MusicTech reported that the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester plans to launch a new Bachelor of Music degree in Music Creation and Technology. Applications for the program open September 1, 2026, with classes beginning in autumn 2027. The curriculum targets students focused on electronic and digital technologies, offering coursework in production, sound design, recording, editing, DJing, and hardware development.
The degree operates within the newly formed Department of Sound Arts and Engineering, an interdisciplinary collaboration between the music school and the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences. According to MusicTech, the program includes cultural and historical analysis of music technology alongside technical training to foster inclusive artistic communities. Students will access a new 6,000-square-foot collaborative center featuring modern labs, classrooms, teaching studios, and a recording studio.
Associate Professor Dennis DeSantis, formerly the Head of Music Learning at Ableton, will lead the program. DeSantis previously contributed to the design of Ableton Live and Push. Dean Kate Sheeran stated the major positions students to lead future musical innovation. Virtual informational sessions with DeSantis are scheduled for late September and October to assist prospective applicants.
For more information, visit musictech.com.