What you will study
Students focusing primarily on music technology receive a comprehensive education
in audio engineering, music production and sonic creativity, including performing
and composing in technology-based formats. Meanwhile, students focusing on jazz composition
and commercial music gain a background in all aspects of jazz-commercial music, founded
on the harmonic language of the Bebop era and going on to avant-garde, hip-hop and
more. Students are free to choose courses from both sides of the option.
UCM’s program curriculum has attracted national and international recognition among
colleges with Music Technology and Commercial Music majors. Some classes you may take
include:
- Digital Audio Production: In pursuit of your music production degree, you’ll use industry-standard software
and hardware to master the complete audio production process, from recording and editing
to mixing and mastering.
- Electronic Music Production Techniques: Apply tools such as MIDI, synths, samplers, loops and more to create hip-hop, dance,
ambient or your own new electronic music.
- Music Business Practices: Build your brand with web design, social media and other essentials such as copyright,
performance rights and client management.
- Jazz-Commercial Arranging: Master the harmonic language underneath jazz composition and commercial music and
learn to craft catchy, compelling arrangements.
Nationally Ranked
- Top 15%: Best Value Bachelor's Degree Colleges for General Music (College Factual, 2022)
- A Most Focused College for General Music (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 9%: Most Popular Colleges for General Music (College Factual, 2023)
- Top 15%: Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for General Music (College Factual, 2023)
Unique learning opportunities in Music Technology and Commercial Music
UCM’s Music Technology and Commercial Music degree provides extensive opportunities
for real-world experience. Nearly every Music Technology class involves creating and
producing works hands-on to ensure you don’t just get a music business and music production
degree – you get resume-worthy experience too.
- Internships: Students have interned in Paris, London and around the United States at recording
and film studios, audio/visual installation companies and other industry hubs. You’ll
build real-world experience that can lead to job offers and enduring industry connections.
- Music technology seminar: A music production degree from UCM grants you industry-ready experience. Capstone
projects for UCM Music majors in technology allow you to pursue your interests and
build your professional portfolio. Students have produced and released EPs, custom-designed
sound for video games and designed large-scale PA systems, among other creative and
career-focused projects.
- Working with guest artists: Industry representatives from various music technology companies frequently visit
campus to interact with students. Regional and national touring musicians offer clinics
and perform concerts with UCM jazz ensembles. You’ll rehearse their music and perform
a concert with them, and interact directly in small clinic settings. These opportunities
help you learn to interpret and present a composer’s music while interacting professionally
with working musicians.
- Recording experience: Each semester, students in UCM Jazz Ensembles work with Music Technology and Commercial
Music students in our state-of-the-art recording studios. Learn how to prepare for
and get the most out of sessions, including logistical setups such as microphone placement
and track editing. Then collaborate with peers during recording sessions in a professional
studio.
- Performing on and off campus: Students are encouraged to book gigs at regional venues to get on-stage experience
as performers and arrangers. You may include original works in your UCM junior and
senior year recitals as a student composer. After the Jazz-Commercial Arranging class,
you’ll experience an exciting live performance of your final project on campus or
at locations such as the Kauffman Center of Performing Arts in Kansas City.
What can you do with a degree in Music Technology and Commercial Music from UCM?
UCM alumni focused on music technology are working in some of the world’s most renowned
recording and mastering studios, as well as live event companies producing major international
tours for commercial artists. Others have joined or led the audio teams of major corporations,
churches, theaters and concert venues.
UCM alumni focused on jazz and commercial music play music at events, clubs and other
venues in Kansas City and St. Louis, across the United States and throughout the world.
Many students teach privately, earn their teaching certification or continue their
studies in jazz composition and commercial music at the graduate level. You can also
pursue other career opportunities, such as working for arts-related nonprofit organizations
or corporations, military bands, cruise lines and live event producers.
Where might a music technology and commercial music degree take you?
Use the interactive tool below to learn more about exciting careers, earning potential
and job growth.
Financial assistance options for your Music Technology and Commercial Music degree
The University of Central Missouri offers a variety of resources for financing your undergraduate education to help keep your college costs and student debt low.
Beyond general scholarships and awards available through the university, numerous
scholarships are available specifically for Music Technology and Commercial Music
students, including:
- Music merit scholarships
- Music Alumni Foundation scholarships
- Music service awards
- Presidential all-state music scholarships
As a Music Technology and Commercial Music, you may also qualify for UCM service awards.
These are given in recognition of service to the University of Central Missouri, such
as playing in the marching band, the Service Jazz Combo or Service String Quartet
or tutoring students in music theory.
Learn more about program-specific scholarships by using the .
Engage in student groups and organizations
UCM’s student chapter of the Audio Engineering Society hosts field trips and runs
sound for regional venues and events. The New Technologies Ensemble selects living
composers’ pieces to perform on technology-based instruments. UCM has many performance
ensembles for voice and traditional instruments in various styles. These opportunities
provide a foundation to collaborate and network with peers from UCM and other Music
Technology and Commercial Music colleges.
24/7 access to one of the Midwest’s premier recording spaces
UCM’s Music Technology Studios include sonically isolated control rooms, vocal booths,
drum and ensemble rooms, three recording studios and project studios all at your fingertips.
Music majors in Technology also use:
- Industry-standard hardware and software
- A dedicated area for hardware repair and building
- Live event facilities and equipment
Meet Tyler M.
BM Music Technology ’11 - COO, Harvest Productions Inc.
“HMXLive specializes in providing audio, lighting and video services for live events,
and many of our employees are UCM Music Technology graduates. UCM has been one of
our main sources of entry-level talent for many years. There is an even greater demand
than ever for skilled workers in the Live Event industry — and a shortage of talent
to meet these demands.”
Meet Our Faculty
Internationally acclaimed industry professionals
Study with Ph.D.-level professors who perform worldwide and are recognized leaders
and researchers in music technology. Their industry experience includes working as
producers, composers, recording artists and audio engineers. Their scholarly and creative
works are regularly featured at international festivals and conferences.
Meet Our Faculty
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