Program Overview

TIMARA

Technology in Music and Related Arts (TIMARA) is for students who desire careers that combine traditional music skills with exploration of the latest techniques for electroacoustic musical expression. We offer a structured course of study that emphasizes the application of technology as a resource for careers in composition, new media, and performance.

person at electroacustic keyboard
TIMARA studios house a broad range of vintage and modern equipment.
Photo credit: Yingran Zhang '16

Program Facts

Chair

Tom Lopez ’89,
Professor of Computer Music and Digital Arts

Contact

Jeanne Rosecrans, Administrative Assistant
(440) 775-8297
jrosecra@oberlin.edu
Movie
The Silent Film Ensemble, shown in a working session, performs live soundtracks to films of all kinds—often in Oberlin's historic Apollo Theater.
Photo credit: Dale Preston ’83

Ensembles for TIMARA Students

TIMARA majors participate in diverse, eclectic ensembles for credit and for fun. Majors can choose to join one of the many faculty-organized ensembles—Oberlin Improvisation and NewMusic Collective (OINC), Silent Film Ensemble, Oberlin Synthesizer Ensemble, Creative Music Lab—or they can form their own!

Established by TIMARA students, the Silent Film Ensemble performs live, improvised avant-garde soundtracks to historic, surreal—sometimes homemade—films. Projects stem from collaborations between students in TIMARA and the Cinema and Media Program.

See More Performance Ensembles

Creating and Performing in TIMARA

Starting in their first semester, TIMARA students have their pick of opportunities to showcase creative work. Students can share their music with peers in one of our Electrophonics departmental concerts, contribute to one of many student-organized house shows, or present work in a class concert. The department also regularly hosts special symposia that often feature student contributions.

Learn more about the department and all of the opportunities in TIMARA:

timara.oberlin.edu

Sample Courses

  • TECH 201 - Computer Music (4 credits)
  • TECH 202 - Real-time Techniques (2 credits)
  • TECH 330 - Studio Recording (4 credits)
  • TECH 350 - Workshop in Music and Media Technologies (4 credits)
Curriculum and requirements

Upcoming TIMARA Events

View all events

TIMARA News

Meet the Conservatory’s Newest Tenure-Track Faculty

October 4, 2023

Five members of the conservatory faculty have been granted tenure-track positions beginning this academic year. They span the disciplines of music theory , composition , trombone , and TIMARA —...
Bibbins Hall in early autumn.
View all TIMARA news

Life After Oberlin

TIMARA graduates enter the next phase of their careers with robust creative portfolios, extensive technical experience, and connections to an expansive network of TIMARA alums who are eager to share their experiences. Oberlin TIMARA alumni pursue many different pathways and careers after graduation including:

  • Software engineer
  • Composing and producing content for radio shows and podcasts
  • Record label founders
  • Founding and leadership roles in music technology companies
  • Audio engineering
  • Sound design for theater and film
  • Hardware development
  • Studio management
  • Higher education faculty
  • Professional musician
  • Community engagement and work with social justice organizations

Notable Alumni

Cory Archangel ’00

Post-conceptual artist, composer, curator, writer, teacher.

Hunter McCurry ’10

Software engineer at Spotify.

Isaac Jones ’13

Technical producer and sound designer for WNYC’s “10 Things That Scare Me” podcast.