LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Music is a huge part of Southwest Louisiana culture, and now McNeese State University is taking a step toward encouraging students to learn about the world of music production.
McNeese’s 2025-26 academic catalog includes a new major under the college of music.
“So you are still going to take your music theory, music history, your piano courses, but you’re also going to be taking courses like audio engineering, electronic music production, music technology, so it’s really going to prepare students for a career in 21st century music industry,” Professor Garrett Eckl said.
Beginning this fall, a music production concentration within the Bachelor of Music will be available for students like Berkey, a freshman music production major.
“On the music production degree, there are three elective tracks you can choose from: one in computer science, one in business, and one in digital media. I’m going to try to go through the business track. I’m also going to try to go for a minor or even a double major in business,” Berkey said. “So once I graduate in this degree, I have the musical knowledge as well as the business and hopefully get a job in the music industry somewhere.”
Another student, Peyton Redmond, explained what music production is.
“Music production can vary from us making the boom sound in a movie, us making a beat or tweaking a song, or just working on creating something, it’s everything,” Redmond said.
Professor Eckl encourages students to dive into the world of music.
“If you grew up songwriting and writing music with your laptop, you can declare your computer as part as your degree. So if you don’t have that traditional classical music background, we still want you to come out here and study at McNeese.”
Students will get hands-on experience with McNeese’s radio station, KBYS, as well as the theatre department.
If you’d like more information on the music production concentration, CLICK HERE.
Copyright 2025 KPLC. All rights reserved.