The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music

Established in fall 1986 by David Levy, (then Dean of Parsons) and jazz saxophonist and iconoclast Arnie Lawrence, The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music is thriving at 20! In keeping with its founders’ vision, the school remains at the forefront of music education by combining the teaching model of the community-based, mentor-student style of jazz’s early years with the academic rigor and curricular depth of a modern conservatory - providing what is essential for our students and graduates to meet the artistic and professional demands of today’s highly competitive music industry.


THE PROGRAM

THE MISSION
The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music offers a unique course of study in which a passionately engaged faculty of professional artists, drawn from New York City’s renowned jazz community, guides serious and talented students toward high standards of achievement and the ongoing development of the individual creative voice. Our curriculum is based on the respected tradition of artist-as-mentor, and is taught by accomplished, active artists with significant links to the history and evolution of jazz, blues, pop, and new genres. Our students—the emerging performers, composers, and arrangers who will take their places among the best practitioners of jazz and related genres—combine the expertise traditionally linked to conservatory training with the generative spirit and vigor of jazz. The school sees its mission as “respecting tradition, embracing innovation.”

The widely varied backgrounds of both The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music students and instructors — as well as curricular depth — have resulted in The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music receiving international recognition as a leading center of arts education today. Bachelor of Fine Arts students do their core work in classrooms and private studios with exceptional musician-educators. Here they gain direct exposure to modern music's traditions and practices in an intellectual context that encourages exploration and innovation. Students in Jazz are also provided numerous opportunities for cross-registration in classes ranging from classical theory, composition, counterpoint, and musicology to music therapy, management, and liberal arts. The opportunity to take courses at Mannes College The New School of Music adds great depth to our students’ curriculum and provides an additional standard of professionalism against which students can measure their achievements and progress.

Other divisions of The New School add a special dimension to our Jazz students’ educational experience. Jazz students may register for a range of arts and humanities classes through these divisions and program, and students are encouraged to participate in artistic collaborations and performances with them as well. And, of course, all of this enrichment takes place in New York City, whose vast cultural and intellectual environment offers unmatched opportunities for creative development and inspiration.

Our curriculum is based on the age-old tradition of artist-as- mentor, and is taught by accomplished, active artists with significant links to the history and evolution of Jazz, blues, pop, and new genres. Our students — the emerging performers, composers, and arrangers who will take their places among the best practitioners of Jazz and its related genres — combine the expertise traditionally linked to conservatory training with the generative spirit and vigor of Jazz. With a large percentage of our students attending from outside the United States, New School Jazz is a truly multicultural universe. This environment extends past the walls of the school and into the streets and studios, clubs and concert halls of New York City – Jazz capital of the world.

The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music's primary goal is to provide students with a thorough technical, conceptual, and historical grasp of Jazz and contemporary music, employing a comprehensive curricular structure in which teaching takes place in three environments:

* In the classroom, where students are instructed in ensemble playing, instrumental music, music history, and related topics.

* In traditional, tutorial instrumental study, where students meet one-on-one with great Jazz and classical performers who live, work, and teach in New York City.

* In master classes apart from listed coursework, but integrated in the curriculum, which students attend regularly. These scheduled lectures/performances/workshops have featured artists including: Jon Faddis, Barry Harris, Lee Konitz, Wynton Marsalis, Jim Hall, and Jimmy McGriff among many, many others.

The curriculum's core of interdisciplinary studies includes courses in performance, music history, and liberal arts, providing more flexibility and focus as students advance toward graduation. Senior students are afforded invaluable opportunities to apprentice with one or more Jazz and/or contemporary music masters, gaining realistic views of the musical forms through their daily applications and through close observation of the artists’ work and philosophy.

The key to the success of New School Jazz lies in its use of experienced professionals to guide the intense involvement of students in the challenges of small group playing. Students in The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music work with the creators, not just the interpreters, of Jazz and its offshoots — music that continues to stretch toward and reach ever-new expressive and artistic horizons.


UNIVERSITY FACILITIES & STUDENT SERVICES

FACILITIES

The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music is located on the 5th and 6th floors of 55 West 13th Street, the university's primary building for technology services. The School's 20,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility was designed specifically to help young artists realize their goal of becoming effective music professionals. The facility offers administrative, classroom, practice, and rehearsal space, all constructed with the highest quality and attention to acoustics, soundproofing, and aesthetics. All classrooms are fully dedicated with Yamaha grand pianos, drum kits, amplifiers, vocal PA systems, and full component stereo systems. Specialized instrumental practice and teaching rooms are offered as well as a listening library and piano/MIDI labs. Performance and recording needs are served in an intimate and beautiful performance space seating 120, with full capacity for professional sound, lighting, and recording. A second recording studio is used for additional recording and engineering, with both studios connected to the university's server and Internet sites, with possibility for both posted archival recordings and live streaming performance. Additional university performance facilities within a two-block radius of the Greenwich Village campus include a 170-seat performance auditorium and an excellent and acoustically balanced concert hall with an audience capacity of 500.

TOURS
Prospective students and their parents are welcome to tour New School Jazz facilities. Tours are offered Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 3:00pm while school is in session. Please call at least 1 week in advance. You will be shown the facility and then have the opportunity to observe one of our improvisation ensembles. Students interested in scheduling a tour should call the Jazz office at 212-229-5896 ext. 4589 or schedule online here.

LIBRARIES
The New School's 188,000 volume Raymond Fogelman Library is complemented by the Adam and Sophie Gimbel Library at Parsons and the Harry Scherman Library at Mannes College The New School for Music. A library consortium links the libraries at The New School with those at New York University and Cooper Union, making library privileges available reciprocally to matriculated students. This constitutes a resource of well over three million volumes, and includes the Avery Fisher Center for Music and Media, which provides access to the most up-to-date electronic media, records, tapes, video, and a library of music materials. In addition, New School students have access to a wealth of public library resources throughout the five boroughs of New York City, including the Circulating Library of the Performing Arts in Manhattan.

ACADEMIC COMPUTING CENTERS
The Office of Academic Computing operates three general access laboratories as a service to students. Each facility offers a wide variety of software including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, electronic mail, music notation, and graphics and statistical packages. Students using the centers are supported by a full-time staff and assisted by lab aides. Training seminars and documentation are available on supported software and hardware.

One of the three centers maintained by the Office of Academic Computing is of special interest to Jazz students. The Knowledge Union is a state-of-the-art film, video, and multimedia production facility located on the eighth and ninth floors of 55 West 13th Street. Among its studios is a dedicated music lab where many of New School Jazz music technology courses are held.

UNIVERSITY HOUSING OFFICE
The University Housing Office is located at 65 Fifth Avenue, Room 269, New York, NY 10003; call (212) 229-5459 or e-mail housing@newschool.edu

RESIDENCE HALLS
The New School maintains several university residence halls as well as university-leased apartments, most located within 6 blocks of the Greenwich Village campus. The cost for room and board for the academic year is $8,000 - $12,000. Residence hall information is available from the Office of Admissions or from the Office of University Housing. Accepted students receive a housing request form in the acceptance packet. The housing request form and $220 housing deposit must be received by the Office of Admissions by May 1. The $300 tuition deposit to hold a place in the entering class must be received before or with the housing request and deposit. Please make checks payable to The New School. Shortly after receipt of the request and deposits, eligible students will receive a residence hall contract from the University Housing Office.

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
Many students live off-campus in apartments or dormitory-style quarters that are privately operated by organizations such as the YMCA and YMHA. The University Housing Office provides resources to guide in the search for off-campus housing for deposited students. The Office distributes a guide to off-campus housing which lists temporary and permanent-stay residence halls, reputable real estate agents, tips on hunting for apartments in New York City, and where to go for help when things go wrong with landlords, leases, heating, etc. It also maintains a listing of apartments, sublets, and shares in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Hoboken, and Jersey City. The cost of such living arrangements varies with the taste and resourcefulness of the student. The estimated average expense for off-campus room and board is approximately $7,700 for nine months.

OFFICE OF STUDENT LIFE
The Office of Student Life supports and enhances the intellectual and artistic goals of each student within the institution. In our urban setting, Student Life strives to build community by offering many opportunities beyond the classroom and a variety of
services intended to enhance both curricular and extra-curricular life at The New School. We promote communication and interaction between students, faculty, and the university community. We also encourage students to utilize the full variety of resources available in New School Jazz, the university, and New York City.

SERVICES PROVIDED
The Office of Student Life provides a variety of services and information to Jazz students. These include but are not limited to:

* Non-academic student advising and counseling
* Resources and information about New York City
* Liaison between Jazz students and the University
* International student advisement and form I-20 issuance
* Coordination of internship programs
* Medical and personal health insurance inquiries
* Recreational opportunities
* Student group advising
* Orientation programs
* General interest programming
* Opportunities for involvement and leadership

ORIENTATION
Orientation at the New School Jazz acclimates students to the academic and social life of the institution. During orientation students will have ample opportunity to interact with members of the New School Jazz community including faculty, staff, and students, allowing student's to discover the academic, cultural, and social richness of the New School Jazz, the university, and New York City. Orientation programs include cultural activities, international student orientation, safety workshops, library and computer facility workshops, and a variety of all-campus activities.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS & OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP
There are a variety of activities in which students can become involved at New School Jazz and the university. Interested students can serve on most New School University committees. Committees include University Student Life, Libraries, Diversity, Food Services, and the Student Advisory Council. Jazz students have opportunities for involvement on the Executive Committee, the Curriculum Committee, the Student Advisory Council, and in the Pan-African Cultural Organization. The New School also offers a variety of student organizations and clubs for varied interests. Students are always invited to form new student groups by contacting the Office of Student Life.

STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES CENTER
Each semester students pay a Health Services fee, which covers the cost of operating the Student Health Services Center (SHSC). The Center is located at 135 East 12th Street on the ground floor of the Loeb Residence Hall. The SHSC is staffed with medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, and clinical social workers. Services include physical examinations, treatment, counseling, short-term psychotherapy, and educational workshops. Students who need specialized or long-term treatment are referred to practitioners well known to the Center's staff. All students are required to have health insurance and are required to participate in an insurance plan sponsored by the university unless evidence is provided indicating coverage under another plan.

COST OF LIVING IN NEW YORK
Students sharing an apartment may pay as little as $750 a month each for rent. Usually a one-month security deposit is required, refundable at the end of the lease. It is advisable to have a "sublet" clause in a lease to permit subletting for the summer months or in the event of roommate changes. If a student cannot find a summer sublettor, he or she is responsible for paying summer rent in full. Utilities (gas and electric) should cost approximately $60 a month. Telephone services must be arranged with the telephone company. Basic costs for telephone services are approximately $20 a month; however, telephone installation charges are considerable.

CLOTHING
Clothing expenses will vary according to needs and activities. However, in general, and for students in particular, New York is a casual city. There is no dress requirement at the jazz school.

TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUTING
The subway and bus fare in New York City is currently $2.00. Weekly ($24.00) and monthly ($76.00) Metro Cards can also be purchased for unlimited bus and/or subway trips. A student planning to commute from home should calculate the costs from rate schedules. Fares are subject to increase. Applications for student commutation tickets, obtainable at some railroad offices, should be submitted to the Records Office for authorization.

MEALS
Meal plans are available through The New School's Office of Food Services. Generally, off-campus students doing their own cooking spend about $300 per month on food. The New School is surrounded by many good and reasonably priced restaurants.

FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their records. They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access.
Student should submit to the Registrar's Office, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The university official will make arrangements for access and notify the students of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the university official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

2. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.
Students may ask the university to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the university official responsible for the records, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.
If the university decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the university will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the university has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

4. The right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education concerning alleged failures by The New School to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, US Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-4605. New School University has established the following student information as public or directory information, which may be disclosed by the institution at its discretion.
Student name, major field of study, dates of attendance, full- or part-time enrollment status, degrees and awards received, the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended, addresses, phone numbers, photographs, e-mail addresses, and the date and place of birth. Students may request that The New School withhold the release of directory information by notifying the Registrar's Office in writing. This notification is required annually and must be renewed at the start of each fall term.

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