If you’re a prospective student looking to learn more about the music production schools in Texas, then this article is for you.
Becoming a Music Producer in Texas:
Music production is an exciting field that is currently experiencing an increase in demand for qualified professionals.
This growth is expected to continue, with some estimates placing the number of job openings up to 6,000 per year. And it is projected to grow 6 per cent from 2020 to 2030.
What that means for you: If you’re considering a career in music production, now’s a great time to jump into the fray.
Although there are perks to being a solo music maker and controlling every aspect of your craft, sitting at the helm of your studio or project isn’t always feasible, not to mention expensive.
Being part of a big-name company or working under another producer who has connections and influence helps those starting out to build their resume quickly with pro bono work and experience, which would otherwise be difficult (or impossible) for them to acquire on their own.
Since there are so many different specialties in this field—recording audio, composing video game soundtracks, and remixing tracks from other musicians—there are plenty of opportunities for teamwork as well as growth within your area of expertise.
Typically, music producers complete a Bachelor’s degree in any of the music production schools in the world.
This usually takes up to four or five years, depending on which music production school in Texas you attended.
And if you live in Texas, these are the best music production schools you will find. We have broken them down in a way that you will understand better.
How Much Do Music Producers in Texas Earn?
Salary.com’s most current data on the median annual salary for music producers in Texas is $52,435 as of March 2022.
This number is slightly lower than the national median salary for this job, which is $55,853.
Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average annual salary of a Music Producer in Texas as $69,540.
The fact remains that Texas is among the least lucrative cities to be a Music Producer. For example, music producers in New York earn almost twice the salary a Texas-based music producer makes.
The state of Texas is one of the most populous states in all of America, with more than 28 million residents living within its borders as of 2016.
In addition, cities like Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio offer plenty of work opportunities for those who work behind the scenes on hit recordings and videos.
Top Vocational & Private Music Production Schools in Texas
There are several vocational music production schools in Texas. Many of these classes prepare students for a career in the industry while others are geared toward those who want to work within related industries. Here’s our list:
# The Recording Conservatory of Austin
The Recording Conservatory of Austin might be the most affordable way to achieve your musical goals. Located in the heart of Texas, just outside of Austin, this school has a full-time course load that allows its students to learn within its walls on equipment that’s commonly found in pro recording studios.
The school’s small class sizes mean that you won’t have to compromise on your training due to a lack of individual attention or resources.
Students have the option of getting hands-on experience from day one, by interning at local recording studios.
This is a great way to test out what you’ve learned and possibly meet industry contacts at the same time, solidifying Austin as a popular destination for musicians and artists alike. Tuition cost in TRCOA is $22,680.
# Recording Connection Audio Institute, Houston
Being a music producer is a dream job for many people in the recording industry, but it’s also one of the hardest positions to break into. So, what should you do if you don’t have the necessary connections or access?
Your best bet is to go to school for it—and there are a lot of good schools for music production in Texas. One such institution is the Recording Connection Audio Institute in Houston, which offers courses from entry-level up through professional certificate courses.
And the best part? They’re even a part of Career Step, so if you can’t find work after graduation, you can use your degree for something else!
The Recording Connection Audio Institute has several pros:
- They offer hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment and technology
- They have instructors who are working professionals and know exactly how everything works—and they’ll teach you too!
While there aren’t many cons, here are some things to keep in mind:
- It’s expensive compared to other vocational music production schools in Texas, but not as expensive as some others on this list. That said, it is still expensive enough that you should probably think twice about taking out loans unless you feel confident about this career path.
The Recording Connection Audio Institute’s tuition cost isn’t cheap—but considering they provide highly specialized training by industry professionals at an affordable rate, it’s hard not to consider them when evaluating your options. Tuition cost is around $12,680.
# Butler School of Music | University of Texas
The Butler School of Music is a school for music located in Austin, Texas. The school offers a variety of programs, including the Bachelor of Music Technology program.
This four-year degree program focuses on the study of composition and sound design for music, as well as Audio Engineering theory and practice.
On-campus, students have access to state-of-the-art recording equipment such as Pro Tools systems and digital audio workstations (DAWs).
These provide them with hands-on experience with industry-standard software and hardware that they may not be able to access elsewhere (especially when compared with inexpensive digital versions found online).
Students also benefit from having access to a wide range of musical instruments available on site that they can use in their compositions or just try out while taking classes.
They can even arrange with other students and faculty members who are willing to collaborate on projects outside of class time using these resources. Tuition cost at this school varies, depending on your program.
# Dub Academy
Dub Academy is an urban music production school in Texas with a sole focus on teaching music.
They have courses on DJing, Music Production, and Music Theory. They have beginner courses and advanced programs on music production that cost $3,200, which is frankly, not that expensive.
The teaching style makes the course a lot more interactive, and this school is highly recommended for entry-level students.
# ProMedia Training Center
ProMedia Training Center has two campuses in Dallas/Fort Worth. Both campuses offer numerous courses in audio engineering and music production There is also a campus in Houston, as well as online options for students. The cost of tuition at this school is $6,500.
# Audio EnginEARing Institute
While most of the best music production schools are located in places like New York City or Los Angeles, Texas has plenty to offer. The state is home to one of the largest cities in the country, a thriving technology industry, and a wealth of creative talent.
The AEI is one of these creative music production schools in Texas.
They offer various programs sold as single courses, and students can select what they want to learn, make payment and begin learning. Tuition cost begins at $1,200 at AEI. This is another decent way to begin your music production career.
# Trakksounds Music Production Camp
What makes Trakksounds Music Production Camp stand out from the rest? First off, its convenient location puts students in one of the most influential music scenes in the country.
And don’t worry if your financial aid won’t cover tuition—Trakksounds accepts payment plans and even offers scholarships to deserving applicants.
Trakksounds gives students plenty of space and privacy to make full use of their musical knowledge during the session period—making it easier than ever before to turn new skills into practical applications!
With a curriculum covering everything from audio engineering fundamentals to masterful mixing techniques and innovative production styles (even a focus on songwriting!), there’s no reason not to attend this camp if you’re looking for serious growth in your music career.
Best Music Colleges in Texas
Some prospective students prefer to be educated in a public or state university. It is as simple as that! And to be honest, the reason is simple: to get deeper insights into the field of music production. Attending universities of music instead of vocational schools will cost a lot more, however.
The average cost of studying in a music college in Texas is estimated to be around $29,000 per semester, and a degree in any music program lasts for four years. So, if you are considering universities, here are the best music production schools in Texas:
University of North Texas – College of Music
Located in Denton, Texas, the University of North Texas is one of the largest public universities in the state and a major research university with a wide variety of degree programs from which to choose.
The school is home to 43 libraries and has a vibrant campus life with over 400 student organizations. It’s also one of the best music production schools in Texas—and one of the top music production schools online—which is why we’ve included it as part of our list on this page.
Yet another great reason to attend UNT is its large music department, which offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in performance and composition.
It ranked College Factual as the 11th best music school in Texas. The faculty members are dedicated to helping their students succeed through mentoring, advising, and developing individualized plans for achieving objectives.
Texas State University – College of Music
Texas State is a public university located in San Marcos, Texas. About 36,000 students attend Texas State, and the school offers over 150 degrees through its 8 colleges.
The College of Music offers the Bachelor of Arts in Recording Industry; this program teaches students how to produce music, from mixing audio to digital mastering and CD duplication. The college also offers minors in Music Business and Audio Technology.
Baylor University
When it comes to music production schools in Texas, Baylor University is a standout option. Nestled in Waco, Texas, the private Christian school is home to around 15,000 students and offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
In addition to its music production program (a Bachelor of Music degree), Baylor University also offers music-related majors in jazz studies, commercial music performance, organ performance, and percussion instruments.
In addition to these programs of study that are directly related to music production, there are also major-specific minors available in fields such as Jazz Studies, Commercial Music Performance, and Organ Performance.
Southern Methodist University in Dallas – Meadows School of the Art
Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts is a great choice for music production students seeking high-quality facilities, a strong job placement rate, and an affordable price tag. Located in Dallas, one of the top music cities in America, SMU offers students access to local studios and connections with some of the city’s most prestigious performing arts organizations.
The school boasts small class sizes that ensure individualized attention while also giving plenty of chances to collaborate with classmates.
The School of Music at SMU offers several different programs for aspiring producers. One option allows you to combine coursework in liberal studies with classes focused on audio engineering.
Another program gives you the chance to learn from accomplished studio veterans through weekend seminars while still giving you time during the week to focus on your songwriting and other musical pursuits.
And if you’re looking for something more long-term that involves earning a degree rather than just taking short courses, then choose between undergraduate or graduate degrees focused on music production, technology, or traditional music performance such as voice or piano.
If you’re interested in commercial music production but are looking at programs other than Texas Tech University’s, try taking some time to look into each school’s curriculum before making your decision.
See if any classes are offered that specifically address what you want out of your education since many schools have musical programs that also offer courses covering audio engineering or other areas like classical composition or studio mixing.
Also, be aware that some schools have multiple options within their offerings; Texas Tech has three different Bachelors of Commercial Music Degrees: one focused on professional practices, one focused on digital audio design and production techniques for audio engineers, and one that combines both types of lessons and allows students to focus on their interests.
Hardin-Simmons University
Hardin-Simmons University is a private liberal arts university located in Abilene, Texas. Hardin-Simmons offers more than 70 undergraduate majors to its roughly 4,000 students. The university’s music programs are highly regarded.
Their Bachelor of the Music degree program is one of the oldest in the whole country. It was established way back in 1915 and has since graduated thousands of musicians who’ve gone on to work all over the world.
HSU also offers several tracks for earning a master’s degree or certification. If you’re interested in pursuing your career as a conductor, HSU’s Master of Music program is one of the best options available to you.
Prairie View A & M University
Prairie View A&M University is a public, historically black university that sits on a lushly landscaped campus.
The university’s facilities are equipped with a fully digital recording studio where aspiring musicians can truly immerse themselves in music production education. Job prospects for graduates of Prairie View A & M University’s music program are also quite good; alumni have gone on to work for companies like Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Studios.
College of the Mainland
The College of the Mainland is a community college in Texas, with around 14,000 students attending every semester. The school has an active music department, with many clubs and organizations for students of all levels and interests.
There are plenty of opportunities to gain performance and scholarship experience in popular music genres like rock and pop, as well as in more classical forms like opera.
The school also has a very good music program overall, making it one of the best community colleges in Texas for someone who wants to pursue music or audio engineering as a career.
The List of Top Music Production Schools in Houston
Here are some music production schools in Houston, or simply colleges where you can study music.
- University of Houston – Moores School of Music
- Rice University – The Shepherd School of Music
- University of Saint Thomas
- Houston Community College
- Houston Baptist University
- MediaTech Institute
- Texas Southern University
- Alvin Community College
- The Art Institute of Houston
- Lee College
- San Jacinto Community College
Let us look at these music production schools in Houston, Texas in detail.
University of Houston – Moores School of Music
The University of Houston is an expensive, but also among the luxurious music production schools in Houston, Texas. The average cost of tuition is $64,843. In terms of music education, UH has one of the best music production schools in Texas.
Its Music College, Moores School of Music, is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious music production schools in Houston, Texas.
In addition, it equips students with masterful knowledge in music theory, sound engineering, and music production.
However, UH is a crowded school. Getting into this school is probably harder than any other music production school in Texas.
Rice University – The Shepherd School of Music
Rice University, a private research university located in Houston, Texas, is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report.
The university boasts an impressive 11-to-1 student-to-faculty which guarantees conducive learning for its students.
While students are required to apply through the general admissions process at Rice University before applying specifically to the school’s music program, those who are selected are well-prepared upon graduation with two undergraduate degrees (Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Music) and an understanding of various musical styles from around the world that have been mastered during their time at Rice.
Those looking into studying music production at Rice University should note that full scholarships are available for admitted students who maintain superior grades throughout their college careers; however, recipients must commit 10 hours per week towards working on an internship related to their major field (e.g., film composing).
University of Saint Thomas
If you’re looking for a place to study music production in Texas, the University of Saint Thomas has something to offer you. While not as well-known as the schools in Austin, it’s still a school with an impressive history and excellent programs for students interested in this field.
With an acceptance rate hovering around 78%, the University of Saint Thomas doesn’t have quite as high a reputation as some other schools on this list; however, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth taking into consideration when looking at your options for study music production degrees near Houston.
When looking at tuition rates and statistics like average class size and student to faculty ratio we can see that education here is received just as much like any other top music production school in Texas on this list.
Houston Community College
Houston Community College, the largest community college in Texas with a student population of just under 57,000, offers a certificate program in music production. The certificate can be earned in four semesters (roughly two years) and costs $811 per semester for Texas residents without an associate’s degree.
Houston Baptist University
Houston Baptist University’s Music Department is an excellent place to study music and learn about production. The faculty at HBU teach a wide range of courses, from jazz piano to string arranging, but the Music Production major is hands down the most popular program among students.
Not only does it offer a wide range of classes on recording and mixing, but the Music Production department also boasts an impressive degree of success.
For aspiring music producers who want to get started as quickly as possible, HBU offers a Bachelor’s and Master’s program that focuses exclusively on teaching audio recording and production skills.
MediaTech Institute
Located in Dallas, MediaTech Institute is a place that provides students with many different learning opportunities. From undergraduate to graduate-level programs, this institute has it all.
When you start attending MediaTech Institute, you will find out that they offer the following programs: Audio Engineering Technology (AET), Recording Arts Technology (RAT), the Master of Music Industry and Entertainment Technology (MMITE) program, and the Graduate Certificate in Entertainment Technologies program.
The AET program is great for those who want to become a technician or an engineer for live music events as well as studio recording sessions.
On the other hand, the RAT will help graduates land jobs as audio (sound) editors and engineers at different studios around town.
Also, MID graduates will have a better chance of working as music producers or music video directors because they can now get degrees that are related to their field of interest.
Lastly, if you’re interested in working on movies or video productions with audio components, then this certificate would be perfect for you!
The tuition fee is pegged at $22,805 annually on College Monk.
Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University is not among the elite music production schools in Texas, but it does enough to be a great music production school for entry-level students. Unlike colleges like Houston University where it is difficult to get in, TSU is quite the opposite. In addition, they offer an undergraduate Bachelor’s.
Alvin Community College
Alvin Community College is an excellent institution for those looking to study music production in the Houston, Texas area. Since 1931, the school has helped freshen up the local music scene with graduates who have gone on to become well-known musicians and composers, as well as sound engineers and record producers.
Clubs and organizations run by current students can provide you with even more hands-on experience in your desired field. The school’s Audio Production Club organizes fun events that put help you hone your skills in making beats, mixing tracks and engineering audio for video or film.
The Art Institute of Houston
If you want to learn the basics of recording music and sound editing, the Art Institute of Houston is a good place to start. The school has its recording studio, which offers students the chance to make their music or work on other people’s songs while they’re learning the basics.
The school also offers audio production classes that teach students how to edit and mix audio tracks and put together sound effects and loops for use in podcasts and video games.
Lee College
Lee College in Baytown has the distinction of being both one of the oldest music programs in Texas (founded in 1947) and one of the newest (opened in 2007).
Their music program is structured to meet the needs of students who will pursue a baccalaureate degree in Music.
San Jacinto Community College
San Jacinto Community College is a community college located in Pasadena, Texas. Founded in 1961, it was the first public community college to be established in the state of Texas.
San Jacinto College has a total of five campuses throughout the Pasadena area.
It is the largest community college in the Houston area and one of the fastest-growing colleges in the state.
As you can see from these facts, San Jacinto Community College has an extensive history and great reputation for providing quality education at an affordable price.
If you’re looking for great local music production schools near you, this might be just what you need.
What are your thoughts about these music production schools in Houston, Texas?
What to Consider When Looking for a Music Production School in Texas
For those of you considering a music production career, or anyone who wants to broaden their sound-producing skills, the right school can make all the difference.
The majority of these Music Production Schools in Texas offer degree programs that provide options in various aspects of music production. Some schools focus on recording and mixing, while others focus more on songwriting and performance.
Since there are so many types of music producers out there, we’ve narrowed down our top picks to help you find the school that’s right for you.
However, you still have the big decision to make on where you want to kickstart your music career. When looking through the music production schools in Texas, some key things that will enable you to figure out what you want in a music production school are:
- Cost of music production schools in Texas.
- Programs are offered in the music production schools in Texas.
- Distance, and
- Conducive learning environment.
However, we have made it simpler for you with this list of music production schools in Texas. Choosing what music school you want to enrol in can make all the difference.
Wrapping It Up
In Texas, there are a lot of options for individuals looking for music production schools in Texas.
Whether you want to plunge headfirst into the audio technology field or make your way up to audio engineer, these are some excellent schools offering training in these fields available throughout the state.
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