Music Course Descriptions

Introduction to basic keyboard techniques and piano literature. Class hrs. 3. Students register for Piano Class I and make arrangements with the teacher during the first class meeting for PCII, PCIII, or PCIV.

Continuation of Piano Class I. See Piano Class I. Class hrs. 3.

Preparation and performance of a wide variety of compositions suitable for chorus. Class hrs. 3.

Continuation of Vocal Ensemble I. Class hrs. 3. No prerequisite.

Brass, strings, woodwinds, and percussion instruments organized into ensembles to provide students with performing experience in such groups. Class hrs. 3.

Continuation of Instrumental Ensemble I. Class hrs. 3. No prerequisite.

Study of the guitar in solo and ensemble combinations. Materials of performance geared to abilities of students. Students must supply their own guitar. Class hrs. 2 (lab). Offered spring and fall semesters.

This course covers techniques of sight-singing and dictation of diatonic melodies in simple and compound meters. Emphasis is on the identification and performance of simple intervals, scales, triads and rhythms. 

Rhythmic, melodic, harmonic elements of music. Types of triads, intervals, keys, cadences, scales; emphasis on their use in 18th and 19th centuries. May be taken for Honors. Class hrs. 3.

This course introduces students to the study of four-part harmony, including tonal chord progressions, voice-leading, diatonic harmony, seventh chords, and secondary dominants. Students will write original compositions. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: MUSIC 129 Music Theory I or permission of the instructor.

This course covers techniques of sight-singing and dictation of diatonic melodies in simple and compound meters. Emphasis is on the identification and performance of simple intervals, scales, triads and rhythms. The class examines major musical works, analyzing the various musical elements. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: MUSIC 128 Ear Training I.

This course is a continuation of Applied Music. Extra fee per semester required. Instruction one hour per lesson plus required practice sessions.

This course is a continuation of Applied Music II. Extra fee per semester required. Instruction one hour per lesson plus required practice sessions.

This course is a continuation of Applied Music III. Extra fee per semester required. Instruction one hour per lesson plus required practice sessions.

Individual instruction in piano, voice, organ, violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba, and percussion. Study includes technical skills and repertoire. Instruction one hour per lesson plus required practice sessions.

This course provides individual instruction in the performance techniques and literature of the voice. Emphasis is placed on the development of a sound technical foundation, familiarity with the performance approaches and the study of the instrument’s vast literature. Upon successful completion, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in technical skills and repertoire through performance. An additional fee per semester is required.

See description for MUSIC 142A. This course is for students enrolled in their second consecutive semester of individual instruction in voice. An additional fee per semester is required. Prerequisite: MUSIC 142A Applied Music – Voice I.

See description for MUSIC 142A. This course is for students enrolled in their third consecutive semester of individual instruction in voice. An additional fee per semester is required. Prerequisite: MUSIC 142B Applied Music – Voice II.

See description for MUSIC 142A. This course is for students enrolled in their second consecutive semester of individual instruction in voice. An additional fee per semester is required. Prerequisite: MUSIC 142C Applied Music – Voice III.

See description for MUSIC 144A. This course is for students enrolled in their second consecutive semester of individual instruction in piano. An additional fee per semester is required. Prerequisite: MUSIC 144A Applied Music – Piano I.

See description for MUSIC 144A. This course is for students enrolled in their third consecutive semester of individual instruction in piano. An additional fee per semester is required. Prerequisite: MUSIC 144B Applied Music – Piano II.

See description for MUSIC 144A. This course is for students enrolled in their fourth consecutive semester of individual instruction in piano. An additional fee per semester is required. Prerequisite: MUSIC 144C Applied Music – Piano III.

See description for MUSIC 146A. This course is for students enrolled in their second consecutive semester of individual instruction in guitar. An additional fee per semester is required. Prerequisite: MUSIC 146A Applied Music – Guitar I.

See description for MUSIC 146A. This course is for students enrolled in their third consecutive semester of individual instruction in guitar. An additional fee per semester is required. Prerequisite: MUSIC 146B Applied Music – Guitar II.

See description for MUSIC 146A. This course is for students enrolled in their fourth consecutive semester of individual instruction in guitar. An additional fee per semester is required. Prerequisite: MUSIC 146C Applied Music – Guitar III.

This course provides individual instruction in compositional techniques, methods, and forms widely used throughout Western music. Emphasis is placed on the development of a sound technical foundation in harmonic and melodic systems, and form. Upon successful completion, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the techniques and forms studied throughout the semester by producing complete scores and/or performances. An additional fee per semester is required.

See description for MUSIC 148A. This course is for students enrolled in their second consecutive semester of individual instruction in composition. An additional fee per semester is required. Prerequisite: MUSIC 148A Applied Music – Composition I.

See description for MUSIC 148A. This course is for students enrolled in their third consecutive semester of individual instruction in composition. An additional fee per semester is required. Prerequisite: MUSIC 148B Applied Music – Composition II.

See description for MUSIC 148A. This course is for students enrolled in their fourth consecutive semester of individual instruction in composition. An additional fee per semester is required. Prerequisite: MUSIC 148C Applied Music – Composition III.

This course covers basic audio concepts, including the physics of sound, an historical overview of sound reproduction, and an examination of analog and digital sound recording technology and equipment, including microphones, multi-track recording, mixing, effects, digital audio workstations, and computer software for sound design and editing. Students also complete hands-on projects using digital workstations. Peekskill location. Class hrs. 3.

Musical Instrument Digital Interface is the marriage of music and computer technology. Students learn concepts, basic theory and techniques and the application of MIDI technology to the production of music. Hands-on projects are completed using MIDI keyboard synthesizers and sequencer software. Peekskill location. Class hrs. 3.

This course covers the history of electronic musical instruments and composition from its beginnings in the late 19th century to the present. Topics covered include the Telharmonium, the Theremin, the RCA Mark I synthesizer, Musique Concrete, MIDI and sampling, Progressive Rock, Techno, Interactive Music Systems, and multimedia. Through in-class performances, recordings, and videos, students become familiar with a wide range of music including the works of Xenakis, Stockhausen, Subotnick, Keith Emerson, Kraftwerk, the Crystal Method, and many others. Offered at Valhalla and Peekskill locations. Class hrs. 3.

This course is a continuation of Introduction to MIDI Tech I, consisting of more advanced concepts in MIDI technology and its appreciation in music composition, recording, and arranging. Hands-on projects develop additional skills in MIDI sequencing, effects, tape-less recording, and synchronization, sound synthesis and synthesizer programming. Peekskill location. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: MUSIC 162 Intro to MIDI Tech I.

An introduction to the tools and processes used in composing music with electronic instruments. The special requirements for composing electronic music and MIDI based music for film, video, multimedia, and computer games are covered. Peekskill location. Class hrs. 3. Suggested Prerequisite: MUSIC 161 Intro to Audio and/or MUSIC 162 Intro to Midi Tech.

This course covers the use of computer hardware and software, and MIDI keyboard synthesizer as tools for composing music and lyrics for the pop song. A variety of song genres used in today’s popular music is analyzed, and students complete a series of projects in song composition. Topics in the business aspects of song writing and publishing are also covered. Peekskill location. Class hrs. 3. Suggested Prerequisite: MUSIC 161 Intro to Audio and/or MUSIC 162 Intro to Midi Tech.

Introduction to music literature of the Baroque and Classic periods with emphasis on listening, correlated with textbook material and supplementary reading. Class hrs. 3. Offered fall semester.

Introduction to music literature of the Romantic and Contemporary periods with emphasis on listening, correlated with textbook material and supplementary reading. Class hrs. 3. Offered spring semester.

A study of the evolution of jazz from its African, European, and American roots to its current position as a uniquely American art form. Major schools studied include early blues and ragtime, swing, be-bop, fusion, avant-garde, and the current scene. The course explores the impact of the African-American tradition on contemporary idioms such as rock, pop, and 20th century concert music, emphasizing form, structure, and its numerous contributions to U.S. and world culture. May be taken for Honors. Class hrs. 3.

Continuation of Piano Class II. See Piano Class I above. Class hrs. 3.

Continuation of Piano Class III. See Piano Class II above. Class hrs. 3.

A hands-on course designed to establish working skills in various areas of audio production. Areas covered include basic audio theory, audio tape recorders (both analog and digital), microphones, consoles, mixing, audiotape editing, concert and studio recording. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: MUSIC 129 Music Theory I.

A hands-on course designed to establish working skills in various areas of audio production. Areas covered include basic audio theory, audio tape recorders (both analog and digital), microphones, consoles, mixing, audiotape editing, concert and studio recording. Recording Engineering II continues acquisition of the skills developed in Recording Engineering I. Peekskill location. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: MUSIC 220 Recording Engineering I.