The College of Saint Rose in Albany has announced the institution will not operate beyond the Spring 2024 semester, citing enormous financial debt and insufficient resources to continue. The loss is significant for the area’s economy, with many wondering what will happen to the pristine academic buildings and equipment. One of the biggest losses is the valuable Music Industry program.
The College of Saint Rose was cited by Billboard as having one of the best music business programs in North America, setting students up for success in the fast-paced environment that is the music industry. Those in the program were instructed in three areas of study: songwriting and composition, audio recording and music production, and music business and entrepreneurship. Those interested in the business side of the industry could also enroll in the Music Business program, learning more about music management, publishing, entertainment law, marketing and sales, and more.
The Music Industry Program allowed students to learn many different and important skills. Featuring state-of-the-art recording studios, students could learn to engineer, mix, and compose music, as well as use the college’s audio post-production rooms, television and radio studios, computer labs, and the showcase studio. Students could even learn how to press vinyl in the analog recording and record-cutting station.
One of the most interesting parts of the program was the in-house record label Rose Record, which celebrated its tenth anniversary this year. The label allowed students to work in different departments, from engineering entire records or singles, radio promotion and distribution, voting on potential clients, or as the potential artist working with the company. The website for the label states its mission is to “develop an elite catalog and promote original music by creating and collaborating through the innovations of rising talent,” something of critical importance that is now lost with the decision to close the institution.
The music program required internships, setting students up in some of the top cities in the industry, including Nashville, New York City, Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, and more. Another interesting about the Music Industry program was the senior Capstone, where students create a full-length CD written, produced, engineered, performed, and recorded in the Saints and Sinners Recording Studio. Alumni of the State Rose program went on to work at various places, including Equal Vision Records, Hopeless Records, SONY, ASCAP, Universal, and more.
The past few years took a toll on the program, with several cuts and faculty changes. News 10 in Albany reported that alumni and adjunct professor at the college, Kelly Bird, is looking into trying to save the Hearst Communications Center, turning it into an independent center.
One of the biggest losses, besides the music program itself, is the loss of the beautiful and acoustically superior Massry Center for the Arts. It was a creative showcase not only for the Saint Rose community, but for distinguished artists, musicians, vocalists, and orchestras from around the world, featuring 46,000 square feet. Picotte Recital Hall featured geothermal heating and cooling helping to make it more energy-efficient than a comparable, conventionally constructed building. Unfortunately, the venue hadn’t had performances since COVID, leaving the venue now to collect dust until people buy it.
The College of Saint Rose’s Music Business and Music Industry programs set up many for success, teaching students valuable production, songwriting, management, and business skills to help them in the difficult music industry. Unfortunately, such an outstanding program is being lost with the closure of the institution, and hopefully, those in the program can find another equally good institution to finish their studies.
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