Music Performance

Program Offerings

Offering type
Minor

The Minor in Music Performance is a rigorous opportunity for students to study the performance of vocal and instrumental music (both jazz and classical) or conducting in the context of a liberal arts education. It provides extensive opportunities for students to hone their skills through participation in department ensembles, recitals, studio instruction and performance classes, and also requires coursework in the Culture and Criticism (C&C) and Materials and Making (M&M) distribution areas. The MPP minor provides a solid foundation for students who may wish to pursue professional music training at the graduate level. 

Goals for Student Learning

The goal of the minor in music performance is to provide a solid foundation in collaborative music making for students who may wish to pursue performance training at the graduate level, or to continue to contribute to the creation and support of performance entities in the future. This minor also provides an array of practica for MUS majors to advance their studies in composition and musicology in a kinetic way. 

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for entering the program, though MUS 105 is recommended.

Admission to the Program

The two-year program is open to rising juniors who can demonstrate in an audition a high level of proficiency in a performance medium such as an orchestral instrument, piano, voice (either solo or consort singing), jazz (voice or instrument) or conducting. 

Admission is by audition, typically in the spring semester of sophomore year. The specific course recommendations as well as lesson and ensemble requirements depend on the admitting program (Instrumental/Vocal Performance, Conducting, Vocal Consort or Jazz Performance).

Program of Study

All students in the Minor in Music Performance are required to fulfill the following course requirements:

  • MUS 105*
  • One (1) Materials and Making course
  • One (1) Culture and Criticism course
  • One (1) MPP course
  • One (1) additional MPP or MUS elective, chosen in consultation with relevant program director
    • By petition to the relevant program director, one of these electives can be outside MUS, though must reflect a coherent plan of study (i.e., a particular African American studies course in support of a plan of study focusing on jazz performance).

*Students placing out of MUS 105 (at the discretion of the instructor) are required to replace it with another MUS elective.

A maximum of three (3) courses can be shared in fulfilling requirements for the MPP minor and the student’s major. See the Department of Music website for specific pathways through the MPP minor and for lists of C&C and M&M courses.

Additional Requirements

Ensemble participation in an approved faculty-led music department ensemble is required in all four semesters of the junior and senior years. The specific ensemble must be for the instrument and performance tradition for which the student was admitted. For cases in which the department does not offer a faculty-led ensemble for the instrument (e.g., classical piano, classical guitar, conducting), students may audition for a different faculty-led ensemble to fulfill the MPP minor ensemble participation requirement, or may pursue equivalent collaborative assignments as detailed on the music department website.

Studio lessons are required and must be taken with a Department of Music studio instructor or, if applicable, a program director. More specific parameters will differ depending on the instrument/performance practice for which the student is admitted. Students will have the option to enroll in lessons for credit (MPP298/299) if they want their work in lessons to be specifically reflected on their transcript. Students who choose to do so may NOT count this course toward completion of MPP course requirements.

A recital or related program-specific performance is required in senior year, which would be a demonstration of core study with the program approved by both applicable studio instructor and relevant program director. Students presenting these performances will also be required to write program notes, approved by the relevant program director. 

See the Department of Music website for the specific ensemble, lesson and recital requirements for the individual programs.

Study Abroad

Students are encouraged to explore the many study abroad opportunities offered at Princeton, two of which are offered by the Department of Music. 

One of these is the unique collaboration Princeton maintains with the Royal College of Music in London (link is external), in which students have the opportunity to participate in a five-year double-degree program (A.B. and M.M.). Students spend the fall semester of their junior year in London. Interested students should email the director of the Program in Music Performance for further details.

The other program is with the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance, also in London, in which students have the opportunity to focus on improvisation, large ensemble performance, and gain from the Conservatoire’s expansive and expanding view of jazz. Interested students should email the Anthony H.P. Lee '79 Director of Jazz for further details. 

Faculty

  • Director

    • Michael J. Pratt

  • Associate Director

    • Gabriel Crouch
    • Rudresh K. Mahanthappa
    • Jeffrey O. Snyder

For a full list of faculty members and fellows please visit the department or program website.

Courses

MPP 213 - Projects in Instrumental Performance Fall/Spring LA

Preparation for performance of instrumental chamber music of the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, both canonic and non-canonic repertoire. Includes weekly coaching with an assigned member of studio faculty and masterclasses with the Ensemble-in-Residence and/or the Program Director of Music Performance. Preparation for performance of ensembles. Each ensemble's repertoire will be determined in consultation with the instructors during the first week of classes. Admission of pre-formed chamber ensembles is by audition. Staff

MPP 214 - Projects in Vocal Performance (also MTD 214) Fall/Spring LA

Taught by a rotating roster of voice faculty members, this course guides students through a series of curated topics in vocal performance, including vocal and performance techniques, repertoire, and interpretation. Typically open to vocalists and pianists, though others may be welcome depending on topic. Admission may be by audition in some cases. Staff

MPP 215 - Projects in Jazz Performance Not offered this year LA

A performance course that focuses on the development of style, concept, and repertoire in the jazz idiom. Students are coached by faculty in extended projects in performance. Staff

MPP 216 - Techniques of Conducting Spring LA

The course focuses on building a structure of physical technique that will communicate good rhythm, musical shaping and character, and also verbal and non-verbal communication. Proper rehearsal strategies will be addressed in the later weeks of the course, and the final exam will be a public performance of a short work. M. Pratt