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Music and Performing Arts Professions

Undergraduate Semester Abroad

Cultivate your skills in music composition, education, and performance as you explore some of the world’s most enchanting cities. Courses are taught by celebrated musicians and scholars and are offered by the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at NYU Paris, NYU Prague, and NYU Abu Dhabi so you can stay on track with your major as you learn in a new cultural context. As a music student, you will draw on the rich musical traditions of Europe and engage with the contemporary music scene to create new and exciting works of your own. Through academic excursions, you’ll learn more about your host country’s unique culture and musical history. Internship and volunteer opportunities are also available if you want to gain practical experience in the industry and a deeper understanding of how globalization influences today’s music.

Study at NYU ABU DHABI

In the NYUAD Arts Center students can work on projects and learn contemporary techniques in music production and technology using state-of-the art recording studios, attend educational workshops, access performance and project spaces, engage with world-renowned artists, and participate in undergraduate research projects through student assistantships.

At NYU Abu Dhabi, Music is taught from transnational and interdisciplinary perspectives. Students are connected with local and regional music and media scenes in the UAE, MENA, East Africa, and India through artist visits, field trips, and other opportunities. Students on a semester study away can take courses to fulfill major or elective requirements and take advantage of small class sizes. Classes at NYUAD have an average size of 14. Students come from over 115 countries. For more information on courses and study abroad at NYUAD, please visit NYU Global Programs.

Music Technology Courses

  • Mixing & Mastering Techniques
  • Recording and Production Techniques
  • Introduction to Musical Programming 1–An Introduction to Max
  • Intro to Musical Programming 2–Generative Music and Max for Live
  • Fundamentals of Digital Audio–Introduction to Pro Tools
  • Advanced Musical Programming
  • Immersive Audio for Storytelling for Motion Picture

Music Studies Courses

  • Arab Music Cultures
  • Engaging Khaleeji Musical Heritage: An Introduction to Applied Ethnomusicology
  • Popular Music in the Arab World
  • African Popular Music
  • Music: Conflict, Protest, and Peace
  • Rock ‘n’ Roll Histories & Revolutions: Afro-American Music Traditions to the Beatles
  • Musical Theatre Since 1850: A Mirror of Society
  • Music and Copyright
  • Jazz

Music Practice Electives

  • For individuals and groups, including cello, clarinet, flute, oud, piano, saxophone, Arabic percussion, trumpet, and violin

Other Music and Music-Related Electives

  • Anthropology of Music 2
  • Music Histories and Historiography 1
  • Audiovisual Ethnography: Music and Heritage
  • Listening Islam
  • Communications Lab
  • New Interfaces of Musical Expression

Business and Economics Courses for Music Business Majors

  • Intermediate Microeconomics
  • Business and Technology
  • Intermediate Macroeconomics
  • Ethics, Technology, and Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Principles of Marketing
  • Introduction to Entrepreneurship
  • Management & Organizations

Students have access to coursework that fulfills foreign language and liberal arts core requirements and can take electives from the Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences, Engineering, and multidisciplinary programs at NYU Abu Dhabi, such as Arab Crossroads, Legal Studies, Interactive Media, African Studies, Environmental Studies, Design, and Urbanization. Students are encouraged to discuss course applicability with their advisors and check course listings for availability.

Students will also have access to the NYUAD Career Development Center (CDC) to seek internship opportunities and career advice, join Student Interest Groups (SIGs), or volunteer time in various programs through the Office of Community Outreach. Additionally, students can benefit from the facilities of the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute, NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center, and the athletics and fitness centers.

Abu Dhabi is home to a unique population hailing from everywhere from the Arab world to the South Asian subcontinent, South East Asia, Africa, Europe, and beyond. The UAE’s infrastructure and geographic location make it a hub for internal and external travel whether in the  Middle East,  farther afield or at home in the UAE. Learn more about NYU Abu Dhabi.

Study at NYU Paris

Study music in Paris, one of the cultural capitals of the world and a city renowned for its music scene. In addition to music courses at NYU’s academic center on the Left Bank, you will have the opportunity to study at IRCAM, the Institut de Recherche et de Coordination Acoustique/ Musique, an organization famous for its research, innovation, and experimentation in electronic music and acoustics. You can also participate in workshops, concerts, and lectures during your time in Paris.

Core Courses

  •  Aural Comprehension in Music II, III, and IV
  • Keyboard Skills II, III, and IV
  • Music History II: Baroque and Classical
  • Music History III: 19th-Century Music
  • Music History IV: 20th-Century Music
  • Music Theory II, III, and IV

Ensemble Courses

  • Chamber Ensembles
  • Jazz Ensembles

Private Instruction Courses*

  • Brass Instruments
  • Music Composition
  • Percussion Instruments
  • Piano
  • String Instruments
  • Vocal Training
  • Wind Instruments

Music Business Course

  • Global Music Trends Analysis (online)

Music Technology Course

  • Sound Design and Spatialization

Study at NYU PRAGUE

Hone your musical skills in Prague, a major training ground for some of the finest jazz and classical performers in Europe and a hub for the music and film-music industries. You can also intern at concert halls, record labels, recording studios, television and radio stations, theatres, and management companies to gain real-world experience. Throughout the semester, you have the opportunity to go on academic and cultural excursions, including a two-day trip to Vienna, a city famous for its many great native composers.

Core Courses

  • Aural Comprehension in Music II, III, and IV
  • Keyboard Skills II, III, and IV
  • Music History II: Baroque and Classical
  • Music History III: 19th-Century Music
  • Music History IV: 20th-Century Music
  • Music Theory II, III, and IV

Ensemble Courses

  • Chamber Ensembles
  • Jazz Ensembles

Private Instruction Courses*

  • Music Composition
  • Percussion Instruments
  • Piano
  • String Instruments
  • Vocal Training
  • Wind Instruments

Music Business Course

  • Global Music Trends Analysis (online)

Music Education Courses

  • Foundations of Music Education
  • Fundamentals of Conducting

Music Technology Course

  • Electroacoustic Composition: Techniques of Computer Music Synthesis
  • Sound Design

How to Apply

Visit the NYU Office of Global Programs website for a complete list of current course offerings and application guidelines. Financial aid and scholarships are available to NYU students.

Learn More

Further Opportunities

NYU Shanghai offers a variety of courses in music theory and practice. Courses offered at NYU Shanghai may not automatically count as major or minor equivalents. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic adviser to discuss their major requirements and degree progress.

Business and Economics

Music Business majors should confer with their academic adviser as to the possible use of business and economics courses to satisfy their program of study requirements. A list of courses is available on the NYU Global Programs website.

Teaching Observations

All Music Education and Educational Theatre majors are required to complete hours of observations each semester in a teaching setting pursuant to teacher certification regulations. These teaching observations are completed before student teaching and do not include any student teaching activities. Music and theatre teaching venues conducted in English are available. Teaching-observation placements are administered by the NYU staff in Paris and Prague. Permission from the Steinhardt music education or educational theatre faculty is required.

Course offerings at all global locations are subject to change and can vary by semester. Not all course options are available to all students. See NYU Global Programs for the most up-to-date information.

Student Life

On-site staff provide support for you during your time abroad. Orientation, trips, student clubs, and language exchanges throughout the semester help you connect with your host culture. Housing varies by location and is guaranteed to all students.

More Information

Admissions Process 

Office of Global Programs
383 Lafayette Street, 4th Floor 
New York, NY 10003-7011 
Global.admissions@nyu.edu
212.998.4433

Academics

Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions
Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
35 West Fourth Street, Suite 1077
New York, NY 10012-1120
212.998.5424