Music Technology (AS, BS)

Why USF for Music Technology?

When the lights go down and the meters start jumping, USF grads are behind the consoles, bringing a show or recording to life.

Our music tech program equips you for today’s fast-paced, collaborative work environment. That’s why you’ll begin to learn your way around a commercial studio from your first semester. With five unique concentrations covering a wide range of the industry, this major is fitting for musicians of all levels and non-musicians alike.

At USF, you will benefit from the knowledge, mentorship and connections of a multitalented faculty; you will learn, practice and create in topline facilities; and you will engage with the campus and Fort Wayne communities through projects, performances and productions.

Hear why our students love being part of the USF music tech family:

Personalize Your Path

Our music technology major offers a solid foundation in music theory, ear training and piano skills — and from there, with the guidance of your academic advisor, you can choose up to three concentrations, including:

Recording, Engineering and Production

Produce music from different genres and styles, discover how to capture the best performance from your talent and develop other skills useful in producer or master engineer positions.

Music Industry

Explore the business side of the music world through both a record label and touring lens. You’ll explore copyright, royalties, event production, promotion and management.

Post Production and Sound Design

From scoring movies and video games to designing sound for a sitcom or documentary, this concentration introduces you to the art and technology of all things post-production.

Live Sound and Event Production

It’s fast-paced, it’s real-time and it’s exciting! Gain skills and experience you need to provide crisp and quality sound for concerts, festivals, houses of worships, broadcasts and other live events.

Contemporary Artist Development and Musicianship

Designed with professional artistic development in mind, this concentration helps you hone your craft, improve your production skills and develop your brand.

Spaces and Faces: Our Faculty & Facilities

At USF, you will benefit from the knowledge, mentorship and connections of a multitalented faculty and you will learn and create in state-of-the-art facilities.

Our Faculty

Our music tech program faculty is composed of composers, performers and audio production professionals with extensive ties to the music industry, including:

• Mark Everetts, assistant professor and studio manager, operated Nashville-based FunkyLoft Music Production, where he produced/engineered projects for artists in a variety of genres. He has performed/engineered music for film and TV commercials, and has worked on stage and in the studio as a drummer for various artists around the country.
• Miles Fulwider (Tonmeister), our program director, works as a producer and recording engineer for many GRAMMY and Emmy award winning artists and major labels.  Such artists include Wynton Marsalis, Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, Chick Corea, dUg Pinnick (King’s X), Grinder Blues, Jon Batiste, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, XM/Sirius Satellite Radio, and several film scores including scores for the American documentary film maker Ken Burns. He’s also a voting member of the Recording Academy that selects GRAMMY-award winners and regularly works in post-production, sound design, and immersive audio formats.
• Phil Schurger, director of our jazz, electronic music, and guitar ensembles, is a renowned composer and guitarist who has shared the stage with artists such as Fareed Haque, Greg Ward, the Wailers, Bolokada Cande and others. His work has been released on the Chicago-based Ears&Eyes record label, and his album Echoes of the Ancestors was featured in Jazziz magazine.

Our Music Technology Center

In 2018 we unveiled the USF Music Technology Center in downtown Fort Wayne. Equipped with top-of-the-line equipment, this first-rate facility houses classrooms, individual and ensemble practice spaces, recording studios, mixing suites, a piano lab and a master studio. And you will have 24-7 access to it all!

The music tech center also features a 2,000-seat auditorium, which hosts a variety of university, regional, and national acts each year. This venue serves as a lab of sorts: you can learn how to become a sound engineer in real-time during rehearsals and live performances!

Hands-On Learning: Projects & Productions

Music Technology is a hands-on major through and through. In addition to the everyday classroom and studio work, you’ll have a chance to get involved with special projects and productions.

Marble Lounge Records

Marble Lounge Records is USF’s student-run record label, and it’s the real deal. Formed in 2017, Marble Lounge produced its first album in June, 2018: Legend or Myth by Rosalind & the Way.

Students did it all, from selecting the artist to recording, engineering and marketing the album.  Students also had the opportunity to work with industry renown producer, Rob Mathes, who mentored students in producing the album’s single.

Service-Learning

Our students often bring their talents to service-learning and community-oriented projects. In 2018, music tech majors collaborated with art and communication students on “Sensing Beauty: A Multi-Sensory Art Experience.” Part of a USF Student Exhibition at Garrett Museum of Art, this show was a service-learning partnership between the League for the Blind and Disabled, Inc. and USF. This student-led art exhibit challenged the viewer’s perception of beauty and art. Students interviewed League consumers – people living without sight – “What does beauty mean to you?” The resulting stories were turned into a photography art exhibit that encourages viewers to experience beauty with all of their senses. Works could be seen, heard, smelled, tasted and felt.

Campus and Community Involvement

You’ll find many ways to get involved at USF, including cross-department podcast projects, campus performances, running sound for our school’s beloved Jesters group, and plenty of student clubs. Plus, you can play or sing along with one of our music groups:

• Electronic Music Ensemble
• Guitar Ensemble
• Jazz Ensemble
• University Singers

You’ll also have opportunities to serve others musically through campus and peer ministries.

What You Can Do With a Degree in Music Technology?

The booming audio industry needs passionate, skilled and talented people in all areas and at all levels. Maybe you want to become a sound engineer, or maybe one of these other positions sound good to you:

• Foley artist
• Board operator
• Live sound engineer
• Music producer
• Composer
• Recording engineer
• Sound designer
• Music promoter
• Venue manager
• Events planner
• Audiobook producer
• Sales engineer for recording tech
• Commercial/advertising audio producer
• Sound editor

Where You’ll Find Our Graduates

Graduates from our music tech program are creating, performing, promoting and designing at companies, labels, venues and organizations around the country. Here are a few places you’ll find USF alumni:

• Cyclone Social
• Fusion Media
• Heartland Sings
• Northeast Indiana Public Radio
• Saddleback Church
• Smile Direct Club
• St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
• Sweetwater Sound
• Vans
• Warner Music Nashville

The job will go to the individual with the experience and the knowhow to get the job done. USF’s music tech program allowed me to have 24/7 access to the tools and atmosphere that enabled me to walk into gigs and know how get the job done.  World class facilities plus their empowering faculty drove my ambition and has been the backbone to a very successful 12-year background in the industry thus far.

TJ Bechill, ‘11
Twenty One Pilots, Post Malone, Ariana Grande, Judah and The Lion