• Techniques of Music (Minor)

  • Overview

    The Techniques of Music minor is offered through the College of Performing Arts. This minor is available to all undergraduate students, with the exception of students in the BM degrees in Composition, Conducting and Theory.

    This minor provides an in-depth course of study in three areas of music: theoretical (theory and analysis), practical (ear training and dictation), and creative (composition and composition-related). Expertise in these fundamental areas can be applied to various career paths and extracurricular interests such as music performance, teaching, composition, and more.

    Students interested in the minor can simulate a worksheet that accounts for courses already completed and in progress using the "What If" feature in Degree Works.

    Course availability may vary from semester to semester. Some courses may be in development and offered at a later time. Students seeking to pursue alternative coursework to fulfill the minor should consult with their advisors.

    Curriculum

    Subject AreaSample CoursesCredits
    Theory and Analysis* CATM 1005–CATM 4206 Theory 1A–Theory 4B
    CATM 3255–CATM 4256 Analysis 1A–Analysis 2B
    6
    Ear Training and DictationCATM 1215–CATM 4216 Ear Training 1A–4B
    CATM 1225–CATM 4226 Dictation 1A–4B
    4
    KeyboardCATM 1135–CATM 3136 Piano 1A–2B
    CATM 2245–CATM 4246 Keyboard 1A–3B
    2
    CompositionCCMP 2000 Composition for Non-majors
    CCMP 2150 - Fundamentals of Orchestration
    CCMP 3155-3156 Orchestration 1 (A/B)
    2
    ElectivesCATM 3270 Techniques of Music Since 1900
    CATM 5625–CATM 5626 Dictation 5A–5B
    CPBD 4000–CPBD 5090 Pedagogy: Theory, Ear Training, and Dictation, Analysis
    Various electives in composition, improvisation, and technology by advisement
    4

    *Theory courses serve as introductory or gateway courses and should be taken prior to declaring the minor.

    Learning Outcomes

    A student who has completed this minor should be able to:

    • Demonstrate proficiency with the fundamentals of music theory and with harmony and counterpoint through part writing and analysis
    • Demonstrate proficiency with ear training and dictation, use fixed-do solfège to sing music in several clefs, conduct and sing melodic and rhythmic patterns of varying difficulty, and transcribe and analyze passages of varying difficulty, ranging from single voice to four voice
    • Apply knowledge and skills of Techniques of Music to compositional and performance-related practice

    Students with 14 credits of coursework completed at the 3000 level or above can earn an "Advanced Techniques of Music" minor; appropriate coursework is determined by placement testing and advisement.

    Eligibility

    The Techniques of Music minor is available to all undergraduate students at The New School, though requires an application for admission. Coursework in the Techniques of Music is determined by placement exam. 

    For questions regarding this minor's curriculum, including requests for course substitutions, please contact CoPA Academics, copaacademics@newschool.edu  

    How to Declare, Change, or Apply to a Minor

    General guidelines for declaring a minor are available here. Current students can declare or change a minor by logging in to my.newschool.edu, clicking on the Academics tab, and then clicking on the link to Major/Minor Declarations.

    An application is required for admission to this minor. Access the application form by logging in to my.newschool.edu, clicking on the Academics tab, and then clicking on the link to Major/Minor Declarations.

    To start a minor in the fall, submit your application by March 1. Notification of decision on minor applications happens by April 1.

    To start a minor in the spring, submit your application by October 1. Notification of decision on minor applications happens by November 1.

  • Take the Next Step

    Contact your Student Success advisor to discuss how a minor will fit with your degree requirements.

    Declare or change a minor on my.newschool.edu in the Academics tab. 

  • Take The Next Step

Submit your application

Undergraduates

To apply to any of our undergraduate programs (except the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs) complete and submit the Common App online.

Undergraduate Adult Learners

To apply to any of our Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

Graduates

To apply to any of our Master's, Doctoral, Professional Studies Diploma, and Graduate Certificate programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

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