Courses

A study of the history & repertoire of contemporary music theatre, from its origins in the mid-19th century, through its first masterwork, Show Boat, to its current state. Trends & styles are discussed & illustrated.

A study of the history & repertoire of contemporary music theatre, from its origins in the mid-19th century, through its first masterwork, Show Boat, to its current state. Trends & styles are discussed & illustrated.

The goal of this course is to explore material from the music theatre repertoire in a way that continues to fuse knowledge from classroom work, voice studio, and stage experience when approaching an audition situation. Students learn how to draw upon individuality when selecting material that is both suited to their industry type as well as their other interests and talents. Students also continue to add repertoire to their “book” in preparation for a career in the business.

In this course students prepare to enter the professional world by means of creating and presenting an Industry Showcase for an invited audience of theatre professionals. The course includes repertoire investigation / selection, rehearsal for Showcase numbers, industry advice on type, wardrobe. Students also explore the techniques and skills of networking, unions, casting directors, agents, managers, and many business and “life as an actor” skills necessary for a career in the business.

This course is an acting class that is intended to further develop analytical and performance skills. Students work on scene and song material from music theatre scripts to assimilate what is learned in acting classes and song analysis. This class examines how we move from scene work into song, the impetus for the move, and how we can create truthful circumstances that support the work.

The Music Theatre Workshop is divided into specialized topics, such as voice and diction, song analysis, audition technique, and production. The emphasis of the workshop is performance, its techniques, its theory and its reality. Courses are taught by Broadway professionals active in the disciplines and who have extensive experience in education. Guest lectures share their experiences and lead seminars. Each workshop culminates with an end-of-semester critiqued performance. Students perform material regularly in class.

A historical and dramaturgical study of the American musical from its beginnings in 1880 to its modern form. Emphasis in placed on the evolution of the libretto and the integration of music, dance, and the spoken word. The study of character, plot development, and denouement are explored through performance.

This course introduces students to the basic elements of melody, harmony, and rhythm in music and how they combine to create musical meaning. A major emphasis of the course is hands-on music experimentation, including guided in-class performance and the use of music apps, software, and other technology. Students study a diverse body of musical examples drawn from classical, popular, and world music via projects completed in the classroom and in New York City. No prior musical experience required. This course does not count toward credits for the music major or minor

An introduction to melody, harmony and counterpoint in the music of diatonic tonality through projects in directed composition and analysis .

Further projects in diatonic tonality and an introduction to simple forms.

In this course students will follow up with their harmony studies. We will go through harmonic instances of advanced chromaticism of the late 19. century and up to the very edge of tonality. Emphasis will be put on assignments and exercises in order to develop good creative and analytical skills in harmony. Concurrently we will examine the main formal principles of tonal music and apply our knowledge in analysis of selected compositions. We will use various analytical approaches and test them on a large scale of historical musical material. Every student will be due to realize at least one analysis of assigned composition during the semester.

In this course students will deepen their knowledge of music theory. We will learn and practice advanced harmony and form in tonal music as well as selected topic of 20th century music theory and practice. We will start from chromatic harmony of the late 19. Century and go through instances of atonal, serial music up to special 20th century composition techniques and forms. Emphasis will be put on assignments and exercises in order to develop good creative and analytical skills. We will examine the main formal principles of post-tonal music and apply our knowledge in analysis of selected compositions. We will use various analytical approaches and test them on a large scale of musical material. Every student will be due to realize at least one analysis of assigned composition during the semester.

This course introduces students to the specialized discipline of teaching music theory. Through extensive study of recent debates, current scholarship, and online resources, students develop a broader understanding of the pedagogical context for undergraduate theory and aural skills training, and best practices for presenting these materials in a 21st-century classroom. With a defined focus on professional development, this course prepares students for college-level classroom teaching.

In recent years, there has been a marked increase in theoretical and analytical writing on musics that lie outside the European art music tradition. This course focuses on two traditions: North Indian Classical and Balinese gamelan music, incorporating transcription, analysis, and critical engagement with recently published theoretical writing. Students explore compositional and improvisational techniques, processes, and forms used in these musical traditions.

The Collegium is designed for all music therapy majors to discuss broad issues of the music therapy profession, career opportunities, and other professional and department matters. Special events with music therapy professionals from the community and abroad are schedule during this gathering.

The culminating experience for all students in the Master of Arts program in music therapy. This final written document reflects each student's clinical specialization within the field of music psychotherapy. Students integrate what they have learned in all aspects of the program by presenting case material from their clinical experiences with supportive theory and research. After the final project/thesis is submitted and reviewed, students present their ideas to the community in a final program meeting.

Supervised music therapy practice with children and adolescents with mental, physical and/or emotional problems in a variety of settings within the New York City area. A weekly seminar covers critical issues pertaining to assessment, treatment and evaluation of music therapy with these populations.