Winthrop students are now being given a new opportunity as the music department introduces a new minor dubbed “musical technology”.
Ronald Parks, music department chair, said that music technology can be defined as “any music that needs to be powered on.”
“Musical technology can encompass so many things, but, basically it’s anything that you plug in or switch on that aids in the production, performance or the consumption of music. For example, electric guitars, microphones, PA systems and DJ equipment, just to name a few,” Parks said.
The minor is very broad within itself and there are countless careers that students at Winthrop can obtain with this minor. 
“We made a partial list of some of the professions where it’s necessary to have a good foundation in music technology to even think about entering in them,”said Parks. “Of course, creative artists use technology to produce art, producer, recording engineer, assistant recording engineer, production assistant, studio manager/owner, sound technician, acoustic consultant, live sound engineer, music technology manufacturer representative, interactive in mixed media specialist, recording company staff, music editor and audio development. That’s just to name a few.”
Parks said that this new minor is in response to the recent influx of technology in music.
“About 100 years ago, a very small percentage of music making, composing, and the forming of music contained any kind of technology at all. Now, those numbers are completely reversed. Close to 100% of music making, composition, production, and sharing happens with some form of technology involved,” Parks said.
With this minor, Parks hopes Winthrop students will have the tools to be successful in the field. For Winthrop students who would like to take their education a little further, they can sign up for this new minor.
Parks also said that the music department has submitted the minor to the state, in the hopes that it will be a new program and approved as a bachelor of arts with a concentration in musical technology. If accepted, students can sign up for this new minor as early as the spring semester.
