Facilities and Resources
Discover state-of-the-art spaces for creativity and innovation in music
The Department of Music provides state-of-the-art facilities that inspire creativity and foster excellence. Whether you’re a performer, composer, scholar or educator, our spaces are designed to support your artistic and academic journey.
Sound Recording and Production is where technology meets creativity. Whether you’re crafting a new piece of music, experimenting with digital audio, or designing an immersive sound experience, our studios give you the tools and support to bring your ideas to life.
Our studios support a wide range of projects, including:
- Recording and Production – Learn to record live music and produce electronic tracks.
- Electroacoustic Music – Blend electronic and acoustic elements for unique sonic experiences.
- Real-Time Interactive Works – Compose music that responds to live performers.
- Multimedia Projects – Combine music with visuals, dance, film, or interactive tech.
You’ll get hands-on experience with top software like:
- ProTools, Ableton Live, Logic Pro
- Max/MSP/Jitter~, REAPER and more
Our courses cover everything you need to start producing music and sound in inventive and creative ways:
- Psychoacoustics and Acoustics – Learn how sound interacts with space and how we hear it.
- Digital Signal Processing – Discover how to shape and transform audio signals.
- Digital Audio Theory – Master the basics of recording, editing, and mixing.
- Electronic Music History – Explore the roots and evolution of electronic music.
Slee Visiting Professor Nina Young works with graduate students from the Department of Music and the Department of Media Study
Experimental Intermedia Space
Location: B1 Slee Hall
This cutting-edge space features an 18-channel Meyer audio system and a Nadia processor, perfect for spatial sound creation and multi-channel audio. It’s designed for collaboration across music, digital media and performance.
Includes:
- Multi-screen projection with laser projectors
- Ideal for interdisciplinary projects with Media Study and other departments
Slee Hall is a cornerstone of musical creativity and performance at the University at Buffalo. Connected to Baird Hall as part of the North Campus Academic Spine, it houses the renowned 670-seat Lippes Concert Hall, a stunning venue with variable acoustics, ideal for an array of performances and events.
Notable Concert Series
- Slee Beethoven String Quartet Cycle: An annual series of six concerts featuring the complete cycle of Beethoven string quartets, presented since 1955.
- Slee Sinfonietta: UB’s resident professional chamber orchestra performs four concerts each academic year, focusing on rarely-heard repertoire from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as contemporary avant-garde works.
- Slee Visiting Artists Series: Features world-renowned performers and ensembles such as the Arditti String Quartet, Ensemble InterContemporain, and soloists like Ursula Oppens and Lynn Harrell.
- Organ Recital Series: Highlights the versatility of the exceptional C.B. Fisk organ.
- Faculty and Student Recitals: Showcases the talent and hard work of UB’s music faculty and students.
- Ensemble Performances: Includes the UB Choir, UB Chorus, UB Symphony, UB Concert Band and other student ensembles.
The C.B. Fisk Organ
The centerpiece of Lippes Concert Hall, the C.B. Fisk organ, is one of the East Coast’s premier teaching instruments. It is notable for its:
- Mechanical-action design combined with state-of-the-art computerized electronic stop action.
- Timbral and registral diversity, perfectly suited to North-German Baroque, 19th-century French and early 20th-century repertoires.
- Influential construction, inspiring subsequent organ designs worldwide.
Baird Hall is the primary hub for the Department of Music, offering state-of-the-art facilities designed to support learning, rehearsal, and performance.
Facilities and Amenities
- Department Offices: Includes the Department Chair's office and the Office of Student Programs.
- Practice Rooms: 64 shared spaces equipped with pianos, available to all music majors.
- Ensemble Rehearsal Rooms: Includes two large rehearsal halls for group practice.
- Classrooms: Features updated audio-visual technology and large LCD screens, ideal for courses on film music and multimedia.
- Music Library: A robust resource for scores, recordings, and research materials.
- Percussion Studio and two organ practice rooms.
- Baird Recital Hall: A 150-seat venue perfect for chamber music, lectures, and multimedia presentations. Equipped with:
- A stage with professional lighting.
- A 5.1 surround sound system and a large projection screen.
- A control room for advanced production capabilities.
For over 50 years, UB has been a hub for innovative music creation and performance. The Robert and Carol Morris Center for 21st-Century Music, founded by composer David Felder in 2006, continues this tradition by hosting:
- June in Buffalo Festival: A world-renowned celebration of contemporary music.
- Slee Sinfonietta Concert Series: Professional performances of modern and avant-garde works.
- Guest Artist Series: Lectures, workshops, and performances by globally acclaimed musicians.
This center is dedicated to creating and producing new music while encouraging a spirit of artistic exploration and excellence.
Supporting both teaching and research, the UB Music Library is one of the region’s most comprehensive music collections, offering:
- Over 220,000 items, including scores, books, journals, and recordings.
- Access to digital databases for cutting-edge research.
- Resources for related disciplines like dance, theater, and anthropology.
The library’s mission extends beyond campus, serving the broader music community in Western New York.
The Slee Concert Office supports the University at Buffalo Department of Music’s robust schedule of performances, visiting artist series, and special events. In addition to presenting concerts in Lippes Concert Hall and Baird Hall, the office also manages venue rentals, providing UB departments and outside organizations with access to our premier performance spaces for a wide range of events.
- Concert Hall Rentals: Discover how you can host your event in our state-of-the-art venues.
- Concert Calendar: Stay updated on upcoming performances and events.
- Practice Rooms and Lockers: Reserve spaces and equipment to support your musical growth.
Event proposal forms collect details for scheduling departmental programs, while recording request forms secure audio or video support—both intended for internal UB Music Department use only.