St. Petersburg, FL--
You can study music at just about every college across the country.
However, in a bad economy, students that graduate have to have a lot of skills to survive.
At St. Petersburg Community College, students are learning all about the music business.
Retired guitar player Mark Matthews is an instructor for the Music Industry Recording Arts program. Besides playing instruments and working with recording equipment, students also learn about the technology of recording, microphone techniques, legal issues, and even marketing.
Student Melissa Harris is confident she'll not only survive in the business, but thrive.
"I have fun at school," Harris said. "It is really awesome because I might not still be in school. Nothing ever really challenged me or grabbed my attention."
Working on her own version of a Bob Marley song sounds like fun homework, but because anyone can go out and buy computers and speakers, is it really wise for students to pursue the business?
Matthews says the need for audio experts is greater than you think.
Matthews described a conversation he had with his students one day in class.
"I asked them did you listen to the radio when you came to the meeting, (and they answered) yes I did." Matthews said. "I asked them did you watch television last night. (and they answered) yes I did.
Matthews says there is a great need for technically sound people. He's also confident his kids will flourish in their field.
The former guitar player loves his job!
"This has been the most rewarding experience of my life (teaching these kids)," Matthews said.
About 80 students are now in the program.
For more information about the program, go to this site. http://www.spcollege.edu/spg/music/mira/index.htm
