The M.M. program in music performance is constituted of 36 credits that can be completed in three or four semesters. Incoming graduate music students are required to pass Departmental Graduate Exams in music theory, aural comprehension, and music history. Graduate classes in music aesthetics, research, theory, literature and performance practices are available.

Woodwind students have myriad performance opportunities. Our resident ensembles—The Quintet of the Americas, The New Hudson Saxophone Quartet, and the NYU New Music and Dance Ensemble—offer extraordinary opportunities to interact and perform with leading instrumentalists and artists. In addition, ten chamber music concerts each year provide woodwind students with opportunities to play in woodwind quintets, quartets, and trios as well as with other mixed ensembles taught by our leading chamber music faculty. The Symphony and Repertory Orchestras (with guest conductors such as Tania Leon and Gunther Schuller) present several concerts each year including concerto competitions. Additional orchestral experiences are available in fully staged opera, music theatre productions, recording studio dates and film scoring projects produced by leading Broadway and major opera company music directors.

Students enjoy weekly private study with renowned woodwind faculty that includes some of the most distinguished players of our time. Our faculty have performed with the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera and many other renowned organizations.  Students and faculty meet for  weekly repertoire classes where they share performances and insights in master class settings.

One solo graduate recital is required, usually given in the last (3rd or 4th) semester. Related to the recital is a manageable research project that examines a piece or set of pieces on the recital program from the standpoint of music history, music theory/analysis, and/or performance practices.

In addition to intensive training in woodwind studies, we offer elective courses and internships in our acclaimed music business, music technology, music education, and jazz programs that prepare our woodwind students to successfully meet the challenges and opportunities of an ever-changing profession.