College Catalog
Instrumental Performance: Percussion
Description and requirements Faculty Courses
Description:
In the percussion program, students have numerous performance opportunities, including the Percussion Ensemble, Contemporary Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and Opera Orchestra, as well as collaborative opportunities with the other conservatories and schools at Purchase.
All percussion students are required to perform solo recitals in their junior and senior years, and are encouraged to present their own projects and participate in off-campus performances in New York City and surrounding areas. In addition, students participate in the annual Purchase College Day of Percussion, which features world-class clinicians and many concerts.
The percussion facilities at Purchase are among the most outstanding in the nation, with six private practice rooms exclusively for the use of the percussion program, plus a separate rehearsal room for the Percussion Ensemble. Purchase College owns a vast array of percussion instruments, and the conservatory continually expands and updates the collection.
Bachelor of Music Requirements:
In addition to meeting General Education requirements and other degree requirements, undergraduate music performance majors who concentrate in percussion must complete the following conservatory requirements (104 credits). Of the 104 credits, up to 8 credits of music history may be counted toward the liberal arts requirement (30 credits minimum) for the degree.
Freshman Year: 26 credits
Sophomore Year: 31 credits
Junior Year: 28 credits
Senior Year: 19 credits
*Music History Electives (Effective Fall 2020)
HIS2150/ Rock, Pop, and Jazz: A History of Jewish Creativity in Music
MUS1035/Jazz Choir
MUS 1060/Reflections Western Music
MTH 1560/Introduction to World Music
MTH 2130/Music and Politics, 1800-1950
MTH 3170/Techniques of Composition for Performers
MTH 3400/History of Jazz I
MTH 3450/History of Jazz II
MTH 3520/Disruption and Art Music
MTH 3575/Music from Antiquity
MTH 3576/Music of the Common Practice Era
MTH 3577/Expansion of Chromaticism
MTH 3578/Music Since 1945
MTH 3600/The Music of J. S. Bach
MTH 3620/Music of Beethoven
MTH 3630/Berlioz, Wagner, and Liszt
MTH 3670/Mahler and Strauss
MTH 3680/Shostakovich and The Soviet Era
MTH 4075/Post-Tonal Theory & Analysis
MTH 4120/History of Recorded Music I
MTH 4130/History of Recorded Music II
MTH 4235/Opera Queens: LGBTQ Representation in Opera Onstage and Off
MTH 4340/World Traditions in Music
MUS 4520/Trends in Music in Society
Master of Music requirements:
Graduate music majors who concentrate in percussion must meet the following conservatory requirements (42 credits) and earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA at Purchase College.
First Year: 21 credits
Second Year: 21 credits
Music Artist Diploma Requirements:
This diploma is intended for graduate students in music who have completed the master’s degree requirements for their areas of study.
To earn the two-year Artist Diploma in percussion, students must meet the following conservatory requirements (18 credits for the one-year program; 36 credits for the two-year program):
First Year: 18 credits
Second Year: 18 credits
Music Performers Certificate Requirements:
This is a postbaccalaureate program for students who have completed the undergraduate requirements for their areas of study and are entering into careers as performers in solo, ensemble, or studio settings.
To earn the two-year Performers Certificate in percussion, students must meet the following conservatory requirements (18 credits for the one-year program; 36 credits for the two-year program):
First Year: 18 credits
Second Year: 18 credits
Official Catalog: Published September 27, 2024
Course Frequencies
Since actual course offerings vary from semester to semester, students should consult the myHeliotrope course schedule to determine whether a particular course is offered in a given semester.
Information Changes
In preparing the College Catalog, every effort is made to provide pertinent and accurate information. However, information contained in the catalog is subject to change, and Purchase College assumes no liability for catalog errors or omissions. Updates and new academic policies or programs will appear in the college’s information notices and will be noted in the online catalog.
It is the responsibility of each student to ascertain current information (particularly degree and major requirements) through frequent reference to current materials and consultation with the student’s faculty advisor, chair or director, and related offices (e.g., enrollment services, advising center).
Notwithstanding anything contained in the catalog, Purchase College expressly reserves the right, whenever it deems advisable, to change or modify its schedule of tuition and fees; withdraw, cancel, reschedule, or modify any course, program of study, degree, or any requirement or policy in connection with the foregoing; and to change or modify any academic or other policy.