If you want to make the next chart-topping album, sound effects for blockbuster films and video games, radio spots, or learn what it takes to put on a concert for 60,000 screaming fans, you’ve come to the right place.
Our Recording Arts & Show Production program is designed to teach students the fundamentals of the audio industry, including live sound reinforcement and audio-visual production. This course covers a wide spectrum of professional audio, from work in the studio, on location, sound installation, and live music settings. You’ll learn from industry professionals, and by the end of the 11-month program, you’ll be prepared to make your entry in an audio industry career!
What Makes F.I.R.S.T. Different
Working in the audio industry isn’t a traditional career path – so F.I.R.S.T. Institute doesn’t provide a typical education. From day one, our students pursue their careers through practical, hands-on learning. We believe you learn best by doing – that means putting down the textbooks, getting out of the classroom, and working with industry-standard equipment. Under supervision from industry professionals, our students regularly use cutting-edge analog sound mixers, MIDI controllers, lavalier and condenser microphones, touch-based technology such as the Raven MTI production console, and professional-grade software such as Logic Pro and Pro Tools.
Those enrolled in the program will learn a wide range of audio applications and exposure to multiple different career paths: music production, recording arts, audio mixing, location sound, sound for visual media (foley), audio-visual event production, and show production. The audio industry is growing, and the possibilities are limitless!
Focused on Your Career
Our goal is to prepare students for entry-level careers in the digital media industry. Our alumni succeed for two key reasons: the strength of their portfolio and connections in the industry.
By the time our students graduate, they will have created a portfolio showing all the work they completed during their time at F.I.R.S.T. This is a crucial part of impressing employers and showing value as an employee. Additionally, our small class sizes create an intimate learning environment where students are encouraged to work together (even outside of class). Our alumni have a strong community, where classmates constantly collaborate on projects and recommend one another for work. Creative industries thrive on networking – and by the time our students graduate, they have a built-in network of colleagues!
We also require our students to complete two courses in Career Development, as well as an internship related to their field of study. These courses prepare students for the workforce by covering essential, practical skills such as setting career goals, resume and cover letter writing, job searching, and job interview techniques. The hours spent on internships prove invaluable to our graduates, some of whom find employment even before they graduate from F.I.R.S.T.! Additionally, we provide resources to our alumni, highlighting local job openings, film and music festivals, and opportunities to explore new career paths.
What Our Students Do
After graduation, many of our students go on to work on notable projects. Some of our most dedicated grads have worked with artists like Chris Brown and The Game, performed at the Electric Daisy Carnival, rigged shows for Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Kevin Hart, and worked at acclaimed studios like Hit Factory Criteria and Circle House.
How Do I Learn More?
Our Recording Arts & Show Production program is available both on-campus, and online.
Click here to learn more about the on-campus program: https://www.first.edu/recording-arts-school/
Click here to learn more about the online program:
https://www.first.edu/programs/online/recording-arts-and-show-production-idl/
If you feel like F.I.R.S.T. Institute is the right place for you, navigate to the top of the page and hit “Apply!”
