Courses
The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular term. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the MyBU Student Portal for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.
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CFA MP 585: Baroque String Techniques
This course description is currently under construction. -
CFA MP 599: Alexander Technique
Students are taught the principles of the Alexander Technique. Students will begin to become aware of their habitual patterns; patterns of movement, daily life, voice etc. The class explores breathing, performance anxiety, and efficient movement choices. This helps with preventing injury. Students learn to deepen the exploration of habits; examining details of playing instruments, breathing, speaking and sitting. Students develop powers of observation and awareness and patterns of thinking. As the class brings in more explorations, the students begin to see how the Alexander Technique can help their musical life. -
CFA MP 600: Boston University Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra
The Boston University School of Music Orchestral Program, which includes the Symphony Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra, plays a central role in the education of the School's instrumentalists. The primary conductors, with faculty coaches and guest conductors, lead the orchestras in more than sixteen concerts each season including special performances such as two mainstage operas, the Student Concerto Competition Winners Concert, and two annual performances at Boston's Symphony Hall during which the Symphonic Chorus also appears. Readings and recordings of standard orchestral repertoire and student compositions take place throughout the year. The orchestras require placement auditions each September. -
CFA MP 601: University Choruses
The Boston University Choruses consists of soprano/alto and tenor/bass choral ensembles. University Choruses integrates elements of auditory, vocal, kinesthetic, and aesthetic dimensions of vocal music though analysis and exploration of vocal performance in efficient rehearsals and high-quality performance. University Choruses repertoire is intentionally eclectic, covering a wide range of treble chorus and musical idioms in a variety of languages spanning from the renaissance to contemporary music as well as music traditions of diverse cultures and popular music. BU University Choruses presents at least two concerts each semester and supports various artistic events throughout the BU community and greater Boston/New England region. -
CFA MP 602: Boston University Wind Ensembles
The Boston University Wind Ensemble is designed to prepare wind, brass, and percussion players for their professional careers in ensemble performance. It also provides future music educators with institute standard teaching concepts and methods related to the study of band repertoire and performance. The ensemble challenges students through both standard repertoire as well as new music written for symphonic bands. The Wind Ensemble requires a placement audition each September. -
CFA MP 603: Boston University Symphonic Chorus
Required of undergraduate vocal performance majors. May be repeated for credit. 0.5 cr. -
CFA MP 604: Chamber Choir
Required of undergraduate vocal performance majors. May be repeated for credit. -
CFA MP 606: Opera Theatre
Designed for graduate singers who demonstrate operatic potential and have mastered an intermediate integration of acting, vocal, and movement skills. Coursework includes acting, music and dramatic coaching of scenes and arias, movement classes, diction, scenes participation audition preparation, and master classes. All students enrolled in Opera Theatre will be considered for casting in principal roles when appropriate and in consultation with the student's applied teacher. All students in Opera Theatre will also participate in the mainstage production ensembles. Other performance opportunities may include scenes programs or one act operas. Admission by audition. -
CFA MP 607: New Music Ensemble
Time's Arrow is a new music ensemble of unfixed instrumentation, performing works for unspecified instrumentation and music of fixed instrumentation, both large and small ensembles and soloist. The group works directly with composers whenever possible. May be repeated for credit. Does not fulfill musical organization requirements. -
CFA MP 608: Chamber Music
Study and performance of chamber music in various combinations. Chamber ensembles receive one hour of coaching each week with a member of the faculty. (May be repeated for credit.) 1 cr Registration for MP608 is restricted to MM, PD, and DMA candidates. BM candidates should register for MP408/409 in order to fulfill the Teamwork/Collaboration area of the BU Hub. -
CFA MP 609: Baroque Chamber Music
Study and performance of Baroque chamber music for winds, strings, and continuo. Ensembles receive one hour of coaching each week with a member of the applied music faculty in the Historical Performance Department. (May be repeated for credit.) 1 cr. -
CFA MP 610: Ensemble for Pianists
Admission by audition. Four-hand and ensemble work for piano; works using piano with small combinations of instruments. (May be repeated for credit.) 1 cr. -
CFA MP 611: Piano Literature 1
A study of keyboard literature from the early 17th through the pre-Classical period. Students will explore and discuss the main forms and genres in keyboard music of this time period, notable composers and their styles, the development of keyboard instruments, difference in editions, and performance practices. [3 units] -
CFA MP 612: Piano Literature 2
A study of keyboard literature of the Classical period. Students will explore and discuss the main forms and genres in keyboard music, notable and lesser-known composers and their styles, the development of the piano and its impact on the compositional output, difference in editions, and performance practices. [3 units] -
CFA MP 613: Piano Literature 3
A study of keyboard literature of the Romantic period. Students will explore and discuss main forms and genres in keyboard music of this time, notable and lesser-known composers and their styles, the development of the piano and its impact on the compositional output, and the relation between music and other arts. -
CFA MP 614: Piano Literature 4
A study of keyboard literature of the 20th and 21st centuries. Students will explore and discuss various trends and styles through key works by notable and lesser-known composers. -
CFA MP 615: Piano Pedagogy 1
Through written assignments, class discussions, and oral presentations, students will explore the following areas: historical study of major piano pedagogues from 1600 to the early 1900s and critical analysis of their philosophies and methods; understanding learning styles and personality types of students; examination of approaches in teaching piano technique, rhythm, reading, and musicality for elementary to early intermediate students across various ages; critical analysis and evaluation of piano method books and group piano textbooks; observation and evaluation of teaching videos and websites; practical aspects of building a private studio. [2 units] Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Writing-Intensive Course, Historical Consciousness. -
CFA MP 616: Piano Pedagogy 2
Undergraduate Prerequisites: Piano Pedagogy 1 (MP 415) and First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120) Advanced piano pedagogy, continued from MP 415. This course explores topics in piano pedagogy specific to intermediate to early advanced students. Through class discussions, written assignments, projects, teaching observations, and oral presentations, students will explore the following areas: selecting appropriate repertoire; teaching piano technique, rhythm, and interpretation across varied repertoire; introducing practice strategies, performance psychology, and techniques for leading masterclasses. [2 units] Effective Spring 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Writing-Intensive Course, Historical Consciousness. -
CFA MP 621: Accompaniment Skills
Practical training in ensemble techniques for piano majors, featuring in-class partnerships with vocalists, instrumentalists, and fellow pianists. May be repeated for credit. 1 cr. Either semester. -
CFA MP 622: Duo Sonata Repertoire for Strings and Piano
Focused study of a specific body of string duo sonata repertoire through in-class performance, analysis, and critique. Additional duo rehearsal required. Topic varies by semester.
