Music

We are committed to providing the highest quality musical education in an inclusive and engaging environment, serving the Bronx and surrounding region with talented students, skilled faculty, superior performing ensembles, and top quality academic offerings.

We warmly invite the entire Lehman community to make music with us this year. Whether you are a seasoned performer or would like to learn an instrument, the Music Department has a course or an ensemble to help you reach your musical goals. You don't have to be a major to play with us!

Programs in Music

Bachelor of Science in Music 64 credits

The Bachelor of Science in Music is a flexible yet rigorous degree designed to give students a solid musical foundation that suits a variety of careers in music and the arts generally. Graduates of our program have gone to enjoy careers in music education, arts journalism, performance, arts and non-profit management, and composition.

Students may design their own concentrations by choosing the following music electives:

Pre-Music Therapy: for those interested in Graduate studies in Music Therapy

  • MSH 245: Introduction to Music Therapy (3 cr)
  • MSH 246: Music and the Brain (3 cr)
  • MST 371: Practicum in Music Therapy (1 cr; repeat 3 times)
  • MST 496: Senior Project: Music
  • + One other music elective of your choice

*Students wishing to pursue Music Therapy at the graduate level should develop their piano and guitar skills (MSP 191, MSP 185), seek practicum experiences in three clinical settings (MST 371) along with courses in psychology (PSY 166, PSY 232, PSY 234) and biology and human development (BIO 173) and HIN 268).

Film Scoring/Digital Applications

  • MST 221: Fundamentals of Film Music (3 cr)
  • MST 321: Creating Music with Computers (3 cr)
  • MST 322: Recording Techniques and Studio Production (3 cr)
  • MST 323: Scoring for Media (3 cr)
  • + MST 496: Senior Project: Film Scoring or Recording Project

Musicology/Ethnomusicology

  • MSH 369: History of Jazz (3 cr)
  • MSH 370: American Popular Music (3 cr)
  • MSH 350: Topics in Ethnomusicology (3 cr, may be taken twice as topics change)
  • + MST 496: Senior Project: Music Research Project

Music Education Dual Credit Program

Save time and money as you work towards your state teaching certification.

Maintain a GPA of 3.0 and you can apply for the Dual Credit Program: in your final year of undergraduate studies, take up to 12 credits in the Graduate Program in Music Education and have those courses count as electives towards your undergraduate degree. Then, upon successful entry to the Masters of Arts in Teaching program, those courses will transfer towards your graduate degree.

  • MSH 750: Special Topics in Music History (3 cr)
  • MSH 751: Topics in Ethnomusicology (3 cr)
  • MSP 750: Topics in Music Performance (3 cr)
  • MST 710: Advanced Musical Analysis (3 cr)
  • MST 712: Music, Computers, and Multimedia Pedagogy (3 cr)

Students wishing to teach in New York State schools may want to tailor their degree with conducting (MSP 445 and MSP 446) and a variety of vocal and instrumental performance courses (MSP 166, MSP 227, and others) before entering our Master’s program which prepares candidates for initial certification.

We offer a variety of professional development workshops throughout the year, masterclasses with outstanding performers, and guest artists who inspire.

Music, B.S. (64 Credit Major)

Minor in Digital Music Applications 16 credits

The new Minor in Digital Music Applications allows students in any major the opportunity to gain fundamental skills in digital music creation, editing, and recording. Our state-of-the-art recording studio and multi-media center along with our student lab and “smart” classrooms offer ample opportunity for hands-on experience. Courses in Film Music and Scoring for Media introduce creative techniques applied to new digital media.

MST 236 Theory 1 (3)

MST 266 Musicianship 1 (1)

MST 221 Fundamentals of Film Music

MST 321 Making Music with Computers (3) (1)

MST 322 Recording Techniques and Studio Production (3)

MST 323 Scoring for Media (3)

Minor in Music / 12 credits

The minor in music is a flexible student-driven minor that can pair with any major. Typically students take a variety of courses from history, theory, and performance, but any combination of courses may be selected in consultation with a faculty advisor to constitute the minor.  

It is recommended that students seek a balance between history, theory, and performance with the following as a suggested program:

  • MSH 200 Introduction to Music History and Culture (3)
  • MST 236 Theory 1 (3)
  • MST 266 Musicianship 1 (1)
  • at least 2 ensemble credits from the MSP 100/20x series (1 credit for each ensemble)
  • one other course of the student’s choosing (3)

Master of Arts in Teaching: Applied Music and Music Teaching 39 or 42 credits

The combined Master's Degree in Applied Music and Music Teaching offers students who have already earned a bachelor's degree and developed a professional level of performance ability the opportunity to continue serious study in music while simultaneously developing teaching competency. The program is designed to prepare students to apply for K-12 certification in New York State. Upon successful completion of additional certification requirements, including specified teacher examinations, candidates will be eligible to receive Initial Certification to teach music in New York State in grades K-12. Courses are offered in Pedagogical Methods, Music History, Theory, and Performance along with School of Education topics. Students are supervised in their fieldwork and student teaching or internship by faculty members in the Department of Music, Multimedia, Theatre, and Dance.

  • Applied Music and Music Teaching M.A.T. Program

Advanced Certificate

The Advanced Certificate in Applied Music and Music Teaching offers students with a Ph.D., Ed.D, D.M.A., or in certain cases, a Master’s degree in Music, a pathway to fulfill the required courses for music certification in New York Public School system. The program is designed to prepare students to apply for K-12 certification in New York State. Upon successful completion of additional certification requirements, including specified teacher examinations and workshops, candidates will be eligible to receive Initial Certification to teach music in New York State in grades K-12. Courses are offered in Pedagogical Methods, Music Pedagogy, along with School of Education topics. Students are supervised in their fieldwork and student teaching or internship by faculty members in the Department of Music, Multimedia, Theatre, and Dance.

  • Advanced Certificate Program in Applied Music and Music Teaching