General Education

First-Year Experience establishes and strengthens college-level writing and communication skills through foundational subject areas of CIM’s general education curriculum. The common element of shared learning is vital and the best class discussions extend into 1609 Hazel and CIM’s hallways. This two-semester course provides a base of skills you will use and cultivate further throughout your CIM experience. Topics covered will include community engagement, entrepreneurism, teaching artistry, and music from outside the Western European vein.

First-Year Experience establishes and strengthens college-level writing and communication skills through foundational subject areas of CIM’s general education curriculum. The common element of shared learning is vital and the best class discussions extend into 1609 Hazel and CIM’s hallways. This two-semester course provides a base of skills you will use and cultivate further throughout your CIM experience. Topics covered will include community engagement, entrepreneurism, teaching artistry and music from outside the Western European vein.

This class examines issues that classical music and the classical musician face within society and culture. Topics such as sexism, racism, "cancel culture," repertoire choices by major orchestras, government funding, activism and social media will be discussed, including their impact, how the modern musician navigates them and how musicians can leverage their skills to create a better world.

Musical Entrepreneurship and Digital Communication blends class gatherings, guest perspectives, and independent study, closely supervised by the instructor. The intensive is tailored to each student’s digital literacy and interest, and provides a framework for growth as informed, confident digital communicators.

Foundational concepts including success metrics, brand identity, audience development, accessibility, and content strategy will be applied to digital audiovisual media trends, music equity innovation, and program design and marketing. Students will use a variety of digital resources and tools and learn to identify and evaluate digital media opportunities. Students will integrate the intensive curriculum into cohesive individual digital projects that serve their personal strategies as musician, performer, educator, and arts advocate.

Assignments include readings and multimedia, written assignments, interviews, participation, presentations, and peer reviews. Some classes may take place remotely.

Fulfills an elective or the general education requirement for math/science/reasoning. Examine the fundamental physics of sound, acoustics and human hearing and how to apply these ideas to musical topics.

Fulfills an elective or the general education requirement for social science. Learn how to use research-based psychological practice in performance.

This one-hour course covers a variety of professional development topics via presentations/guest speakers and ensures proper review of professional materials (i.e. resumes and cover letters). The capstone assignments are (1) program notes on an assigned work for the student’s senior recital and (2) a self-guided performance project to take place outside of CIM.

Classical musicians must often act as communicators, educators, advocates and researchers in order to advance their musical goals and visions. This course will provide opportunities to develop your research, writing and public speaking skills, and will help prepare you for the music history portion of your comprehensive exams, which involves submitting a recital program and annotated bibliography of resources consulted, in preparation for writing essays to assess your ability to integrate your knowledge of music history and literature.

Musical Entrepreneurship and Digital Communication blends class gatherings, guest perspectives, and independent study, closely supervised by the instructor. The intensive is tailored to each student’s digital literacy and interest, and provides a framework for growth as informed, confident digital communicators.

Foundational concepts including success metrics, brand identity, audience development, accessibility, and content strategy will be applied to digital audiovisual media trends, music equity innovation, and program design and marketing. Students will use a variety of digital resources and tools and learn to identify and evaluate digital media opportunities. Students will integrate the intensive curriculum into cohesive individual digital projects that serve their personal strategies as musician, performer, educator, and arts advocate.

Assignments include readings and multimedia, written assignments, interviews, participation, presentations, and peer reviews. Some classes may take place remotely.