MIT launches new Music Technology and Computation Graduate Program

A new, multidisciplinary graduate program in music technology and computation at MIT will include faculty, labs, and courses from across the Institute.

This program is a collaboration between the Music and Theater Arts Section in the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (SHASS) and the School of Engineering. Faculty members for the program have joint appointments in the Music and Theater Arts Section, the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), and the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing.

“The launch of a new graduate program in music technology is both necessary and exciting — an important step in an era rapidly changing due to exponential growth in computation, artificial intelligence, and all kinds of human-computer interactions,” says Jay Scheib, head of the MIT Music and Theater Arts Section and the Class of 1949 Professor.

“Music plays a key role at the forefront of a remarkable blend of art and technology,” adds Scheib. “It’s the right time to launch this program, and if not at MIT, then where?”MIT defines music technology as a field where they explore and create new computational methods for music. This includes music information retrieval, artificial intelligence, machine learning, generative algorithms, interaction and performance systems, digital instrument design, conceptual and perceptual modeling of music, acoustics, audio signal processing, and software development for creative expression and music applications.

Eran Egozy, a professor of practice in music technology and one of the program leaders, says MIT focuses on technical research in music technology, always emphasizing the humanistic and artistic aspects of making music.

"There are many MIT students who are amazing musicians," says Egozy. "We'll approach music technology as computer scientists, mathematicians, and musicians."

With this new program, alongside offerings in MIT’s Media Lab and elsewhere, Egozy envisions MIT as the go-to place for students interested in studying music and computation. The program aims to prepare graduates for impactful roles in academia and industry while also nurturing creative thinkers who can address significant challenges.