Hands-on Learning with a Professional Artist
Johann Sebastian Bach's music resonates through an empty sanctuary at Plymouth Congregational Church, and Matt Riefler and Eric Romary are recording it. Matt and Eric are USF Music Technology students, working with Maestro Robert Nance to record four full-length albums of classical piano music. Maestro Nance is director of both the choir on campus and the Heartland Chamber Chorale.
Matt says he's excited to work on the project because, "Eric and I are really getting to hone in our technique as aspiring recording engineers. This music has such an elaborate, dynamic range and a lot of the pieces have to be brought to the table to make sure the puzzle will fit together in the end." Not many students get the chance to record off-site with such a professional artist and such high-tech equipment. (Download a sample of Maestro Nance's My Soul Rises as an mp3.)
USF students are able to take part in projects like this because of the excellent direction of Jeff Rodgers, Music Technology Program Director. Eric says he came into the program knowing very little about Music Technology, but the courses he has taken here have given him the knowledge and experience to create professional recordings. The small student-faculty ratio for this program (1:6) allows students to ask questions and get answers.
Jeff says he designed the program to instill versatility in his students. USF offers three separate concentrations: Recording & Production, Audio for the Creative Arts and Music Technology Sales & Marketing. The Recording & Production concentration prepares students to be audio engineers. Students take classes in advanced recording, mastering audio and studies in live sound production. Audio for the Creative Arts prepares students to work in different multimedia fields; radio, television, movie production, audio for the internet and game design. USF is the only school in the country to provide a "Technology Sales & Marketing" concentration. The program combines courses in music business, media law, sales, and marketing. This concentration is unique, partially because it was created in collaboration with industry-leader Sweetwater Sound.
Sweetwater worked closely with the university while we were developing the Music Technology program. Jeff points out the benefits of our unique relationship, "our students regularly attend Sweetwater sponsored trainings, events, and meetings. These invitation-only events have long set USF students apart from their competition. Sweetwater continues to offer scholarship and internship opportunities for our students to gain valuable studio and work experience."
Jeff invites interested students to sit-in on a class. If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment to meet with Jeff and see his classes in action, call (800) 729-4732.
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Previously Featured
- Students on Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome
- The Birthplace of an Ocean
- Serving One Another, Society, & the Church
- Our students try to give of themselves, “from head to toe.”
- Hands-on Learning with a Professional Artist
- Health and hunger: USF students give on two fronts
- USF unites local educators, students for Better Together Day of Service
- We the People