Yes, but not as a freshman. Although MPAP students are not at all encouraged to double major, given the time-consuming nature of performance classes and rehearsals besides regular coursework, passionate and committed students may double major, pending a successful freshman year.

Yes. However, depending on the individual student’s circumstances and credit limits, some courses may be off-limits to Steinhardt students.

Here is one exception: School of Continuing and Professional Studies coursework cannot be used toward the degree.

The music theory placement test is required for all entering undergraduate music majors as part of the orientation process, and is now being administered online. You will receive details during orientation.

First, you must fill out an add/drop form (Program Change Form) and obtain your adviser’s signature. Next, bring the form to Registration Services (2nd floor of Pless Hall) and obtain a signature from Andrea Fannelli, David Zapotocky, or Jeanne Bannon. Then submit the form to the Registrar’s office (25 West 4th Street).

There are some courses that every MPAP major must take, such as the New Student Seminar and Collegium and Program Seminar. Each program also has its own required courses in addition to NYU’s liberal arts requirements. All students must meet with their adviser prior to registration to determine their coursework for that semester. For music theory and aural comprehension courses, all incoming undergraduate music majors must take the music theory placement test; the results of the exam determine the appropriate level for registration.

Freshmen are cleared for registration by Steinhardt in early June. When you first arrive at NYU, and during each subsequent semester, you will meet with your adviser in order to develop a long term plan, satisfying all requirements in your degree program of study; e.g. planning a four-year class schedule in the Music Business program allowing for prerequisites or preparing for internships as a junior/senior. Once your adviser has cleared you, you will be able to register for classes on Albert (albert.nyu.edu).

Students typically take 16 credits per semester. If you are placed into Basic Musicianship, you must register for 18 credits that semester. The credits earned in Basic Musicianship will not be used toward your degree. There is no overloading allowed. Students can receive academic credits from Advanced Placement exams, but course exemptions after placement exams do not count towards a student’s credit requirements. For example, placing into an advanced music theory or aural comprehension class means that you must compensate for those classes exempted with music electives. Students are reminded to keep track of their credits to make sure that they will have enough credits to graduate.

First, make sure you are registering for the correct class. Students frequently encounter this problem when they try to register for the wrong section or level (for example, a non-major trying to register for a majors-only class). For music theory and music history classes, fill out the Music Theory/History Registration Request. For many other academic courses, you may contact the course instructor or your adviser to receive an access code. For private lessons, please see registration instructions below.

You cannot retake the placement test, but you can fill out the Music Theory/History Registration Request to request the appropriate-level course.

Each program within the Music Department has its own advisors. Please refer to the list for your appropriate advisor:

String Studies: Stephanie Baer (stephanie.baer@nyu.edu), Cyrus Beroukhim (csb5@nyu.edu)
Music Theory and Composition: Robert Honstein (rsh7@nyu.edu), Paul Horan (pgh1@nyu.edu)
Music Education: Elise Sobol (es86@nyu.edu)
Percussion: Jonathan Haas (jonathan.haas@nyu.edu), Sean Statser (sjs512@nyu.edu) 
Woodwind Studies: Esther Lamneck (esther.lamneck@nyu.edu), Christopher Bush (christopher.bush@nyu.edu) 
Brass Studies: Wayne du Maine (wd37@nyu.edu), Christopher Bush (christopher.bush@nyu.edu)
Music Business: Shanieka Brooks (shanieka.brooks@nyu.edu)
Piano (Classical): Marilyn Nonken (marilyn.nonken@nyu.edu)
Music Technology: Eleanor Sparaccio (el1696@nyu.edu)
Jazz Studies: David Schroeder (ds38@nyu.edu), David Pietro (dap224@nyu.edu)
Educational Theater: Nancy Smithner (ns23@nyu.edu), Joe Salvatore (js1655@nyu.edu)
Vocal Performance (Music Theatre): Dianna Heldman (dh24@nyu.edu), Meg Bussert (meg.bussert@nyu.edu), Paul Horan (pgh1@nyu.edu)
Vocal Performance (Classical Voice): Dianna Heldman (dh24@nyu.edu), Meg Bussert (meg.bussert@nyu.edu), Paul Horan (pgh1@nyu.edu)

For music performance majors, your instructor will be selected when you meet with your adviser. For non-performance majors, you can either request a specific instructor or have one assigned to you. For all MPAP majors, if you already know who you want to study with, you can indicate your choice on your Private Lesson Request Form. After you have been registered for private lessons, your instructor should contact you no later than the first week of classes. If you need to contact them, you can find their email address by visiting the MPAP office or by simply typing their name in the recipient line of an email using your NYU Gmail account.

Please discuss your specific degree requirements and degree completion plans with your adviser prior to requesting private lessons. Departmental majors will need to complete a private lesson request form online. Please review the majors private lesson information sheet for instructions and deadlines. You will be automatically registered on Albert after your form has been approved by the MPAP office. If you plan to take private lessons on two different instruments (i.e., different course number and/or instructor), you can only take one of them for 3 credits (primary lesson) and the other for 2 credits.

Yes. There is a registration fee of $126 (billed to your student account) for all private lessons. If you have private lessons on two different instruments, you will be billed for $252.

We offer private lessons for majors in Composition, Woodwinds, Brass, Strings, Percussion (only for classical percussion performance majors), Piano, Voice, and Jazz.

In private lessons, the student receives one-on-one instruction with an instructor, and the student can be at any playing level. Group lessons are typically for non-music majors (music majors should only encounter this with the Keyboard Skills class), and the students tend to be beginners on the instrument.

That is arranged on an individual basis between the student and the instructor.

Yes, most ensembles allow anyone at NYU to audition and participate. However, string, piano, and percussion chamber ensembles are reserved for Instrumental Performance majors only.

Yes. Although they are not typical academic courses, students, especially music majors, are still expected to take their private lessons and ensembles seriously. That is, students are expected to practice, be on time to lessons/rehearsals and concerts, and be respectful of the instructor.

Yes. You can talk to your program director or adviser and ask to be assigned to a specific group or coach, although you are not guaranteed to be assigned to that group (pending availability, etc).

You can register for your appropriate chamber music section on Albert after receiving your chamber ensemble assignment and class number from your adviser. Students can be in multiple chamber ensembles, although they will need to register for each ensemble on Albert, as each ensemble is a different section.

You can email the appropriate ensemble director to check the results of your audition, preferably before rehearsals begin. Audition results are typically sent out within two days of the last audition for that ensemble.

For Classical Instrumental Performance (Strings, Winds/Brass, Piano, Percussion) and Jazz Performance majors, yes. Classical Instrumental Performance majors will take a total of 8-12 ensemble credits, through a combination of orchestra and chamber ensemble credits. Strings and Brass majors must register for orchestra every semester, and may have a varying number of chamber ensemble credits. Jazz Performance majors must register for one credit of ensemble in each semester, for a total of 8 credits of ensemble participation. Classical Voice majors must participate in ensembles for 6 semesters and Music Theatre majors must participate for 4 semesters.

You must create an account on KimmelOneStop. After creating your account, it may take up to 48 for your account to be officially activated. With your account, you may reserve rooms in Kimmel or the Global Center for up to two hours a day. For more, visit Room 605 in the Kimmel Center, or contact Kimmel Operations at 212-998-4900 or kimmeloperations@nyu.edu.

You must fill out the MPAP Space/Equipment Request Form. After your request has been processed, you will receive a confirmation from our space coordinator, Luis Mercado (mpapspace@nyu.edu). Your reservation will be considered official only if you receive a confirmation.

The practice rooms on the 9th floor of the Education Building are open as long as the building is open (generally 7:00 am-midnight every day). The practice rooms in Kimmel and the Global Center are open during the school year from 9:00 am-10:00 pm Mon-Sat and 1:00-7:00 pm on Sundays (Global Center practice rooms are closed on the weekend).

There are practice rooms on the 3rd and 9th floors of the Education Building (35 W. 4th Street), the 6th floor of the Kimmel Center, and in the concourse (C level) of the Global Center. Piano Performance and Jazz Studies majors can also use the practice rooms in the concourse (C level) of Third North.

You can get a sticker for your ID card in the main MPAP office on the 10th floor of Steinhardt. Please note that these stickers are for music performance majors only.

Only Piano and Jazz Studies majors can access the practice rooms in Third North, regardless of where you live.

Yes. These are awarded as part of your financial aid package when you are admitted. There is no separate application for MPAP department scholarships.

Yes. In addition to student assistant positions in the main MPAP office, many of the programs will also hire students to work in their own program offices. Students can also work in the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, although Skirball is not a part of the MPAP department.

Yes. Although MPAP majors are allowed to study abroad for a semester anywhere they choose, NYU Prague offers several music courses during the fall semester specifically tailored for Music Performance majors. However, students should plan for their study-abroad experience well in advance, and should speak with their adviser before submitting a study-abroad application. If you are planning to go abroad in the fall, you should speak with your adviser no later than the beginning of February. Please note that your final semester as an NYU student must be on campus, and students generally go abroad during their sophomore or junior year.

Besides the MPAP ensembles, students can perform in student recitals, Vocal Performance program productions (as a member of the cast or pit orchestra), or with various NYU student clubs. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of being in New York City and seek performance opportunities off-campus. Our students regularly play with local bands in venues such as Joe’s Pub and (Le) Poisson Rouge, at Carnegie Hall and on Broadway, and have performed on TV shows including Saturday Night Live and Celebrity Apprentice.

The Department of Music in the College of Arts and Science focuses on ethnomusicology and musicology, with little to no praxis. CAS Music majors usually integrate their music studies with another area in CAS, such as Philosophy or History, giving them more of a liberal arts experience. Steinhardt’s Music and Performing Arts department focuses on real-world applications of performing arts study, whether in performance, education, business, music technology, or administration.