1. Music
  2. Student Resources

Student Resources

Student Handbook

The Music Program Student Handbook provides a guide to the various requirements, policies and procedures associated with our degree offerings. Contents include:

  • Requirements for student assessment - examinations, recitals, and dissertations
  • Rules of governance
  • Performance booking policies and procedures
  • Program leadership and contacts

View the handbook

Courses

View current and past course schedules and descriptions.

Performance Spaces and Facilities

There are two performing spaces at the Graduate Center.

The Baisley Powell Elebash Recital Hall is the main recital space. Located on the ground level of The Graduate Center, it is one of the finest performance spaces in New York City, with excellent acoustics and a seating capacity of 184.

The Harold M. Proshansky Auditorium (named after the late President of the Graduate Center) is a traditional 384-seat auditorium/lecture hall located on the basement level. It has a shallow stage and is used mainly for lectures and symposia, although it is sometimes available for concerts.

Both performance spaces have Steinway grand pianos. Recording and web streaming is available for all performances in these spaces.

Performance spaces must be booked through the Music Program Concert Office.

Learn more about booking policies and procedures

Each of our four practice studios is equipped with a Steinway grand (two of the rooms have two grand pianos), music chairs, and music stands.

Use of the rooms is limited to students enrolled in a music Ph.D. or D.M.A. program and faculty. Reservations are made online using a room booking site restricted to program students and faculty.

The Computer Music Lab, located in room 3494, is available to all music program students. The lab houses three computer work stations with a range of audio recording and mixing software; a variety of gear including headphones, microphones, amps, speakers, recorders and mixers; an 11×17 printer; and a binding machine for score creation.

The Lab may be reserved in advance, and when the room has not been reserved it is available first come, first serve.

Students have access to The Mina Rees Library at The Graduate Center as well as library facilities at each senior college, which maintain a wide selection of hard copy and electronic versions of books and journals accessible to CUNY faculty and students.

GC Librarians also curate comprehensive research libguides for a variety of topics associated with doctoral and master's programs

View the Music Research Guide »

Funding Opportunities for Current Students

The Baisley Powell Elebash Fund provides funding awards to doctoral students pursuing topics related to music that seriously engage the cultural, political, and/or social context of greater NYC area. (Note that work on musicians, genres, events, etc. that just happen to be located in NYC are not likely to be considered.)

The fund awards two types of grants: Dissertation Grants, and Research Grants.

How to apply for an Elebash Grant »

The Graduate Center Offers a variety of financial awards, scholarships, grants, and employment opportunities to supplement or extend current students' five-year fellowship awards and provide additional research and dissertation support.

Learn more about funding opportunities for current students »

Sheet music

Barry S. Brook Center for Music Research and Documentation

The Brook Center’s objectives are to promote and provide a setting for wide-ranging research and documentation activities in music; to offer professional training to students, music researchers, editors, iconographers, and archivists; to serve as a resource center for CUNY, for New York City, and for the nation; and to disseminate the results of its activities to the scholarly community and to the world at large through publications, conferences, and exhibitions. Faculty members at the Graduate Center are often involved in the Brook Center’s activities, and there are employment opportunities for graduate students in the program. The Brook Center also houses a number of valuable archives including papers and sound recordings of Barry S. Brook, Gustave Reese, and Emanuel Winternitz.

Learn more about the Brook Center

Baisley Powell Elebash Fund

The Baisley Powell Elebash Fund provides funding awards to doctoral students pursuing topics related to music that seriously engage the cultural, political, and/or social context of greater NYC area. (Note that work on musicians, genres, events, etc. that just happen to be located in NYC are not likely to be considered.)

The Fund awards two types of grants:

  • Dissertation Grants - Sizeable grants for students at the dissertation stage (i.e., with an approved proposal). These consist of a lump sum with no restrictions (but please see below). Students may reapply for grants, though preference will be given to new applicants.
  • Research Grants - Smaller grants for travel, research, performances, equipment, etc. Grants are usually $5000 or less. These are available for students at any stage of their doctoral study who wish to pursue a NYC topic. Students may reapply for grants, but preference will be given to new applicants.

Application materials must be submitted in PDF format via email to Jeffrey Taylor (jtaylor@brooklyn.cuny.edu), with the type of grant you are applying for (see more below) and your last name in the subject line.

The deadline for all application materials is midnight (11:59pm) November 1. Applications not time-stamped midnight or earlier, or which do not include required materials, will not be considered. Please direct further inquiries to Jeffrey Taylor at jtaylor@brooklyn.cuny.edu.

Applications for Elebash Dissertation Grants must include the following:

  • your approved dissertation proposal (including the name of your advisor)
  • a one-page explanation of why your dissertation topic is appropriate for this grant
  • a letter of support from your advisor, also discussing why your topic is appropriate for this grant (copy of email is acceptable)
  • If you received an Elebash Dissertation Grant in the past, include an additional page explaining how the first grant was used to support your dissertation work (budget summary not required) and how the additional amount will be used.

When submitting your application materials, please include "Elebash Dissertation Application" and your last name in the email subject line.

Applications for Elebash Research Grants must include the following:

  • A one page explanation of why your project is appropriate for this grant, and how you intend to use the funds if awarded
  • A brief budget for your project
  • If you received an Elebash Research Grant in the past, include an additional page explaining how the first grant was used to support your dissertation work, and how the additional amount will be used (budget summary not required). You may apply for a grant for a different topic, but please follow the guidelines outlined above.

When submitting your application materials, please include "Elebash Research Application" and your last name in the email subject line.

  • Except in unusual circumstances, all performances sponsored by the Elebash Fund should take place in Elebash Recital Hall at The Graduate Center.
  • According to CUNY policy, any grant amount not used for tuition or tuition-related expenses is subject to tax.
  • Students with certain aid packages may have a limit on how much funding they may receive through grants, or may be ineligible for additional funding. The Committee will attempt to ascertain a student’s eligibility before making an award, but questions on this matter should be directed to the Financial Aid Office.

General Student Resources

Information and Downloads

These resources may be useful in planning and conducting your studies at the Graduate Center.

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