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The School of Music recently partnered with the Data Science Program to launch an innovative and unprecedented music industry concentration.
This unique intensive program, the only of its kind nationally, incorporates music into the field of data science to create an interdisciplinary curriculum that allows students to explore both artistry and technical literacy.
Jake Herzog, coordinating assistant professor in the guitar and jazz department, wanted to give music faculty students the opportunity to explore the business side of the music industry. He also believed that the creative program needed to be open to more than just the performers.
“This new concentration expands the scope of music education,” Herzog said. “This allows students interested in music to become leaders in the industry, grow with an increasingly technical field, and support our mission to develop 21st century leaders in music.”
Students in this program graduate with a bachelor’s degree in data science with a focus in music industry data analytics (MIDA). All data science students take the same core courses, but each student is also required to formally declare a concentration course, such as her MIDA. MIDA works like a built-in minor course.
Several students have already expressed interest in the MIDA concentration, including Breck Husong, a second-year data science student from Cave Springs.
“The MIDA concentration is actually what drew me to the data science program,” Husong said. “As a lifelong musician, I never intended to make a career out of performing, so the introduction of the MIDA concentration was a pleasant surprise.I really enjoy programming, so the opportunity to program while also connecting with the music industry was great.”Me very attractive for. ”
Karl Schubert, associate director of the data science program, who brought MIDA from concept to reality, said the concentration’s vision is perfect for students with similar interests to Hewson.
“We are excited about the various opportunities this collaboration brings,” Schubert said. “The goal of our program is to prepare students for all kinds of careers, including high-tech fields of music.”
Additionally, the 21 credit hour MIDA concentration allows students to take a variety of courses related to music production, as well as introductory business and data mining courses that will help them succeed in the modern job market.
The Data Science program offers a bachelor’s degree in data science in a variety of concentrations through a joint effort of the U of A’s College of Engineering, the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, and the Sam M. Walton College of Business. Instructors across campus similarly collaborate to share their expertise through the programs many courses offer.
For more information about the Data Science program, visit datascience.uark.edu.