Course Descriptions:
Performance Courses

Lessons and Coachings
Instrumental Repertoire Studies Courses
Vocal Studies Courses
Supplementary Performance Courses

KEY TO COURSE LIST
	Odd-numbered courses generally meet in the fall and even-numbered courses meet in the spring.
	The designations "s.h." (semester hours) and "g.c." (graduate credits) indicate credit-hours given per term for undergraduate and graduate courses, respectively.
	Yearlong, two-semester courses are designated by hyphenated course numbers. Students must successfully complete both semesters of required yearlong courses to satisfy the graduation requirement.
	The symbol * indicates a course that is not offered every year.

LESSONS AND COACHINGS
Major Lessons Fall and Spring; various s.h. or g.c./term
One lesson/equivalent per week with the student's major
instructor. Younger students may receive two lessons per week.
Voice and instrumental majors receive four s.h./term credit;
piano, composition and conducting majors receive six s.h./term
credit. Opera students receive one g.c./term credit.

Composition Seminar CMP 001–002; 1 s.h./term
Examination and analysis of student compositions in a masterclass
format.

Early Music Performance HRC 001–002; 1 s.h./term
Examination of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century performance
practice through lectures, demonstrations, and coachings.

Chamber Music CHM 101–402; 1 s.h./term
Regular coaching of student string, brass, woodwind, and mixed ensembles by Curtis's chamber music faculty. Trios, quartets, and larger ensembles are formed by students or assigned by the faculty. Required of all piano and orchestral instrument majors with specific repertoire requirements for each semester.

Score Analysis CND 113–114; 1 s.h./term
Detailed study of the structure of orchestral scores for conducting majors.

[top]

INSTRUMENTAL REPERTOIRE STUDIES
Orchestral Repertoire: Brass BRS 001–002; 1 s.h./term
Percussion PRC 001–002; 1 s.h./term
Strings STG 001–002; 1 s.h./term
Woodwinds WWD 001–002; 1 s.h./term
Weekly sectional study and rehearsal of orchestral literature,
required of all string, woodwind, brass, and percussion orchestra members.

Orchestra ORC 001–002; 3 s.h./term
Participation in the Curtis Symphony Orchestra, as well as the
Curtis Chamber Orchestra. Required of all orchestral instrument
majors sixteen years of age and older.

Organ Class ORG 001–002; 1 s.h./term
Weekly performance class, required of all organ majors. All repertoire to be performed from memory.

20/21: The Curtis Contemporary Music Ensemble
ORC 211–212; 1 s.h./term
Participation in 20/21, an ensemble devoted to studying, rehearsing, and performing twentieth- and twenty-first-century
compositions.

Piano Repertoire Seminar PNO 221–222; 1 s.h./term
Weekly performance class, required of all piano majors.

Lab Orchestra ORC 311–312; 1 s.h./term
Practice in conducting ensembles from the symphony orchestra,
required of all conducting majors.
[top]

VOCAL STUDIES
(With the permission of the managing director of the Vocal Studies Department, students in other departments may participate in some of these courses.)

Diction DCT 001–002; 0.5 s.h./term
Work in all the major singing languages: Italian, French, German, and English. In this course, all aspects of language (diction, grammar, and interpretation of text) are regarded as important tools of the singer's craft.

Diction Coaching DCT 101–102; 1 s.h./term
DCT 401–402; 0.5 g.c./term
DCT 411–412; 0.5 g.c./term
The application of diction fundamentals to prepare for vocal
performances.

Voice Repertoire Coaching VRP 101–102; 1.5 s.h./term
VRP 401–402; 1.5 g.c./term
Vocal and musical preparation with opera and voice coaches for operatic and recital performances.

Feldenkrais Method or Alexander Technique
VRP 113; 0.5 s.h./term
OPR 501.1–502.1; 1 g.c./term
An introduction to gentle, novel, guided movement sequences
that focus awareness on the subtle patterns of movement,
breathing, and alignment. The course aims to enhance flexibility, intelligence, and grace in movement.

History of Singing: The Recorded Legacy
MHS 201–202; 2 s.h./term
A study of the history of vocal performance, using recordings
from the past and present.

Acting Seminar VRP 205–206; 1 s.h./term
An undergraduate course in the method of developing the
emotional and physical life of a character through examination
of the text. Using improvisation and other methods, the course
cultivates the skill of acting while singing.

Voice Performance Seminar VRP 301–302; 1 s.h./term
Weekly undergraduate repertoire class for voice majors.

Opera History Seminar MHS 505–506; 0.5 g.c./term
A study of the growth of the operatic form from the Camerata
of 1597 to the mid-twentieth century. Emphasis is on major
works of the standard operatic literature from Italy, France,
and Germany.

Opera Staging OPR 571–572; 3 g.c./term
OPR 671–672; 3 g.c./term
Rehearsals for major productions.

Opera Performance Seminar VRP 501–502; 0.5 g.c./term
Weekly graduate repertoire class for opera majors, in which
singers can perform for each other and try out new material in a constructive environment.

[top]

SUPPLEMENTARY PERFORMANCE
Supplementary Harpsichord HRC 005–006; 2 s.h./term
One lesson per week with a member of the harpsichord faculty.

Supplementary Piano PNO 001–002; 0.5 s.h./term
One lesson per week with a member of the supplementary piano faculty. Required for two years of all undergraduates who are not exempted from the supplementary piano requirement by examination.

Supplementary Voice VOI 001–002; 0.5 s.h./term
One lesson per week with a member of the voice faculty or a
graduate student. Open as a performance elective to all students.

Viola for Violinists VLA 101–102; 1 s.h./term
One lesson per week with a member of the viola faculty. Open as a performance elective to violin majors.

Elements of Conducting CND 401–402; 3 s.h./term
Introduction to the technique of leading larger ensembles, basic beat patterns, techniques of expression, and baton and score-reading skills. One semester required of all Bachelor of Music students.

[top]