Music Technology Program

Music technology student

Welcome to the Music Technology Program at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music!

Offering both degree and certificate options, we help musicians hone their skills in music production, audio recording, digital composition and more–crucial skills in today’s evolving music industry. 

Featuring state-of-the-art computing labs, access to multimedia facilities in  (including the Black Box Theater), access to a full-time staff of recording engineers and technology coordinators and access to a large suite of music applications, our Music Technology Program offers students unprecedented access to the best technical resources and collaborative opportunities. 

In addition to exclusively electro-acoustic performance opportunities, hundreds of College of Music performances integrate electronics and music technology. Performances often bring together undergraduate, graduate and faculty performers, as well as technical consultants and collaborators from across campus and surrounding communities. These performances are championed by CU Boulder SoundWorks, the Interdisciplinary Performance Group, the Boulder Laptop Orchestra (BLOrk) and the Physical Computing Lab, as well as faculty and students who produce entire multimedia shows from scratch.

Performances often bring together undergraduate, graduate and faculty performers as well as technical consultants and collaborators from across campus and surrounding communities.

Contact

John Drumheller
Teaching Professor, Composition + Music Technology
drumhell@colorado.edu
, N1B28B

Kevin Harbison
Recording Engineer 
Instructor, Music Technology 
kevin.harbison@colorado.edu 
, S218 

Academic offerings

Achieve a broad understanding of music history, music theory, music and media in culture and the core liberal arts curriculum—while developing your technical skills.  

Participate in multidisciplinary recording and production projects and even complete an internship in the music industry.  

Coursework ranges from an introductory survey of music software and hardware to in-depth studies of DSP, synthesis, algorithmic composition, recording and post-production techniques, film scoring and many other topics.

Software used in Music Production classes includes Logic Pro, ProTools, Abelton Live, Finale, Lilypond, MAX, PD, SuperCollider, CSound, Final Cut Pro, Audacity, SoundHack and Spear. 

A personal statement, portfolio and interview are required for admission. Learn how to apply on the Auditions + program requirements page—the future of music includes you! 

This 19-credit program is available to music majors and non-majors alike and is extremely popular on campus.

Customize your degree with additional coursework in music production, recording, songwriting, film scoring and more. Pairs exceptionally well with music, business, computer science, or communications degrees.

No portfolio or interview are required. Learn how to get started on the Certificates page. 

Academic Technology Consultants (ATC) assist faculty and teaching assistants in integrating technologies into their teaching, research and creative work. The consultants are assigned to the various schools and colleges and are located in the areas they support. They are centrally managed by ITS, locally positioned within the Imig building and jointly commissioned by ITS and the College of Music.

The consultants typically support their faculty through training classes, one-on-one consulting, helping with the development and implementation of projects involving technology and acting as liaisons between the faculty and other units of ITS. All of these services are provided free of charge.