“A great deal of work has gone into the creation of this program and we are pleased to offer a brand new entrance into the entertainment industry for this musically-inclined region,” said Danny Lawson, dean of business technologies.<\/p>\n
The program was initially approved by TBR as a technical certificate program in 2014. The degree program will give students the basic knowledge and real-world applications for sound and lighting production, the statement says. Courses will be offered at the college’s Bristol campus located at 620 State Street.<\/p>\n
“We really work hard to bring the real world applications for sound and lighting productions to prepare students for work in the industry,” said Jeff Little, entertainment technology program director.<\/p>\n
The curriculum trains students in entertainment business management, live sound, recording engineering, concert lighting, and electronic\/digital music.<\/p>\n
According to the statement, typical jobs include those related to lighting system production for events and concerts and setting up audio systems for event, concert, and recording productions.<\/p>\n
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for these types of technicians will grow nearly nine percent over the next 10 years, the statement says.<\/p>\n
“With churches and other events growing larger all the time, this program lends itself well to training those operating the sound and lighting equipment found in most churches,” Lawson said.<\/p>\n
Little believes the college should keep up with the pace of technology in the entertainment industry.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“We want to maintain the knowledge and skills that employers are looking for within the industry in both production and management, he said.<\/p>\n
Little is a musician who often plays with his band The Jeff Little Trio. He has also spent years working on the business side of the entertainment industry as a manager and tour manager for artists including Keith Urban, Montgomery Gentry, and John Michael Montgomery.<\/p>\n
Students interested in the entertainment technology degree program may reach Little by phone at 423-354-5216 or via email at jtlittle@NortheastState.edu. Information is also available by calling the colleges office of admissions and records at 800-836-7822 or by emailing admissions@NortheastState.edu.<\/p>\n