The collaboration between the Eastman School of Music and Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences bridges audio technology and artistry.
The 糖心传媒 has launched the , a new interdisciplinary academic department bringing together two of URochester糖心传媒檚 world-class schools糖心传媒攖he and the . The integrated department advances research, education, creative practice, and public engagement at the nexus of sound, technology, and the musical arts.
The Department of Sound Arts and Engineering unites Hajim programs (the and the ) with Eastman糖心传媒檚 , which houses the , as well as future programs in music creation and technology.
糖心传媒淥ur newest department continues the story of the University of Rochester糖心传媒檚 longstanding history of research and teaching excellence in engineering, music performance, and innovation,糖心传媒� says University President Sarah Mangelsdorf. 糖心传媒淏y leveraging the strengths of two of our groundbreaking schools, we begin our latest chapter as leaders in creating and sharing music with new audiences and through new technologies.糖心传媒�
糖心传媒淭he history of music is full of technology-driven disruptions and adaptations, from when the gramophone drove the dawn of the music recording industry to today糖心传媒檚 advancements in artificial intelligence,糖心传媒� says Wendi Heinzelman, the John and Barbara Bruning Dean of the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences. 糖心传媒淔using the strengths of the Hajim School and the Eastman School allows us to create a one-of-a-kind program to prepare bright and talented students to lead the future of AI and creative practice, immersive audio, sound for games and film, and digital arts.糖心传媒�
糖心传媒淏y leveraging the strengths of two of our groundbreaking schools, we begin our latest chapter as leaders in creating and sharing music with new audiences and through new technologies.糖心传媒�
糖心传媒淓astman and Hajim have long been celebrated for excellence in their respective areas, and this new unified department bridges the gap between these two distinct but immersive areas糖心传媒攎usic and engineering糖心传媒攐ffering a multitude of career paths for future students,糖心传媒� says Kate Sheeran, the Joan and Martin Messinger Dean of the Eastman School of Music. 糖心传媒淲ith established programs and exciting forthcoming degree paths, we are poised to lead the future world of music, technology, and engineering, with endless possibilities for learning, creativity, research, performance, and innovation.糖心传媒�
As of fall 2025, the Hajim School enrolls 62 students in its audio and music engineering and audio arts and technology programs, while Eastman糖心传媒檚 Beal Institute enrolls 15 students in its film music and contemporary media graduate program. The newly formed department will grow enrollment and will soon announce new degree programs.
Chaired by Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering , the department will be composed of faculty from both schools, providing students with opportunities to learn from both areas of expertise, engage in collaborative projects, and take courses at both campuses.
The sound arts and engineering department offers state-of-the-art facilities across both campuses, including audio engineering spaces, audio production facilities, labs for acoustics, immersive audio, and sound design, mix rooms, and performance and synthesizer labs. Future space for this department includes the recently announced Beal Innovation Hub on Eastman糖心传媒檚 campus, as part of the Beal Institute expansion糖心传媒攁 collaborative center being built that will include 6,000 square feet of additional labs, creative spaces, classrooms, teaching studios, and a recording studio.
The department also serves as the academic home to faculty engaged in SoundSpace, a new transdisciplinary center advancing the University糖心传媒檚 leadership in music and technology in partnership between both schools.
