Kira Buehler

Senior Project Advisor

Mark Miyake

Document Type

Project

Publication Date

Spring 2025

Keywords

Audio education, Recording programs, Audio students, Curriculum, Music industry, Sound engineers, Audio curriculum, Recording studio, University education, Higher education, Music technology

Abstract

This paper explores topics and issues within Western Washington University's Audio Technology, Music, and Society (ATMS) program, including structure/curriculum, what attracts students to the program, how the program has evolved over time, its treatment of minority groups, its demographic makeup, high registration competition, sense of community (or lack thereof), program alums, ultimate goals of the program, and impacts on careers. Using 11 student, staff, and alum interviews and 23 responses to an online survey of current students, opinions on the program are presented qualitatively and quantitatively. Analyzing survey data through chi-square testing and linear regression modeling, trends (or lack of trends) between variables are revealed. I ultimately find that opinions about the program are quite positive overall, with instructor quality, academic difficulty, and feelings of career preparation at good levels. While experiences within the program vary slightly by demographics (gender, race), this variance is much smaller compared to the program's past and experiences within the wider audio industry. Increasing demand for the program and a resulting difficulty registering is confirmed by the data. I propose that creative solutions involving restructuring classes/program curriculum to increase class supply without adding additional studio spaces or harming student experiences may be the most effective and efficient ways to address this surplus demand. Interviews and survey data also reveal an almost complete disconnect between current students and alums. I propose that this issue can be addressed by having alums provide career guidance, an area of improvement students had an existing desire for. By incorporating working alums into class experiences (such as through Zoom, field trips, alum panels, etc.) the ATMS community can be strengthened, while setting a precedent for more alum involvement. While recent state and federal budget cuts to the university make funding improvements difficult, I focus on providing more realistic and cost-friendly solutions, as well as ways these data may aid in effectively soliciting more resources for the program. This paper is targeted at a general audience without a familiarity with the ATMS program and may be used for both the better understanding of this academic program, as well as others that may be in similar positions.

Department

Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies

Type

Text

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

Download

Share

COinS