Re: [microsound] mcgill univ.'s "audition" requirement

[Owen Meyers <meyers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

i completed the mcgill undergrad music technology (honours) program.   
my instrument was classical piano, on which my proficiency was good  
enough to get me into the music department.  i was the only person to  
graduate from my class (started out with about 20 or so people in my  
year).  most people tend to downgrade to the minor in music tech, or  
switch over to sound recording.  but that was a few years ago, so  
perhaps things have changed...

the program is divided into two sections -- first you get all of the  
formal history, theory, ear training, ensemble performance and  
instrument lessons.  and then there's the music tech side, where you  
do computer science, acoustics, sound recording, digital media, and  
audio programming (max/msp, pd, supercollider, csound, etc.).

the master's program, on the other hand, is geared more towards  
computer science and electrical engineering students.  there is no  
musical instrument requirement for this degree, and you can choose to  
focus on one of the areas of music information retrieval, human- 
computer + gestural interfaces, and digital signal processing.

i would definitely recommend both programs, and montreal is by far my  
favorite canadian city.  you could also look into the concordia  
programs.  i think they have a solid electroacoustic program, as well  
as a lot of digital media courses.

best,
owen.

http://www.media.mit.edu/~meyers/

On Jan 12, 2007, at 11:23 AM, t p wrote:

> Good afternoon all,
>
> Per a previous topic to the list, I recently looked into attending  
> the undergrad music technology program at McGill University in  
> Montreal.  To my utter dismay, I was told that there was a  
> mandatory audition requirement via "a standard musical instrument"  
> tryout to be accepted into the program.
>
> Like some of you, I don't play an instrument as my work and study  
> revolves around digital manipulation, sequencing, and consequent  
> electronic production.  Needless to say, I find this requirement  
> shocking being that the university, as a whole, is a such a hub for  
> innovation and interpretation.
>
> Could anyone who has gone through this program speak on the topic a  
> bit?   I would easily understand if my aim was to study classical  
> composition, but being that it's a music tech program, I see this  
> as being a bit obtuse.
>
> For that matter, are there any similar programs within Canada that  
> may offer similar programs?  Unfortunately, I have yet to find any  
> as reputable.
>
> I'm an aging electronic contortionist looking to find a home. :-)    
> So I humbly appreciate all your feedback, and please feel free to  
> email me off the list as well.
>
> Cheers and best wishes on your goals for the rest of the day.
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Don't get soaked.  Take a quick peak at the forecast
>  with theYahoo! Search weather shortcut.


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