Music
Music Degree
Bachelor of Arts in Music
Bachelor of Arts in Music Business
Bachelor of Arts in Music Technology
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre
Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Introduction
Our music program offers many exciting opportunities for music majors and liberal arts students.
Students at Manhattanville create and explore music in a wide range of settings and styles. Students develop professionally valuable skills, and they learn about music in great detail. To meet these challenges, students are guided by our supportive and engaged faculty at every step. The Music Department offers a wide range of courses which are available to all students at the college, including courses in Music Performance, Music Business, Music Education, Music History, Music Technology, Musical Theatre, Music Theory and Musicianship, jazz, and composition. Performance opportunities, open to all enrolled students, include orchestra, chorus, wind ensemble, large and small jazz ensembles, chamber chorus, chamber pop chorus, electronic music ensemble, chamber music, and a percussion ensemble. Repertoire for these ensembles runs the gamut from Handel’s Messiah to Herbie Hancock’s Chameleon, often with performances on and off campus such as the recent choral tours to Italy and Ireland.
Degree
We offer five undergraduate degrees in music, and one combined (undergraduate and graduate) degree in music: Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Business, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Technology, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education, and a combined and accelerated Bachelor of Music in music education and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree (with the School of Education).
Optional Minor
A minor in Music is also offered.
Career Ideas
Musician, Music Teacher, Music Business Executive, Actor/Actress, Composer, Artists and Repertoire Agent, Entertainment Lawyer, Disc Jockey, Librarian, Music Arranger/Orchestrator, Music Director, Sound Engineer, Audio Production Specialist, Technical Director/Manager, Theatre & Media Director, Video Engineer
Program Administrators
Jerry Kerlin, Program Chair, (914) 323-5256, Jerry.Kerlin@mville.edu
Faculty and Staff
Program Chair
Jerry Kerlin
Full-Time Faculty
Mark Cherry
Carmelo Comberiati
Olivier Fluchaire
Jerry Kerlin
Geoffrey Kidde
Harvey Rachlin
Faculty Emeriti
Francis Brancaleone
MaryAnn Joyce-Walter
Anthony LaMagra
Adjunct Faculty
Jay Azzolina
Michael Bartoli
Carl Bettendorf
Charles Blenzig
Diana Canova
Ronald Cappon
Lyndon Christie
John Cuk
Bruce Eidem
Faith Esham
Karen Froehlich
Thomas Freas
Jeremy Goldsmith
Diane Guernsey
Flora Kuan
Kristen Leitterman
C. Victor Lionti
James Lorusso
Kristen Mather
Beverly Meyer
Terrance Reynolds
Jane E. Seaman
Stefani Starin
Andrew Swift
Jeongeun Yom
Staff
Kathryn DiBernardo, Music Department Coordinator
Faculty and Professional Interests
Mark Cherry — Musical theatre, cabaret, vocal ensemble
Carmelo Comberiati — Music history, analysis, ethnomusicology
Olivier Fluchaire — Music theory, music history, string rudiments, violin, ensemble
Jerry Kerlin — Music education, music theory, ear training, world musics
Geoffrey Kidde — Music technology, music theory, composition, ear training
Harvey Rachlin — Music business
Adjunct Faculty
Jay Azzolina — Jazz studies, guitar, ensemble
Michael Bartoli – Musical Theatre
Carl Bettendorf — Violin, instrumental conducting, orchestra
Charles Blenzig – Jazz Piano
Diana Canova — Voice
Ronald Cappon — Voice, voice class
Lyndon Christie — Acoustic and electric bass
John Cuk — Chorus, vocal ensemble, choral conducting
Bruce Eidem — Euphonium, trombone, tuba
Faith Esham — Voice, voice class
Karen Froehlich – Music Education, French Horn
Thomas Freas — Trumpet
Jeremy Goldsmith — Music technology
Diane Guernsey — Vocal accompanist, vocal coach, piano, piano class
Flora Lu Kuan — Piano, ear training, ensemble
Kristen Leitterman — Oboe
C. Victor Lionti — Violin
James Lorusso — Guitar
Kristen Mather --Clarinet
Beverly Meyer — Vocal coach, vocal accompanist
Terrence Reynolds — Jazz and wind ensembles
Jane Seaman — Musical theatre, Voice
Stefani Starin — Flute
Andrew Swift — Percussion, Music Technology
Jeongeun Yom — Choral, vocal and instrumental accompanist
Music Department Learning Objectives
Student Learning Objectives in the Music Department
The music faculty revised our program Student Learning Objectives during the 2013-2014 academic year as part of the process of modernizing and streamlining our curriculum. This curricular development also saw changes in our actual degrees and the requirements leading to successful completion of each of the music degrees.
Objective I: Develop Skills Essential to Professional Situations
- Participate in individual and group music performance leading to public performance on and off campus.
- Investigate the variety of career opportunities available to those with music training.
- Analyze socio-economic and political factors influencing the global music industry.
- Explore cutting-edge pedagogies, actively observe, and student-teach for music education.
- Investigate deeper knowledge base in specialized fields to develop tools for building advanced level of understanding.
Objective II: Develop Skills for Aural Identification and Musical Analysis
- Examine pieces within specific historical and cultural contexts, and ask questions about the style and function for deeper understanding of performance and transmission of ideas.
- Read primary source texts and secondary works critically and question the assumptions of scholars.
- Integrate aural analysis with a variety of theoretical approaches.
- Integrate critical aural and analytical skills for the development of musical material into performance, improvisation, new musical arrangements, technologies, and original composition.
Objective III: Apply Critical Thinking to Music
- Locate and retrieve information from a variety of sources, both primary and secondary.
- Learn to evaluate information and its sources critically.
- Understand and articulate the legal, economic and ethical issues of the music industry.
- Consolidate knowledge in specialized fields of music and familiarity with repertoire, technical procedures, and chronology.
- Articulate and defend findings and opinions in logical, cogent prose and presentation.
Music Department Assessment
Courses in the Music Department rely on the same kinds of assessment as many other courses at the college. Objective evaluation is performed in most courses, including graded homework assignments, in-class quizzes and examinations, term paper assignments and exercises, and final examinations. Departmental learning objectives have been identified and coordinated on a course by course basis throughout the music curriculum and are posted on line within the course syllabi with related specific assessments in each course. Any specific rubrics or assessment guidelines are associated with specific courses.
Beyond these objective assessments, the Music Department undertakes assessment for Music Performance, and specific assessments for Senior capstone requirements within each degree program. These major assessments monitor ongoing performance levels within the music program and take a cumulative measure of academic performance near the end of students’ studies.
Music Performance
Due to the nature of the discipline, the Music Department performs progressive and cumulative assessments related to musical performance. Solo musical performances of our students are evaluated periodically: by audition before acceptance to the music major, each semester as a part of their applied music lessons and juries, and finally as a part of the senior evaluation for students in our performance intensive programs. Students are required to present a Senior Recital for the B.A. in Music, the B.Mus. in Music Education, and the B.F.A. in Musical Theatre.
Entrance Audition: The Entrance Audition is carried out by full-time faculty. It is required for prospective students in the B.A. in Music, B.A. in Music Technology, B.Mus. in Music Education, and the B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. The entrance audition measures performance training and attempts to predict a student’s timely success towards accomplishing an eventual Senior Recital. This qualitative evaluation is also used to recommend scholarship awards for incoming students. Transfer students and students changing their major to music are also required to audition.
Applicants for the B.A. in Music, the B.F.A. in Musical Theatre and the B.Mus. in Music Education are required to perform three selections which should generally be of diverse types and by different composers. Pianists, vocalists, and string players are asked to perform at least one work from memory. Applicants are evaluated by at least two faculty members on the following criteria: musical comprehension, technical ability and level of preparation. Applicants to the B. A. in music technology may perform a traditional auditions or submit digital application with audio files and one page written explanation.
Applied Music Lessons Attendance and Availability:
Students enrolled in Applied Music Courses are expected to attend all scheduled lessons and any master class/clinics offered by the Music Department for your instrument. Also, all students taking lessons are required to play at a music jury at the end of the semester during finals week. Make your travel plans with that in mind. Missing the jury will result in a grade of “F” for the semester.
Note: Instructors are under no obligation to make up lessons missed by the student and should not be asked to schedule make-up lessons. However, any lesson missed due to the absence of the instructor should be made up at a time convenient to both the student and the instructor.
In the event that an unavoidable absence is necessary, the student is expected to notify the instructor in advance of the lesson time and to explain the absence. More than two unexcused absences per semester will lower the grade and may lead to dismissal from lessons.
Applied music instructors coordinate their teaching schedules with the Music Department Coordinator. Their availability for teaching cannot be guaranteed by the department.
Concert Attendance Policy
The Music Department considers attendance at events and concerts to be a vital part of all students’ musical training and an indication of commitment to the major. To remain in good standing, students must attend (in their entirety) a total of six approved on-campus concerts and recitals each semester.
Attendance is compulsory for all music majors at the following events each semester:
- One Faculty Concert or designated event
- Two large ensemble concerts, selected from: Chorus, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble or Community Jazz Ensemble
- At least one Informal Student Recital
- At least one additional concert or recital
- One small ensemble or senior recital concert
Music majors are expected to make up any absence by attending other on-campus concerts or, with prior approval, off-campus concerts. Any questions regarding concert attendance may be directed to the Music Department Chair.
Procedures for Senior Recitals
Students presenting a vocal or instrumental recital for credit toward a degree program in the music major must register for applied music lessons and MUH 4494A/B (fall or spring) during the semester in which the recital is presented. The Recital Participation Form is available as a link on the Music Department web page and in the Music Department Office.
- Deadlines for the submission of materials will follow guidelines presented in MUH 4494A/B; however the proposed program, signed by the applied music teacher, must be presented in class for departmental approval by October 1 (fall) or February 1 (spring).
- After departmental approval, the concert program must be properly formatted for publication. This work is supervised as part of the Senior Recital course and must be forwarded to the Music Department Office no later than two weeks before the recital date, after which the Department prints the program book. Missing the deadline for submission could require the rescheduling of the recital to the following semester.
- Students are encouraged to prepare professional quality Program Notes for their own recitals. The web links below are for resources and guidance for the preparation of the notes. The student is responsible for preparing and formatting camera-ready copy of the final materials. The due dates for completed program notes are October 15 (fall) and March 15 (spring)
- Recitals should run for 60-70 minutes, and are scheduled back to back; half-recitals are 35-40 minutes. Be sure that all family and friends have directions to the hall, and that everyone is aware that there may be a recital directly afterwards.
- Should you wish to have your recital recorded, you may contact the Music Department Office for contact information for approved recording engineers. It is your responsibility to negotiate payment directly with the engineer. Please allow sufficient time to secure services for the date. At least three weeks is suggested.
- Your recital will be graded by Music Department faculty, whose notes will be available to you for review. The recital grade will stand as the jury portion of your applied music grade for the semester of the performance and you are not required to perform a jury during the semester that you give a recital.
- Departmental accompanists are available for recitals required as part of a degree program. The College pays the accompanist $175.00 for a recital. The student’s responsibility is an additional $175.00 for his or her recital. The fee includes the recital and one dress rehearsal, and is due the day of the dress rehearsal. If a student performs an elective recital, it is the responsibility of the student to find and compensate an accompanist.
- Rehearsal time and space with an accompanist will be made available during the semester of the recital, but use of Pius X Recital Hall must be scheduled in the Music Department Office.
Resources: You may find the guides for the format and style of notes helpful at the following web sites at The University of Puget Sound:
Style Guide for Instrumental Recital Programs: http://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/departments-and-programs/undergraduate/music/for-current-students/recitals/instrumental-style-guide/
Style Guide for Vocal Recital Programs: http://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/departments-and-programs/undergraduate/music/for-current-students/recitals/vocal-style-guide/
Procedures for Vocal Coaching
Manhattanville’s Music Department provides coaching accompanists for students taking voice class or voice lessons. In order to get the most out of your coaching, you should: have legible copies of your music for your coach (making sure that you have not cut off the bass line at the bottom of the page and that the piece is in the correct key for you); be warmed up and ready to sing; arrive on time; try to familiarize yourself with the composers' dates and stylistic eras, but don't be afraid to ask questions during the session; try to come for at least three consecutive coaching sessions at least once per term. Obviously, the more often and consistently you attend coaching sessions, the better your progress and final results will be.
PLEASE DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE ACCOMPANISTS WILL PLAY RECITALS OR JURIES FOR STUDENTS WITH WHOM THEY HAVEN'T WORKED PREVIOUSLY!
Procedures for MUA 1003-1004: Voice Class I and II
Students in both sections of voice class are required to meet regularly with Jeongeun Yom as described in class materials. Coaching sessions can be scheduled directly with Ms. Yom.
Coaching Procedures for Voice Lessons:
Students are required to attend at least six coaching sessions per semester. Sign-up sheets are posted weekly with 15-minute time slots. Time slots are limited, so if you are ill or cannot attend for any other reason, you must take your name off the list (preferably in advance) or call the Music Office (ext. 5260) so that the slot may be made available to another student.
Please check with the Music Office as to who are the coaches for voice students for the applied music lesson. If you can't come to ANY regularly scheduled coaching sessions, let the coaches know and other times for sessions will be scheduled.
Other Vocal Coaching:
During the semester, there are informal recitals, competitions, and juries. You must notify staff accompanists at least TWO WEEKS prior to the event of your intention to perform, and you must have had coaching sessions on the song(s) in advance.
Accompanist fee for competitions (such as the Arlene Kaplan) is $100 to be paid on the day of the competition. This fee includes one rehearsal. The student portion of the accompanist fee for Senior Recitals is $175.00. The fee includes one dress rehearsal and is due the day of the dress rehearsal.
If you are performing a Junior or Senior Recital, please confirm your accompanist as early as possible, and communicate to that accompanist when you get your concert date and program set.
Undergraduate Performance Requirements
Candidates for the B.A. in Music, the B.F.A. in Musical Theatre, or the B.Mus. in Music Education:
Freshman and Sophomore years:
At least one solo or ensemble appearance each semester on an approved public recital or concert.
Junior year:
- At least one solo appearance each semester on an approved public recital or concert.
- At least one ensemble appearance each semester on an approved public recital or concert.
Senior year:
Candidates for B.A. in Music
- Perform a full-length juried solo recital on the major performing vehicle (usually spring semester).
- Make at least one ensemble appearance each semester on an approved public recital or concert.
B.F.A. in Musical Theatre
- Perform a full-length juried recital (usually during spring semester).
- Make at least one ensemble appearance each semester on an approved public recital or concert.
Candidates for B.Mus. in Music Education
- Perform a half- or full-length juried solo recital on the major performing vehicle (usually fall semester).
- Make at least one ensemble appearance each semester on an approved public recital or concert.
Juried recitals require the written approval of both the student's applied music instructor and the Music Department Chair (see Recital Participation Permission Form on line).
Candidates for the B.A. in Music Business and for the B.A. in Music Technology:
Students are encouraged to develop performance skills on at least one instrument or voice. The Department recommends that all music majors enroll regularly for applied music lessons and take part in public recitals and concerts.
Jury Examinations:
- Applied music jury examinations will be held each semester during exam week.
- All students enrolled in applied music lessons are required to take a jury examination on each instrument or in voice or composition at the end of the semesters during which the study took place.
- Students are expected to prepare three works and/or the equivalent for the exam.
- Students can be excused from a jury examination only for medical or special circumstances and with the approval of the Dean of Studies and Music Department Chair.
- The Jury grade counts for 50% of the term's final Applied Music grade. Failure to appear at the jury will therefore result in a failing grade.
- Written Jury evaluations are kept on file in the Music Department office and students may read their evaluation forms.