Instrumental chamber music of the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, both canonic and non-canonic. Preparation for performance of ensembles. Each ensemble's repertoire will be determined in consultation with the instructors during the first week of classes. Students will be required to participate in a culminating performance on December 10, 2025, followed by a brief written assignment due as assigned during the Final Assessment period.

This course will explore the role of the 'aria' in standard operatic literature. Each student will be assigned a number of arias in different languages and from different time periods. The course is open to singers and pianists. Class meetings will involve presentations of recordings or assigned arias, coachings in a master class format and the exploration of operatic style and vocal technique. A culminating concert/recital will take place on December 11, 2025, followed by a brief written assignment that is due on a date during Final Assessment period as determined by the Registrar.

This course will explore Mozart's singspiel, Die Zauberflote. It is open to singers, orchestral players and 2 piano accompanists. The final project will be a full production of the opera with costumes, stage scenery, and orchestra. For this production, the musical selections will be performed in the original German language and the dialogue will be performed with revised/updated translation performed in English.

Originating in the vibrant streets of Trinidad and Tobago, the steel pan has evolved into a global musical phenomenon, captivating hearts and minds with its unique melodies and infectious rhythms. In "Exploring the art of the Steel Pan," you will embark on a journey through rich history, cultural significance, and global influence.Through a combination of lectures and hands-on rehearsals, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the instrument's construction, playing techniques, and its role in various music genres, including calypso, reggae, pop, classical, and more.

This 12-week performance course is an introduction to the language and concepts of Jazz improvisation. The course will use classic performances as material for developing listening acuity, vocabulary, memory, analysis, and historical grasp of the music's evolution in the mid-20th century. By the end of the course, students should be able to improvise through basic song forms with technical competence and confidence in their ability to hear and produce melodies spontaneously.

A performance course in West African drumming with a focus on music from the Manding/Mali Empire. Taught by master drummer Olivier Tarpaga, the course provides hands-on experience on the Djansa rhythm. Students will acquire performance experience, skills and techniques on the Djansa rhythm, and develop an appreciation for the integrity of drumming in the daily life of West Africa.

Independent instruction in voice or instrument is an intensive immersion in all aspects of recreating music for performance. Lessons are geared towards the development and embedding of solid technique, and the application of this technique to proper style and musical expression. Issues explored include but are not limited to interpretation, stylistic appropriateness, historical context, theoretical/syntactical underpinnings, the avoidance of injuries, audition and performance strategies, and career planning.

In this course, we will examine various approaches to chromatic improvisation and composition as well as advanced rhythm techniques. Topics will include concepts such as superimposition, fixed intervals, pitch cells, modes, synthetic scales, 12-tone systems, chromatic harmonization, reharmonization, serialism, polyrhythm, additive rhythm, and more. We will also have several visiting guest artists who are high-level practitioners in the field. Past guests included Anna Webber, Gary Thomas, Miles Okazaki, and Dan Weiss.