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How do I apply?
All students who wish to pursue a music degree at UW-Green Bay must apply to the university and complete a music department entrance assessment, which usually includes an audition on voice or an instrument, along with a preliminary determination as to whether the student should take MUSIC 170: Fundamentals of Music in preparation for collegiate music theory. In-person or video auditions can be scheduled through our Admission and Auditions page.
Additional Information
Students who have some prior audio or music production experience are always welcome to tell us about they've done and/or submit sample work(s) for consideration. If you’ve made music on your computer, recorded yourself singing or playing an instrument, or helped run sound for a theatre or music event, we want to know about it! The goal of the entrance assessment is to give us a complete picture of you and your experience.
What if I don't read music?
Music literacy is a skill that will greatly benefit you as a professional audio engineer, and it’s training that you will receive at UW-Green Bay. Students who wish to pursue the BA Music/Audio Production Emphasis but have concerns about their music literacy skills will likely be advised to take MUSIC 170: Fundamentals of Music before beginning the theory sequence. MUSIC 170 can usually be taken the summer before the first year, or in the spring of the first year (with the theory sequence then beginning in the second year of the emphasis).
There are also abundant online resources for self-directed learning on music-literacy fundamentals (the five-line staff, clefs, note names and rhythmic values, time and key signatures, sharps and flats, etc.), and interested students should become familiar with these as much as possible before beginning the Audio Production emphasis.
What if I don't sing or play an instrument?
To be a successful audio engineer, it’s crucial to learn the fundamentals of making acoustic music—not only does every facet of your musical experience reinforce your work as an engineer, but understanding first-hand the very real challenges and stresses of playing an instrument or singing will help you communicate effectively with artists on the other side of the glass. The lesson and ensemble requirements in the Audio Production emphasis are there to provide this essential experience and perspective.
Students who are concerned that they don’t sing or play an instrument can fulfill their ensemble requirements by enrolling in ensembles that don’t require an audition, such as University Singers, Hand Drumming Ensemble, and others.
Also, lesson requirements can be met through introductory study. Even if you never play in public as a pianist, guitarist, singer, or drummer, knowing what it takes to make acoustic music will make you a better audio engineer.
Students who aren’t ready to give an entrance audition on voice or an instrument are strongly encouraged to describe their audio production experience and/or submit samples of audio production work as part of their entrance assessment.
Can I transfer into the BA Music/Audio Production Emphasis after I’ve completed the NWTC Audio Production certificate?
The credits for the certificate do transfer in as MUSIC 166, 265, and 266. You may also be able to receive transfer credit for general education courses taken at other institutions.
Students who hold the NWTC Audio Production certificate still need to apply to UW-Green Bay and complete an entrance audition/assessment before declaring the BA Music/Audio Production Emphasis.
Lost in the Music?
If you have additional questions about the Audio Production emphasis, Entrance Assessment, or transferring credits, contact one of our professional advisors.