Going into the music world

There are many different options that schools offer to give you the knowledge of digital media that is used in the within the music industry. Here is a list of some of the local schools here in Chicago that offer audio programs.
Chicago Recording Connection Audio School, this school places their students inside a Chicago recording studio. The student works as an apprentice in the studio where they learn audio engineering, music producing, mixing or live audio. "The RECORDING CONNECTION advantage is our mentor-apprentice approach." (Recording Connection Audio Institute. Sallie Mae. 2013. Web.)

Tribeca Flashpoint Academy is located downtown Chicago, just like the Recording Connection, this is a part college, part industry apprenticeship that offers hands-on programs. Below is a tour of what goes on at Tribeca. At the 6:00 minute mark the President & CEO, Howard A. Tullman will take you to the sixth floor where the sound labs are located.

 As a majority of my blog followers, we attend The Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago. Here you will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Audio Production. The program here teaches students concepts and technical skills that are used in the field of audio engineering. The instructors show students the equipment used to record, edit and master audio projects. The students will get hands-on training with industry related equipment and technology. Some of the course topics include music theory, electronics, recording techniques and live sound. Other courses will focus on the business side of the music industry such as Survey of the Music Industry, Marketing and Management and Media Delivery. For anyone interested in attending this school somewhere other than Chicago, The Art Institute has campuses across the country.

And for those who would choose (as some call it our rival school) Columbia College, located in the south loop on Michigan Ave. across from Lollapalooza's playground, Grant Park. Do me a favor and don't let anyone confuse this college with one of the most Ivy League schools in the U.S. Columbia University, Columbia College doesn't even compare. They offer their expertise for undergraduate students in live and recorded sound design, engineering, production, design and management of audio installations and vibration/noise measurement and control. "The Audio Arts + Acoustics Department provides students with the knowledge skills, and artistic sensibility necessary to systematically and expertly control sound and sound structures." (Columbia College Chicago. National Highway Institute. 2013. Web.) Other programs include Classical Guitar and an advanced degree in Music Composition for the Screen.

Now just because all these institutes are out there to advanced you into a higher education, not all musicians and people within the music industry attend some type of college or university. Some people were self taught. I had spoken with an individual whom taught himself how to play guitar at the young age of 9. I spoke to this gentleman just yesterday on how he got started into music. Let's call him, Duane.
Duane: "I remember asking my music teacher if I could play guitar in jazz band and she told me, "There are no guitar players in jazz."
Me: "What grade was this?"
Duane: "I don't remember what grade but I was only like 8 or 9, so I borrowed my buddy's acoustic guitar and was obsessed with it. I remembering practicing everyday and playing the same chords over and over until my fingers hurt."
Me: "Oh wow, that's some intensive practices."
Duane: "Well come to find out years later, there are tons of guitar jazz musicians."
Me: "Yeah I was thinking that a moment ago when your teacher said there were none."
Duane: "Once I knew how to play the guitar my mom bought me my first electric guitar, then it was metal music after that."
Me: "Metal, huh?"
Duane: "Yeah, I played with a couple of metal bands in Tampa and realized, unless that's all you want to do is play metal music and your an amazing metal guitarist then going anywhere might be a big challenge for you, you know?"
Me: "I understand, so what are you doing these days?"
Duane: "Well I've been hanging out with some buddies and we've had jam sessions, one recently in a storage-like building in Ravenswood. It was pretty awesome. We hung out, drank some beers and jammed for about 6 hours. It was a great night. I also have been teaching myself how to play more jazz style music and other styles as well." 
Me: "Nice, so broadening your musical talents on the guitar then, huh?"
Duane: "Yeah, there are just more opportunities if you know how to play other styles of music. There are so many guitar players out there and one person might get a gig over you because you don't know how to play a certain style."
Me: "I feel you, man. I play the sax and it's been years since I've picked it up. I remember playing solos in jazz band in high school. I liked standing out and showing what I could do. The solos weren't pieces of music that was prewritten I had to write original stuff and use it for competitions."
Duane: "I think it's really cool that you ask me about music. I love talking about it."
Me: "Haha, thanks man. 

I did not have the chance to ask him if he went to any music school but I'll have the opportunity at a later date.

I have more interviews to come. I want to share stories with you and inform you of how others got their start in the industry. Next week I will feature the founder of Chicago Music Guide and a contributor who donates her time to CMG and supports the local music scene.