MEIEA Summit 2025

               Yvan Kelly, Moderator
9:00 - From Creators to Engineers: Understanding the Motivations of Audio Production Students in Music Education

From Creators to Engineers: Understanding the Motivations of Audio Production Students in Music Education
  William Thompson, The University of Southern Mississippi
  Paul Linden, The University of Southern Mississippi
Academic programs in audio production offer graduates a diverse range of career opportunities, including live sound engineering, recording, mastering, game audio design, and sound design. However, the motivations driving students to pursue these degrees often diverge from the traditional professional pathways associated with audio production education. Many students in these programs self-identify as music creators, emphasizing artistic pursuits over technical production. Despite this, they frequently choose technical audio production degrees rather than artistic disciplines focusing on performance or composition.
This study aims to explore the motivations behind students’ academic and career choices in music-related fields, specifically investigating the potential misalignment between students’ creative aspirations and the technical focus of audio production curricula. Through surveys of undergraduate audio production students, the research examines their self-identification, career goals, and preferences in musical styles and creative roles. The findings will illuminate the barriers and perceptions influencing these decisions and provide insights into the evolving landscape of music education. Ultimately, this research seeks to inform curriculum design, fostering better alignment with students’ aspirations and the demands of the contemporary music industry.