Performance (B.M.)
Music students perform at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in New York City.
SELECTED COURSES
- Performance Repertoire and Pedagogy
- Pianist as Collaborator
- Chamber Music
In this program you’ll have lots of chances to do what you love: perform. You’ll give at least two recitals -- a program requirement -- allowing you to showcase your growing expertise in your instrument or voice. You’ll gain that expertise by participating in a wide range of ensembles, having weekly private lessons with a faculty member, and attending a weekly repertoire class, where you’ll perform and discuss literature with your peers.
If you’re a piano major, you can choose to specialize in accompanying. With this emphasis, you’ll be expected to meet the same requirements as a piano major and will be ready for further study at the graduate level.
Other music majors may opt to enter the performance degree program after one or two semesters by auditioning for a performance-faculty committee.
Performance Today
We don’t need to tell you that practice makes perfect. But have you heard that performance makes perfect? We believe that the frequent performance opportunities you’ll find at Ithaca are your keys to success. Consider:
- In addition to performing for your teacher during your weekly lesson, you’ll play for your peers and professor in a weekly repertoire class. There you’ll critique each other in a supportive atmosphere, learn from each other’s strengths, and establish lifelong professional contacts. You’ll also have the opportunity to review performance techniques and meet guest artists.
- You’ll participate in at least one ensemble per semester, further increasing your time in front of an audience.
- You may give one or more recitals to showcase your growing expertise or collaborate with other Ithaca students on projects such as a recent operatic treatment of The Scarlet Letter, which was written and conducted by a composition student.
- Tours may take you to cities in the East, such as New York and Washington, or even overseas. Our ensembles have won critical acclaim for their work in New York City at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully and Avery Fisher Halls, Symphony Space, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. They’ve also performed at the Royal Academy of Music in London and in medieval churches and concert venues in Ireland, including the National Concert Hall in Dublin.
- You may perform off campus as a soloist or in area ensembles, as well as at regional and national conferences and festivals.
Why so much emphasis on performance? The opportunity to make music for an increasingly wider audience is an integral part of your training and pushes you to new heights as a musician.
