FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What will I do in music tech class (not necessarily CFPA Music Technology)?
You will build music and technology skills you can use your whole life. Again, we welcome students of all musical backgrounds. You will learn how to create, improvise, record, produce, arrange, and market your own music while becoming familiar with gear, event production, and performance. For more details, check out the Course Syllabus.
If I take a music technology class, will I have to perform in front of other people?
Not necessarily. Many of our projects ask students to either "produce or perform" their product. You may prefer to publish a new track to your website (we will help you build one) or perform it live for our class.
Who can take a music tech class?
Any Colgan student interested in learning and making music.
What do I need to know how to do to take a music tech class?
No prior skills are required.
I am in the CFPA, but not for music tech. How could a music tech class help me in my concentration?
Great question! For example, let's say you are in . . .
CFPA Band: You might be taught how to rearrange a melody found in one of your band pieces using notation software (like Finale, Sibelius, Notion, etc.). Oh, you play the bassoon? Your arrangement could have four bassoon parts. In doing this, you'll learn about harmony and part writing. You could then multi-track record all three parts and share it with colleges you're applying to or just share it with friends. After learning to create your own music, you'll get better at sight-reading, theory, and aural skills. Here's a recording of a Beethoven allegretto arranged and produced by a CFPA Band student in music tech class.
CFPA Choir: You might be taught how to arrange and record a medley of three pop songs for yourself to sing while playing piano. We'll teach you to recognize musical patterns found in all three pieces and how to use notation software like Sibelius or Notion to write down your ideas. You and three other students could learn to use a digital audition workstation (DAW) like ProTools or FL Studio to record and produce your work. During this process you'll learn a lot about arranging, harmony, form, production, and performance--helpful info you can use in chorus! Here's an example of a CFPA Choir student in music tech class performing new arrangements.
CFPA Orchestra: You might be taught how to create and produce new music based on classical forms (e.g. strophic, rounded binary, through-composed, etc.). To get started, you might be shown examples found in your orchestra music and then shown how to produce a new piece using a program like Logic or SoundTrap. Check out examples of new music in classical form produced by a CFPA Orchestra student (yes, they play piano, too!) in music tech class.
Are there Music Technology concerts?
Here are some examples of what music tech students do in lieu of traditional concerts:
When are auditions for the CFPA Music Technology program?
Saturday, January 19 (snow date: January 26).
How do I sign up for a CFPA Music Technology audition time?
Sign up on the CFPA website.
What do I need to do for my audition?
See the audition requirements here.
How many students are accepted into the CFPA Music Technology program?
This will change every year depending on how many people apply and available space in our school program.
Who teaches music technology classes?
Mr. Mills teaches music technology classes and supervises the CFPA Music Technology program.
What if I have more questions?
Ask them using the form below. We will get back to you as quickly as possible.
You will build music and technology skills you can use your whole life. Again, we welcome students of all musical backgrounds. You will learn how to create, improvise, record, produce, arrange, and market your own music while becoming familiar with gear, event production, and performance. For more details, check out the Course Syllabus.
If I take a music technology class, will I have to perform in front of other people?
Not necessarily. Many of our projects ask students to either "produce or perform" their product. You may prefer to publish a new track to your website (we will help you build one) or perform it live for our class.
Who can take a music tech class?
Any Colgan student interested in learning and making music.
What do I need to know how to do to take a music tech class?
No prior skills are required.
I am in the CFPA, but not for music tech. How could a music tech class help me in my concentration?
Great question! For example, let's say you are in . . .
CFPA Band: You might be taught how to rearrange a melody found in one of your band pieces using notation software (like Finale, Sibelius, Notion, etc.). Oh, you play the bassoon? Your arrangement could have four bassoon parts. In doing this, you'll learn about harmony and part writing. You could then multi-track record all three parts and share it with colleges you're applying to or just share it with friends. After learning to create your own music, you'll get better at sight-reading, theory, and aural skills. Here's a recording of a Beethoven allegretto arranged and produced by a CFPA Band student in music tech class.
CFPA Choir: You might be taught how to arrange and record a medley of three pop songs for yourself to sing while playing piano. We'll teach you to recognize musical patterns found in all three pieces and how to use notation software like Sibelius or Notion to write down your ideas. You and three other students could learn to use a digital audition workstation (DAW) like ProTools or FL Studio to record and produce your work. During this process you'll learn a lot about arranging, harmony, form, production, and performance--helpful info you can use in chorus! Here's an example of a CFPA Choir student in music tech class performing new arrangements.
CFPA Orchestra: You might be taught how to create and produce new music based on classical forms (e.g. strophic, rounded binary, through-composed, etc.). To get started, you might be shown examples found in your orchestra music and then shown how to produce a new piece using a program like Logic or SoundTrap. Check out examples of new music in classical form produced by a CFPA Orchestra student (yes, they play piano, too!) in music tech class.
Are there Music Technology concerts?
Here are some examples of what music tech students do in lieu of traditional concerts:
- publish original music to a secure website or social media
- market your original music using branding and promotional techniques
- compose new music for Colgan ensembles
- form and perform in rock bands
- produce new albums
- run audio/visual systems at Colgan concerts
When are auditions for the CFPA Music Technology program?
Saturday, January 19 (snow date: January 26).
How do I sign up for a CFPA Music Technology audition time?
Sign up on the CFPA website.
What do I need to do for my audition?
See the audition requirements here.
How many students are accepted into the CFPA Music Technology program?
This will change every year depending on how many people apply and available space in our school program.
Who teaches music technology classes?
Mr. Mills teaches music technology classes and supervises the CFPA Music Technology program.
What if I have more questions?
Ask them using the form below. We will get back to you as quickly as possible.
Colgan High School
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Center for Fine and Performing Arts
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Music Technology Syllabi
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CFPA Handbook
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