to career paths or unexpected employment avenues.