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NYU percussion students performing

Master of Music
Percussion Studies

Application Extended: Still Accepting Applications

Focus on percussion studies and gain the intensive performance training needed to launch your career as a professional musician by combining numerous performance opportunities with related academic study. You'll work closely with our renowned faculty – top commercial and symphonic percussionists – in weekly private lessons and participate in repertoire classes that focus on solo performance and pedagogy.

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Degree Details

Official Degree Title

Master of Music in Instrumental Performance with a Focus on Percussion Studies

Format
Full-time or Part-time
Credits
36
Start Date
Spring
Application Deadline
Start Date
Summer or Fall
Application Deadline

Your curriculum is designed with flexibility in mind to allow you to study and pursue your specific interests and musical goals. Your course work comprises a core of music research and music history/literature, as well as music performance, including private instruction, ensemble, repertoire, orchestration, and arranging classes. You can pursue your three elective courses in subjects such as music theory, performing arts administration, and other related areas of interest.

Throughout, you will also learn to analyze the performance practices, both historical and contemporary, that inform the performance of repertoire from the 18th–21st centuries, making you a more knowledgeable and passionate performer.

Live performance is a vital part of your education, and you'll have numerous opportunities to play, both within and beyond the NYU community, participating in percussion ensembles such as NYU Percussion Ensemble, NYU Percussion Chamber Music Ensemble, NYU Steel, and NYU African Gyil and Percussion Ensemble; jazz ensembles; the NYU orchestras; the University Concert Band; and New Music ensembles. You'll study and perform classics, experimental music, world music, commercial music with films, and with dance and mixed ensembles.

Whether you aim to become a performer, teacher, researcher, or administrator, our experienced faculty will provide you the real-world knowledge you need to help you succeed after graduation. 

Beyond your skills as a performer, you will also demonstrate and apply entrepreneurial skills essential to the real and varied world of the music profession – including concert programming, grant writing, promotional/audience development, website design, and press releases.

Questions 

If you have any additional questions about our degree, please feel free to contact Jonathan Haas at jonathan.haas@nyu.edu.