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The University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music has received a historic multimillion-dollar gift from two alumni, Joan and Jeff Beal. The funds are expected to equip graduates for 21st-century careers in music, officials say.
UR did not disclose the amount of the donation, but said it is the largest individual gift made to the school since George Eastman established it in 1921.
The gift will build on Eastman’s Beal Institute for Film Composition and Contemporary Media, which the couple established in 2015, UR says. This year’s donation will help expand the institute and provide funds for new undergraduate and graduate programs and scholarships. It also will assist with facilities, technology and innovation.
“We are incredibly thankful to Joan and Jeff Beal for everything they have done in support of the Eastman School of Music and the University of Rochester,” says UR president Sarah Mangelsdorf. “This latest gift is another example of the many ways that they support the next generation of Eastman musicians.
“Their philanthropy will have a lasting impact. The Beals exemplify our Meliora mission—making the world ‘ever better’ every day. We are proud to count Joan and Jeff Beal as Rochester alumni and dear friends.”
UR trustee Joan Beal is a vocalist and advocate for music and education. Jeff Beal is an Emmy-winning composer.
“Jeff and I are who we are today largely because of the education, mentorship, and opportunities we received at Eastman,” says Joan Beal, cochair of UR’s For Ever Better campaign committee. “Staying connected with the school and the university has only deepened our appreciation for that experience.”
According to UR, the Beals’ gift will help with:
■ The Beal Innovation Hub: A new collaborative center to be located on the fifth floor of the Miller Center. The project will convert existing space into labs, creative studios, workstations, recording booths, and teaching areas. With the Beals’ gift, the renovation aims to modernize the facility and encourage collaboration. A key piece will be SoundSpace, a new center that brings together music and technology in partnership with the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
■ Scholarships: New scholarships funded by the Beals will expand Eastman’s financial aid offerings for both undergraduate and graduate students, helping the school compete for talent globally and make enrollment possible for students who might otherwise be unable to afford it.
■ Academic programs: The Beals’ gift includes seed funding for new undergraduate and graduate programs set to begin in fall 2027. Dennis DeSantis, recently appointed associate professor of music and technology at the Beal Institute, will lead the effort.
“This gift is really about giving back—making sure the next generation of musicians, innovators, and creators have the support and opportunities they need to grow and succeed in the ever-evolving technological and cultural landscape of music,” says Jeff Beal.
Smriti Jacob is Rochester Beacon managing editor.
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