Summer Institute of Music Technology: July 2 – July 14, 2012
Hosted by New York University’s Music Technology program, the Summer Institute of Music Technology is a two-week workshop designed for high school students who wish to learn about and experience music technology. Through class lectures, labs and individualized studio time, students will learn the fundamentals of music technology. Topics include:
- How to build your own studio
- Signal representation and synthesis
- MIDI and sequencing
- Fundamentals of sound recording in analog and digital, single and multi-track
- Editing, mixing and post-production
Students will use state-of-the-art equipment in NYU’s Music Technology studios, working with ProTools and Reason to develop their individualized projects.
The learning experience will be complemented by :
- Tours of professional recording and post-production studios
- Tour of Carnegie Hall and its recording facility
- Guest speakers from the industry
Sponsors
Application
If you would like to be considered for the workshop you must submit the following:
- A general online summer application including links to two contrasting works that best represent the applicants skills,
experience and interests in music technology. Online materials should
include explanation of applicants roll in producing works.
- Application fee of $50 (non-refundable, payable directly at the end of the summer online application, or separately using the online payment form or the paper payment form with a check)
- Recommendation letter: Recommenders should be chosen from people most familiar with your former
or current studies, musical interests, or work. Friends, family
members, or guardians should not write the letters of recommendation.
Examples of people who should write letter of recommendation include
teachers of music and/or music technology related
subjects, guidance counselors, work, or internship supervisors. Letters should be emailed to: simt.nyu.2010@gmail.com. Always be sure to include the applicants contact information: name, phone number, mailing address, and e-mail address.
Mailed in application fees can be sent to:
Agnieszka Roginska, Associate Director
Music Technology Program
Music and Performing Arts Professions
35 West Fourth Street, Suite 777
New York, NY 10012
Housing/Meals
All participants will be housed in unadorned dormitory bedrooms in multi-bedroom suites. Each suite typically has two or three bedrooms. Each bedroom has two or three beds and is furnished with a bed, desk, dresser and closet/wardrobe for each guest. If a resident is assigned to a single bedroom, he or she will not be assigned a roommate in their bedroom. Each individual suite has a bathroom shared by all occupants of the suite. There are no kitchens in our facilities used for short-term housing. NYU Summer Housing does not provide in-room telephone, television, or internet connectivity to short-term guests. Click here for more specific housing information.
You will receive meal tickets for two meals daily in campus dining halls. Dining halls are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. You will be responsible for your own meals then, as well as any other mealsor snacks outside of the two meal tickets per weekday.
NYU Public Safety Services officers are on duty 24 hours a day.Specially assigned Resident Assistants (R.A.) monitor discipline,including enforcing a curfew for students in this program, and helpstudents as they adjust to living away from home.
Because our standards for achievement are high, we accept highlymotivated students who will enjoy the classes as well as the culturalactivities. It is, therefore, important to know that failure to complywith regulations will be grounds for immediate dismissal from theprogram. Parents and/or guardians will be contacted as soon as anyunsatisfactory behavior is recognized.
Students entering their junior and senior year of high school following the summer program are encouraged to apply.
Please direct all questions to:
Dr. Agnieszka Roginska
Telephone: 212.998.5141
E-mail: roginska@nyu.edu
FAQ (click to expand)
Academics/Curriculum
What do students learn during the summer program?
The two-week program has been designed to introduce students to topics in music technology. Music technology is a broad field. During the summer program, the goal is to give students a sample of some of the topics in the field of music technology. To accomplish this, the summer program is designed to revolve around learning about sound, its origin and representation, how to capture it, synthesize it, and manipulate it.
The curriculum includes:
- Fundamentals of sound and digital audio
- Cables and interconnections, mixers and signal flow
- Transducers
- Basics of sound recording (analog, digital, multi-track)
- Sound editing
- Mastering and post-production
- MIDI/Sequencing
- Synthesis
What are the daily activities during the summer program?
During the weekdays of the program, the day is broken down into three sections: in the morning, students are in a lecture-type class for about 1.5-2 hours every day where they get a theoretical basis of music technology topics (acoustics, transducers, recording techniques, MIDI, editing, mixing, etc.); in the afternoon, students spend 2.5 hours in a lab where they get hands-on experience related to the topic that was covered in class, as well as 2.5 hours of studio time where students work on their own projects. During studio time, students work in small groups (2-3 persons) where they collaborate on a project of their choice. Studio time is supervised by graduate students in the Music Technology program at NYU. Graduate students are there to help summer program students with their final projects, and answer any questions related to studio software or hardware.
In the evenings and on weekends, extracurricular activities are organized including trips to recording and post-production studios, concerts, visits to audio installations, Broadway shows, tours of New York City, evenings with experts in the Music Technology field (recording engineers, producers, musicians, etc.)
What types of projects do students work on?
Projects vary. Some students form a band and write, play, record, mix, and produce music, some work on field recordings, some choose to work individually and focus on electronic music composition, DJ-ing, and others. During the 2008 and 2009 programs, we had the final performance broadcast live on the web. To watch them go to your QuickTime player, select File -> Open URL and type
rtsp://ss1.smusic.nyu.edu/~institute/summer08.mov
for the 2008 performance, or visit
http://ss1.smusic.nyu.edu/~simt09/concert.movfor the 2009 performance.
Who teaches the summer program?
Faculty and staff of the Music Technology program at New York University.
Should students bring any specific material or equipment?
All the tools and equipment will be provided by the Music Technology program at New York University. However, students are encouraged to bring their instruments, any material they would like to work on, or their laptops with their own software.
Admissions
Who is the program designed for?
The program is designed for rising high school juniors and seniors. Although the Music Technology program does not have a strict minimum age requirement, due to the NYU housing policy (minimum age 16), preference is given to students who are rising juniors and seniors, and who are at least 16 years old.
Do international students attend the program?
The Summer Institute of Music Technology is open to all local, national, and international students.
Is the program competitive?
Due to the large number of applications we receive, and the limited number of space we have, the program is fairly competitive.
Is there an audition required to be accepted to the program?
No. There is no audition requirement.
Is there anything I can do to improve my chances of being accepted in the program?
Although there are no entry requirements beyond filling out the online application, we encourage all applicants who have prior experience in either music or music technology-related topics to attach some work samples to the online application - for example, students who have done some work in recording or mixing, or have written/composed or played music should attach samples (the online application allows 3 attachments). Letters of recommendation from teachers are also excellent. These materials are optional.
When will I find out if I’m accepted?
We contact all applicants shortly after the April 1st application deadline, no later than April 15th.
For Parents
How do I get to NYU from the airport?
If arriving by plane into one of the New York airports, the easiest and fastest way to get to campus is by taxi. Depending on the time of day, approximate travel times and rates are as follows: from LGA, 30-45 minutes and $25-45; from JFK, 45-60 minutes and $45 plus tolls and tip; from EWR, 45-75 minutes and $50-75. There are also shared shuttles and public transportation available. See airport websites or the information desks upon arrival for details.
Someone is driving me to NYU. Are there parking lots?
What is the schedule of my program?
Most programs begin with an orientation the night you check into housing. These orientations include information about housing, evening activities, health and safety, and life at NYU and in New York City. Starting the next day, classes begin in the morning and end in the early evening. There will be a short break for lunch. For programs with evening activities, those begin after a short break for dinner. You will receive a tentative schedule by email before your program begins and a final schedule upon arrival.
Is there a final show? Can friends and family attend?
Many programs have a final show or concert. Friends and family are encouraged to attend. You will receive more information about the final show when you arrive. It is usually the last day of your program.
What time is check-in and check-out?
You can begin checking in to your residence hall at 9:00 am on check-in day. You must check out by 11:00 am (12th Street Residence Hall) or 12:00 pm (Weinstein and Greenwich Hotel Residence Hall).
How do I check into the residence hall?
You will check into your room at the front desk of the residence hall. Please note that you must bring some form of photo identification to be checked in. The residence hall staff will give you a temporary residence hall access card and keys.
For Students
How much spending money do I need?
While most program-related activities are free, we recommend that you bring extra money to cover subway rides, food, snacks, personal incidentals, and optional activities. You will need money for meals on the weekends when the dining halls are closed. When you arrive, you will receive a list of recommended low-cost student restaurants in the area. Depending on how you spend your free time, you may need money for extra subway rides ($2.25/ride), shopping, and/or additional tourist activities.
What is my housing like?
Depending on the length of your program, you will stay in short-term housing (less than three weeks) at 12th Street Residence Hall or long-term housing (three weeks) at Weinstein Residence Hall.
Short-Term Housing at 12th Street Residence Hall: Percussion, Woodwinds, What Makes a Star, Music Technology, Brass, Piano
All participants will be housed in unadorned dormitory bedrooms in multi-bedroom suites. Each suite typically has two or three bedrooms. Each bedroom has two or three beds and is furnished with a bed, desk, dresser, and clost/wardrobe for each guest. If a resident is assigned to a single bedroom, he or she will not be assigned a roommate in their bedroom. Each individual suite has a bathroom shared by all occupants of the suite. There are no kitchens in our facilities used for short-term housing. NYU Summer Housing does not provide in-room telephone, television, or internet connectivity to short-term guests.
Long-Term Housing at Weinstein Residence Hall: Music Theatre, Art Intensive, String Quartet, Jazz Guitar
Students stay in shared rooms in an NYU residence hall with one or two roommates. Each bedroom has two or three beds and is furnished with a bed, desk, dresser and closet/wardrobe for each guest. Each room has a bathroom shared by all occupants of that room. The residence hall building has air conditioning. There are no kitchens in our facilities. NYU Housing does not provide telephones or televisions to guests. There is a shared lounge space with television on each floor of the building. Participants can access the Internet on their laptop with an Ethernet cable or on shared computers at the libraryand in several other buildings on campus. There is a laundry room in the building, if you choose to wash clothes. The residence hall is located newar Washington Square Park, a short walk from campus buildings.
NOTE: Kodaly participants will stay at the Greenwich Hotel Residence Hall in shared suites with single bedrooms, shared kitchens and bathrooms. It is about 10-15 minutes walking from classroom buildings.
What does my meal plan include?
Meal plans are different for short-term (less than three weeks) and long-term (three weeks) programs.
Short-Term Housing at 12th St. Residence Hall: Percussion, Woodwinds, What Makes a Star, Music-Technology, Brass, Piano
You will receive meal tickets for two meals daily in campus dining halls.
Long-Term Housing at Weinstein Residence Hall: Music Theatre, Art Intensive, String Quartet, Jazz Guitar
The housing and meals cost includes a meal plan of 10 meals per week and a card with $25 declining dollars. Participants can eat meals in campus dining halls, Monday-Friday. On Saturdays and Sundays, participants can purchase meals at local restaurants (you will receive a list of recommendations upon arrival).
What are campus dining hall hours?
Weinstein Dining Hall, Monday - Friday: 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
Kimmel Market Place, Monday - Friday: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
Palladium Food Court, Monday - Friday: 5:00 am to 7:00 pm
Dunkin Donuts, Monday – Friday: 6:00 am to 8:00 pm
Starbucks on the Square (declining dollars only), Monday - Thursday: 7:00 am to 8:00 pm,Friday: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
You can learn more about dining on campus at
http://www.campusdish.com/en-US/CSE/NYU.
Are linens provided?
For students in short-term housing at 12th Street Residence Hall (Percussion, Woodwinds, What Makes a Star, Music Technology, Brass, Piano), when you check .in, the residence hall staff will give you a temporary residence hall access card, keys, and a linen package (consisting of a sheet, blanket, pillow, pillowcase, and a small towel). For students in long-term housing at Weinstein or Greenwich Hotel Residence Hall (Music Theatre, Art Intensive,String Quartet, Jazz Guitar, Kodaly), you need to bring long (80 inch) twin bed size flat and fitted sheets, blankets, bedspreads, pillows, and your own towels.
Will I get an NYU Photo ID Card?
For students in long-term housing at Weinstein or Greenwich Hotel Residence Hall (Music Theatre, Art Intensive, String Quartet, Jazz Guitar, Kodaly), you will need an NYU photo ID card to access your meal plan, the gyms, laundry, and to get into other buildings on campus. You can get your ID at the NYU Card Center, located at 7th East 12th St. You will learn more about getting an ID card when you arrive. You will need a driver's license, state ID, or passport, and your housing ID.
What is Campus Cash?
NYU ID Cards also have a feature called "Campus Cash." You or your parents can add money to this card to spend on laundry, food, and other necessities on- and off-campus. Find more information, including a list of merchant locations at
http://www.nyu.edu/nyucard/summer.residents.
Who will help me get adjusted to life on campus?
Specially assigned Program Assistants (PAs) assist residents in the residence hall and in evening and weekend activities. They are juniors, seniors, or graduate students at NYU and have been trained in handling emergencies, discipline, and student adjustment issues. PAs live in the residence hall with students. The will walk participants to class on the first day, and at any other time, if necessary. PAs are responsible for helping students adjust to life in the program and the city, and are a great resource for students during the program. All students under 18 years old have a curfew of 11:00 pm Sunday - Thursday and 12:00 am Friday and Saturday and PAs will enforce this curfew. Your PA will be available in the residence hall to answer any questions you might have.
Will I be safe on campus and attending activities?
NYU Public Safety Services officers are on duty 24 hours a day. You will need to show your NYU ID card (if applicable) or your residence hall access card and a photo ID to enter all campus buildings. Program Assistants will accompany participants on all evening and weekend activities.
Can I leave campus overnight?
If you want to stay at home or at a friend's overnight, you must have your parents fax a signed permission form to 212.995.4923 or scan and email it to
steinhardt.summer@nyu.edu. If you are over the age of 18, parental permission is not required, but please let your Program Assistant know that you will be staying off-campus.
What are the discipline policies?
The SIMT has a zero tolerance policy on substance abuse (alcohol, cigarettes, illicit drugs including but not limited to marijuana, or illegally obtained prescription medicine). Students found to be using/abusing these substances will be dismissed from the program immediately.
Sponsor List
Students will be in class all day, beginning in the morning and finishing at about 10:00 pm. During this time, they are supervised by faculty instructors. Students have a short break for lunch, which they will eat at dining halls on campus with their classmates. PAs will accompany students on all evening and weekend activities, which may include trips to the theatre, concerts, tourist sights in the city, or movie nights in the residence hall. They travel to these events in groups by subway or walking. These activities are required for all students under age 18, though all participants are encouraged to attend.