e sing songs while commuting, hum catchy marketing jingles unthinkingly. These days, audio tracks freshen content of YouTube videos and podcasts, making even the mundane sparkle.
Recording Studio Supervisor Parish Dawe-Chadwick ’21 is a teaching lecturer in the digital music production and entrepreneurship program (DMP&E), a Cluster major that takes advantage of Plymouth State’s curricular interdisciplinarity. He explains that all music nowadays is digitally produced—and even digitally created.
“Many scores for major commercials, films, and TV shows have a ‘full orchestra’ backing them, but it’s all digital,” says Dawe-Chadwick. “You wouldn’t be able to tell the difference because samples are so high quality now. Digital has become so far reaching; it’s the mode of the industry.”
—Declan Agee ’27
Cluster majors are specifically designed to take advantage of the Cluster Learning Model’s power and flexibility. When the game design program was planned, market analysis indicated significant interest in freelancers and indie studios. This insight prompted PSU to take a unique approach by incorporating business courses. “We wanted our graduates to be able to understand the business of game design, as well as the creative aspects and the technological aspects of it,” says Professor and Program Coordinator Cathie Leblanc. “The goal is for graduates to have a well-rounded understanding of what the game design industry is all about.”
Cluster majors emphasize interdisciplinarity, and this year’s sustainability studies highlights included a White Mountains field class that combined environmental science, health, humanities, and sustainability programs with a weekend immersion component. “We make every effort to be innovative and create meaningful learning experiences,” says Professor and Program Coordinator Brian Eisenhauer.
The audio industry has more than blossomed; it has evolved. The University’s innovative curriculum helps digital artists master technical skills and test their mettle as independent business owners, and state-of-the-art equipment prepares students for successful solo entrepreneurship upon graduation.
The program is among the first in academia that combines digital music acumen with essential business know-how. Now in its second year, DMP&E welcomed 13 new student majors in fall 2024.
Professor Rik Pfenninger, now retired from PSU, envisioned the new blended program, which was further developed and debuted under the stewardship of Professor Jonathan Santore. A self-described “band kid,” Santore focused on singing, composing, and directing bands and choruses when in college and joined the Plymouth State faculty in 1994, where he’s been teaching composition and theory ever since; he’s also been an administrator and Academic Unit co-leader. His passion for every aspect of music helped him accept and ride the tidal wave of digital music. Currently on sabbatical, his “experienced ears” have continued to guide a new brand of musician: a digital creator.
Santore recognized Dawe-Chadwick, a graduate of the University’s music technology program, as a logical choice to become a DMP&E colleague. “He’s an active, sought-after professional in both digital music creation and audio production,” says Santore. “Students are drawn to his deep expertise and enthusiasm.”
As Dawe-Chadwick explains, “DAWs are the medium through with music is recorded, arranged, mixed, and mastered. DAWs allow us to combine digital elements—synthesizers, sampled instruments, etc.—with raw audio elements—a great vocal recording, a killer guitar take—in one space for the seamless creation of something beautiful.”
Steven Corum ’25 exemplifies what DAWs make possible. When Godzilla vs. Kong came out, he created his own version of the score using the free version of FL Studio.
Declan Agee ’27 and Matthew Whiting ’28 are among the many audiophiles who began experimenting with DAWs while in middle or high school. Agee combines his PSU studies with work as a stagehand at several venues in New Hampshire, gaining valuable hands-on experience with audio gear and live event setups.
This omnipresent industry moves and stirs the daily rhythms of our lives, and PSU’s innovative curriculum fits the bill for these motivated students. Recounts Agee, “The DMP&E program had everything I was looking for in a degree.”