Drexel Summer Music Technology Program

The College of Engineering Summer Music Technology (SMT) Program is an innovative, one-week learning experience that provides twenty rising high school sophomores and juniors with a unique opportunity to learn about music production technology and digital audio from Drexel faculty and students. This program approaches music and audio technology from the perspective of engineering, mathematics and science. Some questions that will be explored during the one-week program include:

• What technologies do artists use to record and produce their albums?
• What is mp3, and how does your computer convert sound into an mp3 file?
• How do music players (like the iPod) work, and how hard is it to build one?
• What is digital sound, and how do math and physics help us understand sound?
• How can we use computers to synthesize and manipulate sound and sound effects?

Activities

This program is designed for commuter students. Students will participate in activities from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily in Drexel classrooms and laboratories.

Cost

There is no cost for participation in the SMT program. Lunch will be provided each day of the program. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from Drexel.

Eligibility

Admission to the SMT program is not based solely upon academic achievement. The program is designed to broaden participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, as mandated by the program's support from the National Science Foundation.

We carefully review every application, but resources and available equipment limit us to approximately 20 students each summer. Each year, we have to make difficult decisions to ensure a broad, enthusiastic and diverse cohort of participants. In particular, priority is given to students entering 10th or 11th grade in Fall 2012 (rising sophomores and juniors). Prior music experience is not required, but applicants should demonstrate a particular enthusiasm for music.

Application

Participants in the SMT program will be chosen through a selective application process including short essays and a letter of recommendation. To begin the application process, fill out the online application and submit all required materials no later than Friday, April 15. All decisions will be made and all students will be contacted by May 16.