The 2025 Guthman Musical Instrument Competition, held on March 8 at the Ferst Center for the Arts, attracted participants from around the world eager to demonstrate their inventive musical instruments. Musicians, engineers, and designers from diverse backgrounds came together to showcase their groundbreaking creations, ranging from AI-driven instruments to new methods of sound generation and performance. This annual competition provided a stage for visionaries who are redefining how music is composed, performed, and experienced. “This competition is really about taking advantage of what we do well at Georgia Tech: bringing together engineering, design, and music technology to create something that exists at the intersection of science and art,” says Jeff Albert, Interim Chair for the School of Music and head of the competition.

The event’s record-breaking media coverage highlighted the cutting-edge possibilities of music technology, drawing attention to the intersection of engineering, design, and artistry. Reporters, industry experts, and tech enthusiasts marveled at the ingenuity of this year’s entries, which included instruments that used machine learning, gesture controls, and immersive spatial sound. Beyond just an exhibition, the competition sparked important conversations about the future of music, emphasizing how technology can enhance creativity rather than replace it. For Georgia Tech students, faculty, and attendees, the Guthman Competition wasn’t just a showcase—it was an opportunity to engage with the next generation of musical innovation and be part of the evolving landscape of music technology.

Alongside the Guthman Competition, the 3D Music Composition Contest was presented by the Georgia Tech Center for Music Technology. This award celebrates excellence in 3D music composition, recognizing artists who push the boundaries of traditional sound design. By encouraging innovative approaches to music creation, the contest fosters experimentation with spatial audio, giving composers the opportunity to craft immersive sonic environments. The competition serves as both a showcase of cutting-edge technology and a platform for musicians to explore new artistic dimensions in sound.

A standout aspect of this contest is the use of advanced spatial sound systems designed to create a fully three-dimensional listening experience. Unlike traditional stereo, which limits audio to a left-right spectrum, these systems allow sounds to be positioned dynamically within a 360-degree space. The compositions are experienced within the 3DBox on campus, an advanced audio environment where sound can move fluidly around the listener, creating a heightened sense of depth and realism. This technology opens new possibilities for composers, enabling them to craft pieces that envelop the audience in a way that conventional audio systems cannot achieve. More than just an event, the 3D Music Composition Contest reflects the experience of a music technology student at Georgia Tech—not just learning about the future of music, but actively shaping it.

The innovative spirit at Georgia Tech’s School of Music extends beyond competitions. A perfect example is the AI-driven robot musician, medusai. Created with eight mobile arms made of beautifully fabricated steel, medusai can play percussion and strings with human musicians, dance with human dancers, and respond in real-time to multiple human observers. Using AI-driven computer vision, medusai knows where human observers are and responds accordingly through complex gestures, music, and light. According to Gil Weinberg, the director of Georgia Tech’s Center for Music Technology, the project was designed to intentionally provoke thought about AI’s risks and benefits. “Something can start out beautiful, with good intentions, a promise of being godly, and then things can go wrong,” Weinberg said. The medusai project captures both the intrigue and unease surrounding AI, highlighting the School’s willingness to explore controversial yet fascinating intersections of technology and music.

The School of Music continues to build on its innovative momentum through educational programs, research opportunities, and industry partnerships designed to inspire creativity and technological advancement. With a strong commitment to hands-on learning, students engage in projects that push the boundaries of what is possible in music technology, from developing groundbreaking instruments to designing new methods of sound synthesis and performance. Whether exploring uncharted sonic landscapes or enhancing traditional instruments with cutting-edge technology, Georgia Tech’s School of Music is shaping the next generation of musicians, engineers, and researchers who will redefine the art and science of music.

Beyond higher education, the School of Music invests in the future by fostering interest in music technology at the K-12 level. Through partnerships such as its involvement with the Atlanta Science Festival—where the Guthman Musical Instrument Competition was featured—Georgia Tech provides young students with opportunities to experience the intersection of music and technology firsthand. Outreach programs, workshops, and demonstrations introduce budding innovators to the creative potential of sound engineering, digital composition, and instrument design, ensuring that the pipeline of musical technology talent remains strong. With the Guthman Musical Instrument Competition and the 3D Composition Contest serving as catalysts for creativity, Georgia Tech is proving itself to be a powerful force in the evolution of music technology. As the world looks toward the next chapter in musical innovation, Georgia Tech stands ready to provide the soundtrack, inspiring both current students and future generations of creators.