Nagler says a few committed Windows users begin the program vowing never to lay hands on a Mac. “By about the third or fourth week the couple of PCs we have are gathering dust and we suddenly have a bunch of Mac converts,” he laughs. “In fact, this morning I walked into class and two students had new iBook laptops and a third had bought a PowerBook! Having the laptops really helps students make the transition from learning a theory in class, to putting it into practice on their own.”

iLife Suite Eases Digital Transition

Students enter QCC’s music program with varying backgrounds and computer experience. Some are new to technology tools, others are English Language Learners, still others arrive without strong study habits. Nagler says the use of the Mac computers and applications such as the iLife suite help QCC’s diverse student body make a successful transition into the music program.

“We occasionally have students who come from the traditional conservatory background and are a bit fearful of computers,” he explains. “For those who are new to computing or new to the academic environment, we sit them down with GarageBand and iTunes and their fear immediately goes away. They become very accomplished very quickly and then are eager to go on to the next level.”

World-Class Training on World-Class Tools

Andrew Lyczkowski was one such student. A recipient of an Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) degree in Music Electronic Technology from QCC in June of 2004, Lyczkowski entered the college without much of an idea of what he wanted to do in life. But Lyczkowski now works as a second engineer at Quad Recording Studios in Manhattan, one of the city’s preeminent music production houses and the site of music projects for such notables as Madonna, Metallica and Ruben Studdard.

Mac OS X is probably the best operating system I’ve ever worked on. It has that core UNIX base that’s so reliable — it doesn’t crash and it’s very good with audio timing.

— Joseph Nagler

Says Lyczkowski, “While Quad may be worlds away from QCC’s facility, the techniques and principles I learned there still apply to what I do as a professional. The training I received at QCC was priceless — it allowed me to perform most of the functions of a second engineer with ease and familiarity.