MUSIC TRACK

The Music Honors Track includes Music majors and non-Music majors with extended music background who have an interest in music as a liberal art, beyond its vocational aspects. It is designed to enhance the existing Music degree programs or electives for non-Music majors. Note that this track has sophomore requirements including an interview with the track director.

Components:

• One (1) semester of Music Research Methods
• Two (2) semesters of Music Honors Seminar
• Two (2) directed electives approved by the Track Director as background for the Music Honors Project. The directed electives may count towards the major or minor in addition to the Honors Track.
• Capstone project in the senior year: Music Honors Project – a culmination of the student's honors experience, in the form of a lecture, paper, musical score, report of research, recital, recording, or performance

Required Track Courses

1. MUSI 4960 Music Honors Research Methods (taken in the spring of sophomore year, or spring of junior year for transfer students)
2. MUSI 4970 Music Honors Seminar (can be taken in any semester of the track)
3. Two (2) directed electives approved by the Track Director as background for the Music Honors Project.
4. MUSI 4980 Music Honors Project (must be taken in the senior year)

MUSIC HONORS TRACK CURRICULUM

Music Honors Research Methods, MUSI 4960

This two-credit course instructs students in the nature, purposes, and types of entry-level research for music. Topics include the basics of music bibliography/webliography and academic writing about music-related topics. Prerequisites: Acceptance into Music Honors Track by application and interview.

Music Honors Seminar, MUSI 4970

This one-credit course in a two -semester sequence is the forum for basic orientation, communication, group collaboration, analysis, assessment, and mentoring for students in the Music Honors Track of the University Honors College. Through readings, discussions, small projects, and guest artist presentations, students will combine and synthesize all previous knowledge from Music and Honors curriculum courses in various course topics chosen by students

Music Honors Project, MUSI 4980

This course is designed to assist students in the preparation and completion of their capstone Music Honors Project. The Music Honors Project includes the following elements: (1) a written document, consisting of an artist statement, a creative and/or academic project, and self-evaluation, and (2) a presentation of the project. Employing independent research, methods, and skills, students will complete the Music Honors sequence with an artist statement, along with a document, recording, presentation, and/or performance, covering a vast array of topics, which may include, but not be limited to: analysis, composition, pedagogy, music education, musicology, recording, performance, or interdisciplinary art forms with music.

What are Honors Music Track thesis topics?

Students pursue a variety of interests in their choice of final projects. For specific Honors College thesis guidelines, review the final section of this Handbook.

Current and past projects in the Music Track include:

• "Unveiling the Veil: Exploring the Protest Roots of Bossa Nova and MPB" with a correlating concept album
• "Resistance Symbolism in Palestinian Music"
• “The “Great American Songbook” — How a Song Becomes a “Jazz Standard” with jazz trio recording
• “Comparative Analysis of Black Women Composers During the 20th Century” with solo performance
• “Jazz Album Art: Fusing Art and Music in Miles Okazaki’s Mirror, Generations and Figurations”
• “The Application of Color in Teaching Early Music Education: How Chromesthesia Can Train Relative Pitch”
• “What Makes an Etude an Etude: The Art of Pedagogical Composition” with new compositions for publication
• “Music Therapy for Students with Auditory Processing Disorder: Education as a Means for Enhancing Neuroplasticity”

Students have also explored the popular music of several countries and completed transcriptions for instrumental ensembles, as well as performed and recorded original compositions for their final projects.

Many Music Track final projects involve creative projects. For these, we adhere to Honors College guidelines on page 50

What do Honors Music Track students do after they graduate?

Former Music Honors Track students have garnered many awards, and/or have been accepted to prestigious positions, and master's, doctoral, and certificate programs throughout the world including at The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes, New York University, Peabody, The New School, and Carnegie Mellon. Most recently, these awards include an American-Scandinavian Fellow in Helsinki, Finland, invited solo performances abroad in Italy and Prague, Outstanding Senior Award at William Paterson University, and a position with Live Nation. 

Who should apply?

Music majors and non-Music majors who possess extended music background with an interest in music as a liberal art beyond its vocational aspects.

How do I enroll?

To enroll in the Music Honors Track, contact the director, Dr. Christopher Herbert, [email protected] to complete an initial interview. You must also complete the track application online following the interview process.

About the Track Director:

Dr. Christopher Dylan Herbert is an Associate Professor at William Paterson University. He teaches one-on-one voice lessons, teaches Music History, advises students, manages and coordinates the Vocal Program, directs Opera Workshop, and is the Music Honors Track Director.

As a professional vocalist, Dr. Herbert performs frequently throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and is a two-time GRAMMY® nominee. He has soloed with The San Francisco Symphony and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, performed Ginastera centennial celebrations with International Contemporary Ensemble and the Choir of Trinity Wall Street, and consistently presents Winterize – an outdoor adaptation of Winterreise with transistor radios.

He holds a B.A. in Music and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from Yale University, an M.A. in Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University, and D.M.A. in Voice from The Juilliard School. His current research focus includes the music and culture of the American colonial period. He was the baritone in the critically acclaimed ensemble New York Polyphony from 2010 to 2020.
www.christopherdylanherbert.com