Key Takeaways
- The Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester will launch a new Bachelor of Music in Music Creation and Technology beginning fall 2027.
- Dennis DeSantis ’05E (DMA), associate professor of music and technology and former head of music learning at Ableton, will lead the program.
- Core coursework emphasizes electronic music production and performance, sound design, recording and editing, DJing, and the development of music‑focused software and hardware.
- The degree is housed in the newly created Department of Sound Arts and Engineering, an interdisciplinary collaboration between Eastman and the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences.
- Faculty affiliated with the department also contribute to SoundSpace, a transdisciplinary research center advancing URochester’s leadership at the intersection of music, engineering, and digital innovation.
- Students will benefit from hands‑on studios, industry‑grade equipment, collaborative projects, and pathways toward careers in production, sound art, audio engineering, interactive media, and music technology development.
- The initiative reflects URochester’s broader strategic vision to fuse artistic creativity with engineering rigor and emerging technologies.
Program Overview
The University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music announced a pioneering Bachelor of Music (BM) in Music Creation and Technology, set to welcome its inaugural class in fall 2027. This undergraduate degree is tailored for students whose musical practice is rooted in electronic and digital technologies, offering a curriculum that blends artistic training with technical proficiency. By positioning the program at the nexus of composition, performance, and innovation, Eastman aims to cultivate a new generation of musicians who are as comfortable soldering circuits as they are shaping soundscapes. The degree represents a significant expansion of Eastman’s offerings, responding to growing demand for education that prepares artists for the rapidly evolving landscape of contemporary music production and media.
Leadership and Faculty Expertise
At the helm of the new major is Dennis DeSantis ’05E (DMA), an associate professor of music and technology whose career bridges academia and industry. Prior to joining Eastman, DeSantis served as the head of music learning at Ableton, where he helped shape educational resources for one of the world’s most influential digital audio workstations. His background equips him to guide students through both the creative and technical dimensions of modern music making. Complementing his leadership, the program will draw on a roster of faculty members who possess deep expertise in electronic composition, sound synthesis, audio engineering, and interactive media, ensuring that instruction remains grounded in current practice and scholarly research.
Curriculum Focus Areas
The BM in Music Creation and Technology centers on five interrelated pillars: electronic music production and performance, sound design, recording and editing, DJing, and software/hardware development. Students will engage in project‑based courses that teach them to compose and arrange using digital audio workstations, synthesize timbres through modular and software‑based instruments, and craft immersive sound environments for film, games, and live performance. Recording and editing modules cover microphone technique, signal processing, mixing, and mastering, while DJing classes explore turntablism, controllerism, and live remixing. Finally, the software/hardware strand introduces programming languages such as Max/MSP, Pure Data, and Python, alongside hands‑on work with microcontrollers, sensors, and custom instrument building, empowering learners to create their own tools for musical expression.
Interdisciplinary Department Structure
The degree resides within the newly established Department of Sound Arts and Engineering, an academic unit that intentionally bridges the Eastman School of Music and the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences. This structure reflects a deliberate effort to dissolve traditional silos between artistic and technical disciplines, fostering a collaborative environment where musicians and engineers co‑design curricula, share laboratory spaces, and undertake joint research initiatives. By housing the program in this interdisciplinary department, the university ensures that students receive balanced instruction that honors both the aesthetic imperatives of music and the rigorous problem‑solving methodologies of engineering.
Collaboration with Hajim School of Engineering
Partnering with the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences brings substantial resources to the music creation curriculum. Engineering faculty contribute expertise in signal processing, acoustics, embedded systems, and human‑computer interaction, while offering access to state‑of‑the‑art fabrication labs, electronics workspaces, and computational facilities. Joint courses—such as “Audio Signal Processing for Music Applications” and “Interactive Instrument Design”—co‑taught by professors from both schools enable students to apply engineering principles directly to artistic challenges. This collaboration also opens pathways for capstone projects that might involve developing novel audio plugins, designing haptic feedback controllers, or creating spatial audio installations for immersive venues.
Role of SoundSpace Research Center
Faculty affiliated with the Department of Sound Arts and Engineering also participate in SoundSpace, a transdisciplinary research center dedicated to advancing URochester’s leadership at the intersection of music, technology, and engineering. SoundSpace supports faculty‑led investigations into topics such as machine‑learning‑assisted composition, bio‑feedback‑driven performance interfaces, and sustainable audio technologies. The center provides graduate and undergraduate research assistantships, hosts visiting scholars, and organizes symposia that showcase cutting‑edge work. For BM students, SoundSpace offers opportunities to engage in research assistantships, contribute to publications, and prototype innovations that may later evolve into commercial products or artistic installations.
Student Opportunities and Career Pathways
The program emphasizes experiential learning through access to professional‑grade studios, live‑performance spaces, and maker labs equipped with synthesizers, drum machines, audio interfaces, and portable recording kits. Internship placements with recording studios, game audio companies, hardware manufacturers, and arts organizations are facilitated by the university’s career services and industry partnerships. Graduates are prepared for diverse careers including electronic music producer, sound designer for film and games, audio engineer, interactive media developer, music software programmer, and entrepreneur launching their own music‑tech ventures. The blend of artistic depth and technical versatility aims to make alumni highly adaptable in a job market where hybrid skill sets are increasingly prized.
Admissions and Inaugural Cohort Timeline
Prospective students will apply through the Eastman admissions portal, submitting a portfolio that demonstrates both musical creativity and technical engagement—such as original electronic compositions, DJ mixes, sound design projects, or hardware builds. The admissions committee will evaluate artistic promise, academic readiness, and motivation to work at the music‑technology frontier. The first cohort is slated to begin coursework in fall 2027, allowing ample time for curriculum finalization, faculty hiring, and the outfitting of dedicated instructional spaces. Orientation events will introduce incoming students to the interdisciplinary community, SoundSpace initiatives, and collaborative projects that will define their undergraduate experience.
Broader Institutional Vision and Impact
The launch of the BM in Music Creation and Technology encapsulates URochester’s strategic commitment to fostering innovation at the convergence of art, science, and technology. By investing in a degree that marries rigorous musical training with engineering competencies, the university signals its intent to be a leader in educating the next wave of creators who can navigate and shape the digital cultural landscape. The initiative also strengthens regional economic development by supplying skilled talent to the growing music‑technology sector in upstate New York and beyond. As the program matures, it is poised to contribute novel research, artistic works, and technological advances that reinforce the university’s reputation as a hub where creativity and technical excellence coexist and amplify one another.
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