What if your passion for producing beats, mixing tracks, or designing soundscapes could count toward your degree? This fall, the Blair School of Music introduces a new music technology minor built for Vanderbilt students who create music on their own terms. Led by Grammy-winning composer and producer Pascal Le Boeuf, assistant professor of the practice of music & technology, the program invites students from across Vanderbilt to explore sound and technology in innovative ways.
“This program allows students to engage with music in a way that reflects how many of them are already creating today,” said Melissa Rose, dean of the Blair School of Music . “It represents the future of music making and the kind of integrative education that Vanderbilt values.”
The new minor is intentionally structured to be accessible. Students do not need to play an instrument or complete the full music theory and performance core curriculum required of Blair majors. Instead, the program welcomes students from all undergraduate schools who have experience with or interest in music production, sound design, or digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Logic Pro, Ableton Live, or FL Studio.
“This is about access,” Le Boeuf said. “We are opening the doors to students who are already creating but do not see a place for themselves in traditional music programs. This minor reflects the evolving ways music is made, and who is making it.”
Blair’s music technology offerings have already attracted students from additional disciplines across campus and the new minor builds on that interest and offers a structured way to integrate creative work into academic study. This program supports Vanderbilt’s mission to foster collaboration across disciplines and equip students with the tools to lead in an ever evolving creative world. Whether students are developing apps, building media portfolios, composing for film, or exploring identity, the minor provides both mentorship and recognition for their work.
One of Le Boeuf’s recent students, Robert Tylman, a fourth-year computer science major, plans to pursue a career in audio software development. “Music technology bridges the gap between creative expression and technical innovation,” he says. “It explores sound design, acoustics, composition techniques, and mixing. It’s a dynamic field that continues to expand as new tools and technologies reshape how we create and experience music.”
How to Apply
To be eligible, students must complete MUTH 1200: Survey of Music Theory. They may also take MTEC 1340: Technology for Musicians, or request a waiver by demonstrating comparable experience.
After completing MUTH 1200, students can apply by submitting a portfolio that includes:
- Three contrasting, complete tracks (mp3 format)
- Screenshots of their DAW sessions
- A short narrative about their musical experience and creative goals
Applications are due by June 1, and there is limited availability of spots. Full submission requirements are available in this document.
“We are looking for students who are technically capable, creatively driven, and passionate about music technology,” Le Boeuf said. “If you are mixing, producing, or experimenting with sound in your free time, this is for you.”