Program Overview
The MIDI Academic Certificate is part of the Music program's participation in the college-wide "stackable credentials" initiative to create certificates that reflect student achievement even when students have not completed an entire degree program. This certificate represents the MIDI-only portion of a proposed Media Music AAS degree and represents proficiency working with electronic instruments and the MIDI-based components of music technology-based software applications (specifically digital audio workstations).
See also the Commercial Music: AAS (CTE).
Career Opportunities
Students completing the certificate program will have received training that will help to prepare them to work as a freelance composer, songwriter and/or arranger. Students may also find work in a recording studio, working as a studio musician developing MIDI-based recordings to combine with acoustic elements of digital recording. Additional freelance work may be found in the related fields of sound design/synthesis and digital audio recording engineering (although the Recording Engineering Certificate is designed to give more specialized training in the audio recording area).
What You Will Learn
- Demonstrate the ability to use MIDI based equipment to create recordings of electronic music and professional-quality mock-ups of acoustic instrumental music.
- Demonstrate the ability to work in a collaborative team environment on professional-quality music projects for both musical and non-musical clients.
- Demonstrate the development of professional quality specialization within the field of music composition and production.
- Demonstrate the appropriate entrepreneurial skills necessary for a freelance artist including but not limited to portfolio development, networking, promotion/marketing and basic business accounting.
Estimated Cost
Course fees: $80
While not required for completion of the program, any professional musician using MIDI will need to buy equipment for his own MIDI studio eventually. The estimated minimal costs for such equipment and related software is at least $3,000 (and will grow from there as they acquire more equipment over time). Ownership of this equipment as a student would be helpful to the student's success but is not required as all of the required equipment is available for use in on campus computer labs.
Note: Fees vary based upon specific registration and are subject to changes.
Career Outlook
Some careers shown require further education beyond this program.
Additional Information
Note: This Academic Certificate is not eligible for financial aid. However, courses within the certificate may be eligible if taken as part of a financial aid eligible program. Please check with the Financial Aid Office to determine if your classes are eligible.