Program refocuses major to meet evolving industry demands

Inside the production studios at West Side, students master digital audio workstations with the same intensity their predecessors once applied to musical scales. This shift reflects a fundamental change in how musicians build careers in today’s digital industry—one that’s driving the evolution of the college's Music program.

Responding to this digital transformation, LC Music has rebranded one of its primary majors to Music Production & Audio Engineering. The new direction aligns the curriculum with industry standards and equips students for real-world success, merging modern music composition with essential audio engineering skills.

Freshman Rebecca Miranda is already experiencing the benefits. “My music classes have helped me not only to further develop and deepen my music understanding, but also to broaden my view on the music landscape of our current generation,” she said. “This understanding has helped me feel prepared for entering this industry after graduation.”

The program’s legacy of excellence is evident in alumni like Alonzo Harris ’04, who made history in 2024 as the first African American to arrange and perform the U.S. National Anthem at the Olympics. “My time at LaGrange College shaped me for moments like this,” Harris shared.

Lecturer Kelton Hunt, a 2019 graduate and current faculty member, noted, “The new name reflects what we teach and prepares students for the industry they’re entering.”

“There is a profound sense of community with the music program,” Miranda said. “Everyone knows everyone and West Side is a very personable place for musicians to work on their craft."

Students gain hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment in state-of-the-art facilities. The program’s strong musical foundation has produced accomplished alumni like Mitch Parks ’04, who toured as a guitarist for Ed Sheeran, and Grammy-winning producer David “Swagg R’Celious” Harris '08.

For aspiring music professionals, the program’s rebranded major is more than a course of study—it’s a launchpad to impactful careers in an ever-evolving digital landscape.