Eastman School of Music

05/29/2026

We are just three weeks away from the 2026 Rochester International Jazz Festival! 🎺 Taking place from June 19-27, this year’s lineup welcomes many musicians from ESM, ECMS & URochester back to the RIJF stage.

We are particularly excited about the annual Jazz Scholarship Concert on Monday, June 22, featuring this year’s RIJF/ESM Scholarship recipient—trumpeter Nathaniel France (pictured first in the gallery!) A senior at Webster Schroeder High School in Rochester, NY, Nate will be attending Eastman this fall to study with Clay Jenkins.

For a complete list of Eastman performances, and to learn more about Nate, visit our newsroom: https://www.esm.rochester.edu/esm_news/eastman-and-ecms-featured-in-the-rochester-international-jazz-festivals-23rd-edition/

05/27/2026

Are you a high school student interested in music production? If so, don't forget to submit your application to study with Professor DeSantis THIS SUMMER at Eastman! Apps are due by May 31, 2026: https://summer.esm.rochester.edu/course/eastman-music-production-summer-session/

Big thanks to Future Audiophile Magazine for highlighting our new BM in Music Creation and Technology!

Read more: https://futureaudiophile.com/eastman-school-of-music-at-the-university-of-rochester-launches-new-bachelor-of-music-bm-degree-in-music-creation-and-technology/

The University of Rochester's degree in Music Creation and Technology is a BM which is a bachelors on music

05/26/2026

Class of 2026! 📣 Your graduation photos, captured by Matt Wittmeyer, are now available for download.

Visit esm.rochester.edu/commencement and select the “Eastman Celebration Toolkit” for access to photos & video from Commencement weekend. Meliora!

🎥 Project Nova, a student saxophone sextet, performed “Prélude à la Kapustin” (2025) by Isaac Kirkland Boone ‘26E (MM)—a member of this year’s graduating class! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVu-XLuLpDM

On May 15, 2026, Project Nova (Saxophone Sextet) performed "Prélude...

05/21/2026

FACULTY APPOINTMENT: PIANO | Eastman is pleased to welcome Dr. Sarah Rhee ’01E, ’09E (DMA) back to her alma mater as assistant professor of piano pedagogy, beginning in the 2026-27 academic year.

“Eastman profoundly shaped me as a musician and educator, and the mentorship I received from my professors instilled in me a deep respect for artistic excellence, thoughtful pedagogy, and the importance of developing students both artistically and individually,” Rhee shares. "I am deeply honored and excited to return."

Recently serving on the faculty at Nazareth University, Rhee is a pianist and pedagogue who has performed internationally as both a recitalist and orchestral soloist.

Learn more:

Eastman School of Music announces that Sarah Rhee ’01E, ’09E (DMA) will join the faculty as assistant professor of piano pedagogy, beginning in fall 2026.

05/20/2026

We miss you already 🥹

05/19/2026

FACULTY APPOINTMENT: MUSIC THEORY | Announcing Erin Johnston as assistant professor of music theory, beginning fall 2026! “It is a tremendous honor to join the Eastman theory faculty,” says Johnston. “I have long admired Eastman’s extraordinary community of scholars, performers, and teachers."

Johnston’s research examines the influence of vocal music on the early symphonies of Gustav Mahler, with broader interests in musical form, music theory and aural skills pedagogy, and open-access principles in undergraduate music education. She comes to Eastman from New York University and the Mannes School of Music.

Learn more:

Eastman School of Music announced that Erin Johnston has been named assistant professor of music theory, beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.

05/18/2026

“Go out into the world, make beautiful music, [and] think about how music can bring people together.”

Alongside Dean Kate Sheeran, President & CEO of the New York Philharmonic Matías Tarnopolsky delivered this year’s graduation ceremony address, urging the Class of 2026 to remember just how powerful their craft can be ✨

“The world needs you, maybe more than ever, because you are the feelers and thinkers now.”

05/17/2026

Say hello to the newest class of Eastman alumni! 🎓 It’s been a privilege to watch you grow on Gibbs Street and we’re so excited to see where life takes you from here ✨ Congratulations, class of 2026!
 
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05/15/2026

Today's the day! 🎓 The Class of 2026 University of Rochester Commencement Ceremony celebrating ALL URochester graduates, and featuring a performance by the Eastman Wind Ensemble, is happening now!

Looking ahead, the Doctoral Graduation Ceremony is at 2 PM today, and the Eastman School of Music Graduation Ceremony is this evening at 6 PM!

Tune in to all of today's (5/15) festivities here:

Celebrate Commencement Weekend from anywhere. Tune in to live broadcasts of ceremonies and celebrations as we honor the Class of 2026.

05/15/2026

It was a wonderful week of celebrating our soon-to-be graduates 🥹💛 Cheers to the class of 2026! Tomorrow’s your day!