Sound engineering courses?

[Salvador]

I am a 15 year old student that is lucky enough to have a school that has a new semi-pro sound system.

Before we had this €60,000 (Aprox. £40,000) system we had a crummy old PA system which i alway had to improvise with to get it to do half of what was required...

I think that i am quite experienced for a 15 year old, i am currently head of the technical team here at my school.

I have developed a passion to sound engineering and it is what i would love to do for the rest of my life.

I am looking into my what i can do next year. i am finishing my GCSEs this year and would maybe like to a Btec on sound engineering (does this exist?) or should i go strait to find work at a studio or show production company. i found what looks like a good course on Music production and sound engineering at "Point Blank Music College" in London, does anyone now about this course?

Anyway i guess the major question is what do you advise me to do?

Thank you,
Salvador

[Simon Ryder]

Hi Salvador,
If you can stand it, I would suggest that you get yourself maths, physics and music A levels and then either do a degree in electrical engineering or acoustics. The other good option is Derby for their live entertainment degree. From an electronics degree it is very easy to learn audio and would leave your career path open to the more lucrative aspects of this industry ie equipment design as well as operation. Electronics and acoustics degrees have far more standing in the real world than sound engineering or media degrees.
To answer your question though, BTECs and City and Guilds qualifications do exist but they are little more than button pressing with no real theory to back them up, as are the vast majority of "sound engineering" courses offered in most places.
Whilst you study, it is a good idea to gain experience with a part time job at your local rental company/ theatre/ venue etc. But keep your options open and hang in with the studying. It is worth it.

[Salvador]

thank you Simon. One thing i forgot to mention but is pretty important...
I live in Portugal and go to an INTERNATIONAL school. I Want to go to england next year though.
I first thought of doing the A levels but was advised by my school's Theater/Creative Arts/Director/English teacher that BTECs would be a Little more suitable for me. But i do want to know the theory behind sound engineering, i already know how to push buttons...

thanks anyway you were a good help,

Salvador

PS. I was thinking for A levels: Physics, Maths, Music Technology.