Music Courses

MUS001R, 002R, 003R, 004R Concert Attendance I, II, III, IV (0 credits)

This sequence requires students to attend concerts on campus each semester. Attendance will be noted at the entrance to the auditorium. Those who fail to fulfill the minimum requirement need to make it up in the following semester. Students are required to complete MUS001R, 002R, 003R, and 004R each twice. Pass/No Pass grading scale.

MUS005 Remedial Ear Training (0 credits)

This remedial course develops basic aural and dictation proficiency to prepare students for MUS101A.

MUS011 Review of Music Theory (0 credits)

Through listening, playing, singing, and writing, students will review the study of rhythms, intervals, motifs, phrases, melodies, and chords. This remedial course develops students' competency in basic music theory to prepare them for more advanced courses.

MUS101A/B Ear Training A/B (1 credit each)

This course sequence solidifies students' understanding of theoretical principles through aural exercises such as sight singing, rhythmic exercises, and dictation. The co-requisite for MUS101A is MUS111A and the co-requisite for MUS101B is MUS111B.

MUS102A/B Keyboard Skills A/B (1 credit each)

This first course offers piano lessons in a group setting. Students will develop the ability to read music and play simple pieces with proper technique while relating the music to theory that they have learned. The second course focuses on the development of keyboard musicianship, including basic pianistic facility and ease at the keyboard, sight-reading and harmonization in treble and bass clefs, basic music theory, and ensemble playing.

MUS111A/B Western Music Theory A/B (2 credits each)

The first course in this sequence introduces students to four-part writing for all diatonic chords and will include study of figured bass, non-harmonic tones, the various functions of the phrase model, and motivic identification. The second course will study small musical structures like periods and sentences, harmonic sequences, Neapolitan 6 chords, augmented 6th chords, and applied chords and modulation.

MUS120R, 220R, 320R, 420R Orchestra I, II, III, IV (2 credits each)

In these applied music courses, students develop their instrumental skills, ensemble techniques, and musicianship skills through orchestral playing. Students majoring in Performance are required to repeat MUS120R, 220R, 320R, and 420R for a total of 4 credits each. Select students may participate in side-by-side concerts with music faculty and other performances in the New York area and beyond.

MUS121R, 221R, 321R, 421R Major Instrument (Western) I, II, III, IV (4 credits each)

Through enrolling in this course sequence, a student majoring in a Western musical instrument is entitled to one 60-minute private lesson per week. Students majoring in Performance are required to repeat MUS121R, 221R, 321R, and 421R for a total of 28 credits.

MUS122R, 222R, 322R, 422R Major Instrument (Chinese) I, II, III, IV (4 credits each)

Through enrolling in this course sequence, a student majoring in a Chinese musical instrument is entitled to one 60-minute private lesson per week. Students majoring in Performance are required to repeat MUS122R, 222R, 322R, and 422R for a total of 28 credits.

MUS123R, 223R, 323R, 423R Chamber Music I, II, III, IV (1 credit each)

This studio course sequence expands students' ensemble repertoire, improves ensemble skills, and encourages more personal responsibility in creating polished artistic performances. Students will receive coaching from music faculty on assigned repertoire to be performed in a concert. Students majoring in Performance are required to repeat MUS223R, 323R, and 423R, for a total of 2 credits each. Piano majors are additionally required to take 123R, for a total of 2 credits.

MUS124R, 224R, 324R, 424R Concert Practice I, II, III, IV (0.5 credits each)

In this course, students meet once a week in a master class-like situation to perform for faculty members and peers and to listen to their peers' performances. Students majoring in Performance are required to repeat MUS124R, 224R, and 324R for a total of 1 credit each.

MUS125R, 225R, 325R Studio Piano I, II, III (1 credit each)

Private instruction in piano for non-piano majors. Enrolled students will have one private 30-minute lesson per week.

MUS128R, 228R, 328R, 428R Instrumental Accompaniment I, II, III, IV (1 credit each)

This applied course sequence provides students experience in accompanying individuals or groups in studio and rehearsal settings, plus in subsequent performance. The time commitment is comparable to that of ensemble participation. Piano students collaborate with vocalists and instrumentalists in the department and sometimes with professional musicians.

MUS129R, 229R, 329R, 429R Dance Class Accompaniment I, II, III, IV (1 credit each)

This studio course sequence is designed to prepare students to accompany dance classes competently and properly. A student will be assigned to different dance classes to accompany the class to get hands-on experience as well as to develop and broaden the skills and professional competencies of the piano accompanist, addressing the needs of all those intending to undertake a career as a piano accompanist in dance classes.

MUS131 Introduction to Music Technology (3 credits)

This course introduces the use of the computer in music production, music notation, and music education. It covers the rudimentary principles of acoustics, MIDI, sequencing, notation, and digital audio. Students will explore a variety of techniques through creating their own pieces. Prerequisites: MUS211B or instructor consent.

MUS146 History of Western Music (Overview) (1 credit)

This overview course provides students the tools to understand the different music periods through history and familiarize students with the main composers, music literature, and genres.

MUS147 History of Western Music (Medieval–Early Baroque) (2 credits)

This survey course of the history of Western music offers an in-depth view of the representative musical styles from the Medieval until the Middle Baroque period, while studying in detail the main issues and concepts during these periods of Western music history.

MUS155, 255, 355 Music Practicum I, II, III (3 credits each)

These elective courses are designed to give students the opportunity to gain practical performing experience through taking part in the orchestras of Shen Yun Performing Arts or other professional ensembles.

MUS201A/B Advanced Ear Training A/B (1 credit each)

The first course in this sequence improves students' fluency in the materials covered in MUS101B while developing their aural skills with respect to the theoretical topics covered in MUS211A Advanced Western Music Theory A. The second course focuses on dictation exercises comprising harmonic progressions, cross rhythms, syncopations, and smaller subdivision of beats.

MUS202A/B Advanced Keyboard Skills A/B (1 credit each)

This studio course sequence develops students' keyboard skills at the intermediate level, focusing on increasing finger dexterity and further acquisition of functional theory-related keyboard skills. In the first course, students learn to read and play music notated in different clefs as well as scores for transposing instruments. In the second course, students learn to read and play full scores for chamber and symphonic works.

MUS211A/B Advanced Western Music Theory A/B (2 credits each)

In addition to the study of more advanced harmonic progressions, this course sequence focuses on the function each harmony and melody expresses as well as the relation to the larger form at hand. Included in the study of larger forms are ternary, rondo, and sonata forms. Phrase structure and small forms are addressed in depth from melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic perspectives. The course also consolidates students' knowledge of 19th-century chromatic harmony while introducing 18th-century imitative counterpoint and 20th-century harmony.

MUS227A/B Piano Accompanying A/B (1 credit each)

This applied course sequence is designed to foster the keyboard and sight-reading proficiency a collaborative pianist requires, as well as skills necessary for studying and analyzing collaborative repertoire. Students gain experience working with one or more players in communicating and articulating musical ideas, developing the appropriate musical sensitivity for collaborative playing, and following a different set of conventions in his/her approach in terms of pedaling, articulation, dynamics, and ornamentation.

MUS246 History of Western Music (High Baroque–Classical) (2 credits)

This course offers an in-depth view of the representative musical styles from the High Baroque to the Classical period, while studying in detail the main issues and concepts of these periods of Western music history.

MUS247 History of Western Music (Romantic–Contemporary) (2 credits)

This course offers an in-depth view of the representative musical styles from the Romantic to the contemporary period, while studying in detail the main issues and concepts of these periods of Western music history.

MUS244, 245 Chinese Music I, II (2 credits each)

The first course of this sequence focuses on traditional Chinese folk songs, ballads, and regional operas. Students learn to understand, identify, and sing different genres of folk songs that are authentic to their regional styles. The second course introduces students to traditional Chinese instrumental music and singing-dance music. Through exploring the unique sound qualities of each Chinese instrument and representative repertoire, students can draw parallels to their own instruments. Embedded workshops instruct students in how to play Chinese music in a distinctly Chinese style on their own instruments, Western or Chinese.

MUS311 Form and Analysis (2 credits)

This course aims to develop the analytical skills students need to study large-scale Classical works from prominent composers such as Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. The focus is on approaching tonal music as an instrumental performer. Select orchestral and chamber repertoire from the Romantic period will also be studied using these skills.

MUS312 Orchestration (2 credits)

This course introduces the fundamentals of orchestration. Students will study the characteristics of individual instruments in the four families and learn to combine their timbres in effective ways.

MUS326A/B Chinese Instrument Class A/B (1 credit each)

This one-year sequence is designed to help Western instrument majors gain proficiency on a chosen Chinese instrument to an elementary-to-intermediate level. Students learn the basic techniques, proper hand positions and body posture, maintenance of the instrument, and interpretation of a chosen repertoire. The second half of the sequence consolidates the basic techniques while developing students' command of a musically more challenging repertoire.

MUS327A/B Advanced Piano Accompanying A/B (1 credit each)

This applied course sequence is a continuation and advancement of MUS227A/B, and seeks to further improve students' collaborative playing abilities. Prerequisites: MUS227B.

MUS332 Orchestral Conducting (2 credits)

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of orchestral conducting, including basic conducting skills, marking a score for performance, and rehearsal skills. Prerequisites: MUS201B and 211B or instructor consent.

MUS341 Orchestral Literature (2 credits)

This is a survey of orchestral literature from the early Classical period to the present, focusing on the changing roles of orchestral instruments, performance styles and techniques, and the interpretative or compositional philosophies of the composers studied. Prerequisites: MUS246 and MUS247.

MUS344 Piano Literature (2 credits)

This course is a chronological in-depth survey of music for the piano, from the Baroque period to the contemporary era. Through lectures, reading and listening assignments, analysis and performance projects, students explore period instruments, musical styles, repertoire, and performance practice. This course also covers the socio-cultural context that influenced major composers and their works.

MUS345 Interpretation and Performance of East-West Music (2 credits)

East-West music is a combination of traditional Chinese music with Western orchestral methods. This course examines the theoretical basis of East-West music as well as the individual Chinese and Western elements of this unique style. Through analysis of different repertoire, students will be able to interpret this style of music, and ultimately, perform it with the nuanced musicality that it demands.

MUS351 Junior Recital (0 credits)

Junior Recital (30 minutes) is required of every BM student majoring in Performance. The recital is usually given at the end of a student’s junior year and is open to the public. Required concurrent courses: MUS321R or MUS322R. Pass/No Pass grading scale.

MUS352 Independent Study in Music (1–4 credits)

This course gives students an opportunity to investigate a topic outside the current music curriculum. All independent study courses must be approved in advance and be closely supervised by a faculty member. An independent study proposal must include a course outline developed through consultation between the student and faculty supervisor, and it will serve as the official course description. The course may take the form of faculty-supervised research, study, or a project. This course may be repeated for credit.

MUS361 Chinese Music Seminar (2 credits)

This is an upper-division seminar course that discusses important topics in Chinese music, including musical origins and history, genres, morphology, musical structure, notation systems, and aesthetics.

MUS371 Internship (1–3 credits)

The purpose of an internship is to let students gain valuable work experience in a professional environment by applying what they have learned. One credit is typically 3–4 hours per week. Application for internship must be completed prior to start of term student intends to take internship. This course may be repeated for additional credit.

MUS425R Studio Piano IV (2 credits)

Private instruction in piano for non-piano majors. Enrolled students will have one private 60-minute lesson per week. MUS425R may each be repeated for a total of 4 credits.

MUS451 Senior Recital (0 credits)

Senior Recital (60 minutes) is required of every BM student majoring in Performance. The recital is usually given at the end of the student’s senior year and is open to the public. Required concurrent courses: MUS421R or MUS422R. Pass/No Pass grading scale.

MUS452 Senior Project (4 credits)

This course offers students an opportunity to develop their creative skills through conceiving and completing an independent project, such as a composition, recital, or other music-related creative endeavor. The project scope requires instructor approval.

MUS453 Research Paper (4 credits)

This course offers seniors the opportunity to write a research paper (at least 25 double-spaced, typewritten pages) on a music-related topic of their own choice with the guidance of an instructor.

MUS455 Advanced Music Practicum IV (4 credits)

This course is open to seniors wishing to tour or spend a season with a professional ensemble such as a Shen Yun orchestra to gain hands-on artistic and/or managerial experience. Prerequisite: Instructor consent; 3 credits from each of MUS155, 255, and 355 is preferred.

BM in Performance  ›  Music Courses