1014 S. Michigan Ave - Music Center

Refine your skills in Columbia College Chicago’s Music bachelor’s degree program, which focuses on contemporary, urban, and popular music. In core classes, you’ll learn theory, composition, improvisation, arranging, technology, history, analysis, and aural skills. You’ll enroll in private lessons for your primary instrument/voice and complete coursework designed to provide collaborative music-making experiences with students and faculty members. You’ll also gain performance experience in ensembles that play a variety of styles and genres.

Columbia College Chicago’s Music Technology program focuses on the science of sound—how music technology can be designed, shaped, used, and manipulated for experimental live performances, video games, music compositions, sound installations, and other musical activities. In this program, you’ll do more than operate the tools; you’ll design, hack, manipulate, and reconfigure the next generation of music technology. Our Bachelor of Science program combines faculty expertise with coursework in music composition, programming, and audio technology. After taking introductory courses in science, mathematics, sound technology, and acoustics, you’ll choose one of five concentrations: Interactive Music Design, Electroacoustic Composition, Perception and Timbre, Programming Audio, and Physical Design. Music Technology graduates can pursue careers as multimedia artists, sound artists, music software and hardware designers, programmers, and user experience (UX) designers. The program also prepares students for graduate study in music technology, human-computer interaction, and computer science.

Whether you need space for a duo or a 20-piece band, we have you covered. Every Ensemble Room is equipped with the tools you’ll need to write, rehearse, and record. This includes PA systems, amps, mics, keyboards, projectors, and a digital board that interfaces with a computer running Logic and Protools.

Practice Rooms are available in the Music Center and may be reserved for a time that’s convenient for you. All have been acoustically treated. We also have four soundproof Wenger sound booths.

Our 140-seat performance space hosts more than 100 concerts every year. The space is fully equipped to mirror a live music venue. The stage is also open for students to reserve for special events. If you’re interested in learning about sound and stage management, you can also volunteer behind the scenes.

Our state-of-the-art computer lab is a centralized space for you to learn about writing, editing, and performing music in a digital workspace. You’ll have access to industry-standard software and hardware to create your own EP, from mixing and mastering to virtual instruments to audio recording and processing. The lab is also fully equipped with 9.1 surround sound for amazing sound clarity and endless mixing creativity.

You’ll have access to a professional collection of equipment that you can sign out for use in your creative and artistic pursuits—both on and off campus. Need a PA system? Check. How about a sound board? Check. Keyboards? Drum sets? Monitors? Yep, we’ve got those too.