Philip and Sarah Belz Department of Music Apply Now Contact Us Artificial Intelligence Biotechnology Computer Science Cybersecurity Data Analytics and Visualization Digital Marketing and Media Mathematics Occupational Therapy Physician Assistant Physics Speech-Language Pathology The Philip and Sarah Belz Department of Music Department offers course work and performing opportunities in Western classical music and jazz at the undergraduate level. Students from all disciplines may participate in music performance ensembles and courses of musical study. The one restriction is that the Sense of Music, MUS 1111A, is the prerequisite to music history courses. A fundamental guideline for all students pursuing the minor in music is that they should have a healthy balance between academic courses (history, theory, style analysis) and performance courses (chamber ensembles, jazz ensemble, applied music lessons). The study of music and the experience of music should reinforce each other. In this same light, music theory courses (harmony) place an emphasis on writing music. The Music Department strongly encourages its minors to extend and refine their performance abilities during their student years by enrolling in at least one performance-oriented course each term that they are students. This means that many music minors take more courses in music performance ensembles and lessons than they are allowed to apply toward their minor. Facilities The Philip and Sarah Belz Department of Music is housed on the second floor of the Schottenstein Center. A Steinway grand piano resides in the Recital Room, and two other baby grand pianos plus five Baldwin upright pianos are available for practice. The second floor features four sound-proof practice booths that are available to students until about 1 a.m. each day that the building is open. Additionally, the department supports a MIDI Electronic Music Studio. Music Ensembles A number of opportunities are available for undergraduate musicians at Yeshiva University. The Philip and Sarah Belz Department of Music offers chamber music performance courses directed by faculty and the Yeshiva University Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Bartholomew. Yeshiva College performance ensembles present public concerts on campus each term. Chamber Music Chamber Music Ensembles are one credit per term courses. Dr. Levy and Dr. Bartholomew organize chamber groups of varying sizes and levels of ability to rehearse and perform classical music of all styles and eras. Any YU students who are interested in performing in a chamber ensemble should see Dr. Bartholomew (Schottenstein 213, 212.960.5353) for an audition. Interested musicians should be able to read music. Rehearsals meet at a time mutually available to all members of each individual ensemble. Jazz Ensemble The Yeshiva University Jazz Ensemble is open to all YU students who may register for the course for one credit per term. An audition with Dr. Bartholomew, director of the Jazz Ensemble, is required. The Jazz Ensemble rehearses Mondays, 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. In the two or three weeks immediately preceding concerts the Jazz ensemble often adds a second rehearsal per week. The Jazz Ensemble normally presents two public concerts each year. For over 25 years the Jazz Ensemble has played only music ("charts") composed or arranged by Dr. Levy or Dr. Bartholomew. Each work has been tailored to fit the Jazz Ensemble's annual change in instrumentation. For more information about the Music Department at Yeshiva College, please contact Professor Daniel Beliavsky at beliavsk@yu.edu 212.960.5400 ext. 4437. Program Information Courses Please see the Schedule of Classes for the current semester’s offerings. MUS 1111A The Sense of Music 2 credits This course fulfills the general humanities requirement in art or music. Insight into the art of music through guided listening experiences that aim to develop aural perception, a historical perspective, an awareness of the formal processes of music, and some critical bases for aesthetic discrimination. Background in music not required. MUS 1112A Inventing Music 2 credits This course fulfills the general humanities requirement in art or music. A variant of the introduction to music course, focusing on creative composition. Students learn the rudiments of music and the particulars of musical “language,” and move on to elementary exercises and composition of songs and pieces in small forms. Includes study of diverse musical styles. Background in music not required. MUS 1141 or 1141H The Interpretation of Text Through Sound 3 credits Texts, music, and their symbiosis. MUS 1341 Music from Antiquity through the Renaissance 2 credits Evolution of the forms and practices of Western music in antiquity, the medieval, and the Renaissance eras; the development of polyphony and secular art music, emphasizing the works of Dufay, Ockeghem, Josquin, Willaert, Gesualdo, Gabrieli, and Monteverdi. Prerequisite: MUS 1111. MUS 1350 Music in the Baroque and Classical Eras 3 credits The development of triadic music, tonality, and its forms in the Baroque era and continuing through the classical era. The growth of opera, concerto, fugue, sonata, and symphony; Western music from Monteverdi to Beethoven. MUS 1351 Music in the Romantic and Modern Eras 3 credits Musical practices in the 19th and 20th centuries, beginning with Beethoven’s monumental and universal works and their influence on later generations; the increase in chromaticism through the romantic era, the breakdown of tonality, and the harmonic-contrapuntal techniques and structural principles of 20th-century music; Western music from Beethoven to Adams. MUS 1371 Rhythm and Blues, Rock and Roll 3 credits History of American popular music and forms since 1865; the influence of radio and recording technologies; the social and political implications of American popular music between 1945 and 1985. MUS 1381 History of Jazz 3 credits African, Afro-American, and Euro-American musical genres in the 19th century after emancipation; the mutual cross-cultural assimilation of these genres that synthesized into new, uniquely North American popular and then art music in the 20th century. Jazz styles considered in depth include traditional (early jazz), swing, bebop, and modal and free jazz, emphasizing recordings of influential, innovative performers of each era. MUS 1400 or 1400H The String Quartet 3 credits This course fulfills the general humanities requirement in art or music. A genre course that provides insight into the art of music through guided listening experiences that aim to develop aural perception, a historical perspective, and an understanding of the formal processes in string quartets since Haydn’s Op. 33, and some critical bases for aesthetic discrimination. Background in music not required. MUS 1661 Survey of Operatic Literature MUS 1931, 1932 Musicology 2–3 credits Seminars in special topics, one normally scheduled every other year after consultation with prospective students. Topics include Bach; Haydn, Mozart, and Classicism; Beethoven; Chopin and the Romantic Piano; The Age of Brahms; Schoenberg and Stravinsky; Jazz Giants. Prerequisites: Music 2112 and at least one course in music history (1341, 1350, 1351, or 1381). MUS 2111-2112 Diatonic Harmony 3 credits Structural foundations of tonal music; principles of melodic construction, voice leading, harmony, and counterpoint. Prerequisite: ability to read music Corequisite: an ear training laboratory (MUS 2111L–2112L) determined by placement exam at the beginning of the semester. MUS 2111L-2112L Ear Training I and II 1 credit Laboratory course designed to help students master the skills covered in Diatonic Harmony. Emphasis on the development of relative pitch memory and recognition of interval, chord, and chord inversion. Students learn sight-singing from simple melodies and counterpoints, and practice elementary skills of chordal accompaniment at the keyboard. Corequisite: MUS 2111–2112. MUS 2113, 2114 Chromatic Harmony I and II 3 credits Continuation of Diatonic Harmony. Principles of chromatic voice leading and chromatic harmony. Exploring those topics through model composition and analysis. The second semester also offers an introduction to post-tonal theory and analysis. Prerequisite: MUS 2112. MUS 2113L, 2114L Keyboard Skills I and II 1 credit Piano instruction for adult beginners; practice techniques to the level of Bach’s Inventions and Clementi’s Sonatinas. MUS 2127, 2128 Advanced Theory and Composition 2–3 credits Seminar for advanced students in music theory, musicology, or music composition. May include MIDI studies and electric-acoustic techniques. Prerequisite: MUS 2112. MUS 3461 — 3469 Musical Performance and Interpretation 1 credit Music of selected composers rehearsed and analyzed to develop performance skills, an awareness of musical styles, and an approach to musical interpretation. MUS 3461 — 3466 Classical Chamber Music (e.g., Bach, Schubert, Brahms) See the music adviser before registering. MUS 3467 — 3469 Jazz Ensemble By audition with the instructor. MUS 4111; 4112; 4113; 4114 Applied Musical Studies 1 credit Vocal or instrumental music lessons arranged by the music staff. Literature, materials, techniques. A maximum of 4 credits may be taken in such courses. Replaces 4901, 4902 found in other disciplines. Fee: on an individual basis, dependent on extent and nature of services provided. Prerequisite: permission of the cluster adviser. MUS 4901 Independent Study MUS 4911 Guided Project Meet with the Yeshiva College academic dean and music adviser. Research in music theory, music history, or musicology; music composition in a large form; or an extended performance recital on an instrument or voice. Requirements Music Minor: 16 Total Credits Required Music Courses: 14 Credits History (choose one from the following): 3 Credits MUS 1350, Baroque Music History, 3 Credits MUS 1351, Classical and Early Romantic History, 3 Credits MUS 1352, Late Romantic and Modern Music History, 3 Credits MUS 1354, Film Music Studies, 3 Credits One Music History Elective with a Core Attribute: 3 Credits Courses that fulfill this requirement include: Aesthetic Revolutions MUS 1018, Music and the World Wars MUS 1013, Verdi and Shakespeare MUS 1024, Three Jazz Giants MUS 1391, American Musical Cultures MUS 1014 Theory (two theory and co-requisite ear training labs are required): 8 CREDITS MUS 2105, Music Fundamentals, 2 Credits Prerequisite for 2111 and 2111L; may be double counted as an ELECTIVE; may be exempted with a placement test, administered by department chair, taken at least one semester before taking 2111 and 2111L; if exempted, 2 ELECTIVE credits are still required MUS 2111, Diatonic Harmony and Counterpoint 1*, 3 Credits MUS 2111L, Ear Training 1*, 1 Credits MUS 2112, Diatonic Harmony and Counterpoint 2, 3 Credits MUS 2112L, Ear Training 2, 1 Credits *prerequisite: 2105, Music Fundamentals With instructor’s permission and passing a placement exam, MUS 2111/L-2112/L can be replaced with: MUS 2113, Chromatic Harmony 1, 3 credits MUS 2113L, Ear Training 3, 1 credit MUS 2114, Chromatic Harmony 2, 3 credits MUS 2114L, Ear Training 4, 1 credit Elective Music Courses, 2 Credits MUS 3461, Chamber Ensemble, 1 Credit MUS 3467, Jazz Ensemble, 1 Credit MUS 4111, Applied Music, 1 Credit MUS 2121, Composition, 1 Credit MUS 2105, Music Fundamentals, 2 Credits Prerequisite for 2111 and 2111L; may be exempted with a placement test, administered by department chair, taken at least one semester before taking 2111 and 2111L; if exempted, 2 ELECTIVE credits are still required. Faculty The following list includes faculty who teach at both the Beren (B) and Wilf (W) campuses. Daniel Beliavsky Visiting Associate Professor of Fine Arts and Music (W) Co-Chair, Department of Fine Arts and Music Stanley Dorn Adjunct Instructor in Music (B) David Glaser Professor of Music (B) Co-Chair, Department of Fine Arts and Music Jonathan Schapiro Adjunct Instructor in Music (W) Marcia Young Lecturer in Music (B) Director of Performance Studies
