Why Choose LVC?

Why You Should Attend LVC

LVC has been popular for generations of students and families mainly because it's a small college that cares about students. You have to come see the campus to appreciate the attractive landscape and facilities. You are not merely a social security number in class.

Our music programs have been mainstays of the College since it was founded in 1866. We have a solid reputation in music education and music technology.

The recording studios are state of the art. We feature both large-scale analog and cutting-edge digital, computer-based recording and production rooms. Scheduling is handled individually - you book time when you're free and the room is available. So, you have the opportunity to practice your engineering skills as long as you keep up with all your other coursework and rehearsal obligations.

The program is very hands-on intensive. Yes, you learn the theory behind everything, but you actually work on the gear throughout most of your time in school. Our graduates have a very solid grasp of how to function and work with real clients, because they do so much of it in the program. Professionals in the industry have commented on our graduates as being so much more mature and competent to work with, and that is a tribute to 1) the type of students we get, 2) the types of experiences we provide for them, and 3) the overall nature of a liberal arts college education.

Shopping Around? Here's What To Look For...

There are many flavors of music technology/audio engineering/music production/recording engineering/music business/etc. 4-year degree programs. We can't even agree on a common name for these types of programs. They differ mainly in focus (liberal arts vs technical program), quality and availability of facilities, and scope of experiences provided. As you visit various schools, ask the following questions:

What types of experiences do they provide?
You cannot focus merely on making records or just how to use Pro Tools. Your long-term goal is to have as broad an awareness and professional expertise as possible. You need to learn and practice the fundamentals in a variety of situations, but you also need to have opportunities to see the big picture of the industry, the significant changes taking place, and most importantly, learn how to interact and work with people. It's not about the knobs or software plug-ins.

What kinds of facilities do they have?
Go see them. You want to make sure they are not completely stuck in the traditional analog/large studio mode. Much of today's music production is done with computer-based systems, such as Pro Tools, and professional facilities are shying away from the large, expensive SSL and Neve gear. An ideal situation is to have both kinds of rooms. Many small, young programs do not have anything but inexpensive equipment, and this alone is not adequate. We also feel that new engineers learn better on analog equipment before transitioning over to digital and software systems, so a program that features only Pro Tools (or something similar) cannot provide as strong a foundation for developing true expertise as a recording engineer. We have three primary studios that feature a variety of analog and digital/software technologies.

What access do students have to the facilities?
Many schools have great gear, but students are not allowed in them except for very limited lab hours. Our students have 19-hour-per-day access which they schedule themselves. About the only limitation is their school and social schedule.

Does the school have external ties to the industry?
Do they sponsor seminars with industry professionals? Do students have opportunities to see commercial facilities and attend industry trade shows? We have a long list of interns and graduates, professionals who visit the campus for seminars, and a positive reputation in the industry for producing high quality graduates.

The Audition: A Critical Component

You must also successfully complete a music audition for acceptance into the Music Technology Program. Your high school music instructor or private lessons teacher will know how to help you with audition material and procedures. We recommend you audition in the fall if at all possible, or at least by early spring semester (assuming a fall semester enrollment).

Unlike many music schools, we do not run "cattle calls" four times or so per semester. Each audition is treated individually at your convenience. All you have to do is call our music office (717-867-6275) and a very friendly person will help set up a date with you and our faculty.

The audition consists of two musical components: performance on your major instrument and an aural skills evaluation (just to make sure you're not tone deaf). Included in the materials you'll receive when you request information on the program is a handy audition guide; this will help you in selecting material appropriate for such an audition.

During that day you will also meet individually with our department chair (another friendly person) as well as the director of the Music Technology Program. This provides you with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and see the facilities.

Ready To Apply?

The audition page (see menu on the left) will show you how to apply to LVC and set up an audition. Remember, auditioning for entrance into the Music Department is required for all our degree programs, so start planning now.