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Curriculum

MM, Instrumental Performance (Percussion Studies)

Prepare for your career as a professional percussionist in a uniquely creative, inclusive environment. In NYU Steinhardt’s unparalleled facilities, you’ll study with world-renowned artist faculty, exploring diverse musical traditions in concert music, contemporary musics, and jazz. In the context of our flexible curriculum, you'll increase the breadth of your repertoire and the depth of your knowledge, working closely with faculty mentors. Our program prepares graduates to act as musical innovators and teaching artists, changemakers, practitioner-scholars, and policy makers in communities, schools, and performing arts institutions worldwide. 

Core Course Sequence

While developing your technique and musicianship, you’ll be mentored by dedicated educators, internationally acclaimed artists, and respected commercial, symphonic, and chamber performers. You will participate in the NYU Percussion Ensemble, NYU Percussion Chamber Music Ensemble, NYU Steel, and NYU African Gyil and Percussion Ensemble. The NYU Symphony, NYU Broadway Orchestra, and NYU Contemporary Music Ensemble are just a few of the ensembles open to graduate students . Additional orchestral experiences are available through fully staged opera and music theatre productions, studio recordings, and screen scoring projects, directed by leading industry professionals. You’ll also engage with your peers across programs such as Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, Jazz, Composition, Dance Education, and Music Technology, accessing a powerful network of artistic inspiration and professional opportunity.

Culminating Experience

You will present a solo master's recital in your final semester. The recital experience includes a research component that examines performance practice from musicological, historical, or interdisciplinary perspectives.

Course Title Credits
Required Courses
MPAPS-GE 2111Percussion Instrmnt (Private Lessons 112
Performance
Select 14-17 units of the following:14-17
MPAGC-GE 2087
NYU Orchestra (or Broadway Orchestra)
MPAPS-GE 2131
Percussion Ensembles
MPAPS-GE 2221
Contemporary Music Ensemble
MPAPS-GE 2151
Percussion Laboratory
MPAPS-GE 2132
Chamber Ensembles
Culminating Experience1
MPAPS-GE 2181
Graduate Recital in Percussion
Electives
Select 6-9 credits by advisement.6-9
Total Credits36
1

Students take this 3 credit course every semester for a total of 12 credits.

Sample Plan of Study

Plans of study for all instrument areas are similar to the sample below for percussion studies.

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
MPAPS-GE 2111 Percussion Instrmnt (Private Lessons 3
MPAME-GE 2021 Music Reference and Research Materials 3
MPAPS-GE 2131 Percussion Ensembles 1
MPAGC-GE 2087 NYU Orchestra 1
MPAPS-GE 2151 Percussion Laboratory 1
 Credits9
2nd Semester/Term
MPAPS-GE 2111 Percussion Instrmnt (Private Lessons 3
MPATC-GE XXXXTheory Seminar 3
MPAPS-GE 2131 Percussion Ensembles 1
MPAGC-GE 2087 NYU Orchestra 1
MPAPS-GE 2151 Percussion Laboratory 1
 Credits9
3rd Semester/Term
MPAPS-GE 2111 Percussion Instrmnt (Private Lessons 3
MPAXX-GE XXXXCore Elective 3
MPAPS-GE 2131 Percussion Ensembles 1
MPAGC-GE 2087 NYU Orchestra 1
MPAPS-GE 2151 Percussion Laboratory 1
 Credits9
4th Semester/Term
MPAPS-GE 2111 Percussion Instrmnt (Private Lessons 3
MPAPS-GE 2131 Percussion Ensembles 1
MPAGC-GE 2087 NYU Orchestra 1
MPAPS-GE 2151 Percussion Laboratory 1
MPAPS-GE 2181 Graduate Recital in Percussion 1
MPAXX-GE XXXXElective(s) 2
 Credits9
 Total Credits36