Dartmouth Launches New MFA Program in Sonic Practice; Now Accepting Applications for Fall 2025
# Dartmouth’s MFA in Sonic Practice: A Pioneering Program for Sound Artists and Scholars
Dartmouth College has launched an innovative and fully-funded **MFA in Sonic Practice**, designed for composers, artists, and scholars who engage deeply with sound across diverse creative and intellectual disciplines. As sonic art increasingly intersects with technology, culture, and politics, this unique three-year program offers a compelling space for those interested in the expansive possibilities of sound.
—
## ### The Sonic Practice MFA: A Deep Dive into the Power of Sound
This fully-funded graduate program brings together a **close-knit community of makers and thinkers** who share a profound interest in exploring sound’s visceral, aesthetic, and social potential. Students investigate how sound not only moves bodies and stirs emotions but also shapes cultures and perceptions. The program is designed for individuals who aim to push the boundaries of what sound can do, not just within the traditional paradigms of music and composition but also in art, performance, installation, and scholarly research.
### **Interdisciplinary Approach**
By fostering a dialogue between sound and other media, the program encourages students to integrate experimental and hybrid practices that cross disciplinary lines. Dartmouth’s Sonic Practice MFA is particularly suited for artists and scholars **with a history of independent creative work** who are looking to develop their ideas further within a stimulating, collaborative environment. Each applicant is expected to demonstrate a solid portfolio that indicates a commitment to experimental or cross-disciplinary artistic practices.
#### **Curriculum Tailored to Individual Growth**
One of the program’s standout qualities is its flexibility. Through personalized mentorship from Dartmouth’s distinguished faculty, students can deeply engage with their self-directed research and creative projects. The program leverages **one-on-one conversations with faculty, seminars, group critiques, and cross-disciplinary classes** to foster critical and technical skills. This mentorship approach allows students to explore their interests while being supported by rigorous academic frameworks and collaborative feedback.
### **A Home for Hybrid Practices**
The MFA in Sonic Practice welcomes artists who challenge conventional norms, offering an open pedagogical structure to those who are comfortable in **self-motivated learning contexts**. This program is particularly attractive to creative practitioners who experiment across genres, mediums, and artistic forms. **The curriculum honors artistic autonomy**, fostering a space where students can combine theoretical work with hands-on creative production.
The program helps students hone the technical tools required for innovative sound applications while embracing **intersectional approaches** that wrestle with the politics of sound and listening. Students investigate how sound interacts with cultural, social, and political frameworks, prompting critical inquiry into the **aesthetics and ethics** of auditory practices.
—
## **Full Funding and Exceptional Resources**
A significant feature of the MFA in Sonic Practice is that all students receive full financial support. Dartmouth provides:
1. **Full Tuition Waiver**: Eliminating the financial burden of graduate tuition.
2. **Health Insurance**: Offering complete coverage for healthcare needs.
3. **Living Stipend**: A generous stipend of **$47,000 per year** for the 2024–25 academic year to cover living expenses.
4. **Relocation Bonus**: Students are also given a one-time bonus to help with moving expenses.
These financial tools are aimed at ensuring students can immerse themselves fully in their creative and scholarly work without the pressures of external financial concerns.
## **World-Class Facilities**
Students in Dartmouth’s MFA in Sonic Practice have access to state-of-the-art facilities, offering a robust technological toolkit tailored for contemporary sonic experimentation:
– **The Warehouse**: A cutting-edge, 24-channel spatial sound studio specifically designed for immersive audio projects. This facility enables students to work on complex sound installations and performances that involve precise spatial audio control.
– **Bregman Electronic Studio**: A vintage analog synthesizer haven complemented by an 8-channel system, ideal for artists interested in the history of electronic music or those who want to dive into analog sound synthesis and manipulation.
– **Sudikoff Makerspace**: A dynamic creative lab equipped with sensors, soldering irons, and other tools for building custom electronic instruments or interactive installations. It’s a space where hardware meets creativity, offering endless possibilities for sound-based projects.
– **Hallgarten Clubhouse**: Each student is provided with their own workspace, fostering an intimate cohort experience where collaboration and ideation can flourish.
—
## **Best Suited for Independent and Critical Thinkers**
While the program provides foundational support and resources, it is particularly well-suited for independent-minded creators. **Students who thrive in environments that emphasize academic independence**, self-directed inquiry, and critical dialogue will find their practices well-nurtured at Dartmouth.
—
## **Join the Virtual Open House**
To offer prospective students a closer look at the program, Dartmouth is hosting a **Virtual Open House on Thursday, December 5, from 12:00 to 1:30 PM (ET)**. The open house is an ideal opportunity for applicants to learn more about the curriculum,