Upon successful completion of the first year of study in Jerusalem, students return to the School of Sacred Music in New York for the ensuing four years of study.

Admissions

Prerequisites

1) Musical Competence

Candidates must possess a trained singing voice, an undergraduate degree (preferably with a major in music), and competence in sight reading, ear training, keyboard harmony, music theory, and some competence in piano. Folk guitar is desirable but not essential.

2) Hebrew Competence

Matriculation into the first year program in Israel is contingent upon passing a Hebrew Language Comprehension Examination, demonstrating the equivalent of at least one year of college-level Hebrew.

3) Personal Characteristics

As potential members of the clergy, candidates for admission are expected to be inspired by the prospect of dedicating their lives to service: teaching adults and children; developing interpersonal skills; and creating and presenting cultural programs appropriate to Jewish life. As singers, they should enjoy performance and the challenge of engaging others in the act of worship. They must be dedicated to a life of learning and discovery, personal spiritual growth, the pursuit of excellence, and commitment to Judaism and the values implicit in a Jewish way of life.

Procedure

Prospective candidates should contact the Director of the SSM for a preliminary interview which will include an informal vocal audition and evaluation of a candidate's musical skills. Applicants are encouraged to spend a full day attending classes, meeting with students and professors, exploring the library, and discovering the academic, artistic, and interpersonal ambience of the SSM, after which formal application for admission may be requested. Application requires the submission of (1) high school transcripts (2) undergraduate transcripts (3) references (4) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (5) medical forms completed by you and your physician and (6) an autobiographical statement. Application and complete dossier must be received no later than one month prior to your meeting with the Admissions Committee. A psychological evaluation, as well as an audition and formal interview by a committee composed of the Deans, the Director, a graduate of the school, and representatives of the faculty and student body completes the application process.

First-Year Cantorial Program

Jerusalem

The Year-in-Israel Program is mandatory for all first-year cantorial students. Matriculation into the Year-in-Israel Program is conditioned upon passing a Hebrew language competency examination, demonstrating the equivalent of at least one year of college-level Hebrew.

Priorities

1. An understanding of the structure of the Hebrew language which will serve our students in mediating between the sources of Judaism and the North American Jewish community.

2. An encounter with Israel which leaves the students informed, enthused, and energized about the challenges of statehood and the implications of peoplehood.

3. The acquisition of basic textual skills which allows the successful continuation of studies in the U.S.

4. An exploration of the students' religious and spiritual identities, with special emphasis on Reform Judaism.

5. Fluency in Modern Hebrew.

6. The provision of professional skills, and the encouragement of a self-consciousness as future Jewish professionals.

Orientation

The Year-in-Israel Program includes a number of orientation sessions and seminars at the beginning of the academic year and thereafter throughout the course of study. Among the topics examined are: (a) a basic orientation to Jerusalem past and present, (b) an introduction to Modern Israel, (c) a discussion of the role of Reform Judaism, and (d) an examination of the roles of Jewish professionals within the community.

Program of Studies

Students are expected to study a minimum of 25 credit hours of classroom study, divided between core courses (14 credits), professional courses (9 credits), and a weekly First Year Seminar (2 credits).

I. Core Courses
Modern Hebrew 8 credits
Classical Grammar 2 credits
Bible I (Introduction) 2 credits
Liturgy 2 credits

II. Professional Courses
Cantillation of the Torah, Haftorah, and Esther 1 credit
Cantorial Workshops 1 credit
Traditional Chants of the Daily Services 1 credit
History of Jewish Music 1 credit
Israeli Art Music 1 credit
Music Theory and Sight-Singing 2 credits
Coaching 2 credits
Piano (Private Instruction)

III. First Year Seminar: "Concepts in Jewish Living"

For one day a week, Israel is the classroom, as students explore aspects of Judaism and the Jewish State. Some days studies take place on campus, and many others there are site visits of various kinds. Learning techniques include text study sessions, film, independent research, and more. Two of the extended field study trips are part of the wider course. Requirements include two research papers and active participation. Sessions tend to run from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. throughout the year. Subjects include Religion and State, Life Cycle, and Zionism.

IV. Other Requirements
*Cantorial forum
*Monday morning minyan
*Participation in High Holy Day Service Choir
*Community service project
*Services at the Murstein Synagogue on Saturday mornings at least once a month
*Field study trips
*Synagogue tours
*Student public concerts
*Voice lessons
*Leading Shabbat services in the Murstein Synagogue at least 3 times during the year

V. Optional

Students are also encouraged to participate in a range of additional activities and learning opportunities including:

*Daily Mincha prayer services
*Thursday morning minyan
*Visits to Progressive congregations throughout the country

Academic Advisors

Certain members of the faculty serve as academic advisors. Before the beginning of each semester, their role is to assist students in their choice of electives. During the course of the year, they will be available by appointment to give individual support and guidance. Under certain circumstances, students may be directed by other members of the faculty to consult these advisors.

Continuation of Cantorial Program in New York

Second Year

FALL		SPRING
	Credit		Credit
Shabbat Traditional	2.0	Shabbat Traditional	2.0
Shabbat Reform	2.0	High Holy Reform	1.5
Jewish Text A: Torah Haphtorah	3.0	Jewish Text B: Midrash	3.0
Foundations of Education	1.5	Foundations of Education	1.5
Music Education	1.5	Jewish Text A: Haphtorah Megillot	1.5
Practica (only attendance required)	1.5	Guitar	0.5
Chorus	1.5	Practica (presentation required)	1.5
		Chorus	1.5
		Judaic Elective	1.5
		**Secular Arts Song Elective	1.5

Third Year

Fourth Year

Fifth Year

**Please note that on of the two indicated electives is required.
NOTE: MSM candidates are required to complete 4.5 elective credits toward the degree (3.0 credits of which must be in music courses.)

Tuition and Fees
Go to Tuition and Fees.

Student Life and Field Work

Field Work

In cooperation with area synagogues, students who have successfully completed their first year are eligible for placement in positions as student cantors. All employment arrangements between students and congregations are subject to regulations of the Placement Office of the SSM, which must be consulted by students considering positions.

Student Life

HUC-JIR) is a community of faculty, students, and administrators who share Judaism's vision of a better world and wish to work together to learn how to achieve it. We are committed to combining freedom of thought and openness of expression with intellectual rigor, artistic excellence, mutuality of trust, and collegial commitment to one another.

Students regularly supplement their formal classroom study with practical experience gained through employment opportunities with synagogues in the New York area as teachers, youth group leaders, cantorial assistants, or chaplaincy interns.

Course Offerings

Please consult the course bulletins distributed prior to each semester for a list of available courses during the term, since not all courses listed below are offered each year.

PRESCRIBED COURSES

Judaic Studies:

JS.C22F/S* - Torah, Haftorah, and Megillot
A historical survey of the major events and trends of Israelite history from the early second millennium to the conquest of Canaan.

JS.C25F/S - Hebrew/Parashat Hashavua
Emphasis on speaking Hebrew, while studying the weekly Torah portion and its commentaries.

JS.C30 - High Holy Day Liturgy
An introduction to the Machzor, with particular attention to the Gates of Repentance, to understand the ways in which it is different from an orthodox Machzor and why.

JS.C31F/S - Survey of Rabbinic Texts
An introduction to the methodology, texts, world-view, and imagination of the rabbis, with a textual focus on Midrash, Mishnah, and Talmud.

JS.C32 - Medieval Jewish History
A survey of Jewish life in Christian and Muslim domains. Political, social, religious, cultural, and economic trends will be discussed.

JS.C43 - Jewish History: Responses to Modernity
Students will explore various responses of Jews to modernity, including pietism, acculturation, and nationalism. Several sessions will be devoted to the history of Reform Judaism.

JS.C310 (Rabb.J10) - Introduction to Liturgy
A methodological overview for the study of liturgy as a textual discipline, as well as an introduction to a non-textual perspective.

Ph/Th J20 - Introduction to Modern Jewish Thought
After a brief look at some contemporary movement ideologies, the course concentrates on the six major ways modern thinkers understand Judaism and the significant problems and themes which animate contemporary discussion.

Jewish Music:

JM. C316 - History of the Cantorate
A survey of the role and function of the hazzan from previous centuries to the present in both Ashkenazic and Sephardic traditions.

JM.C11 - Music Education
A survey of the many ways that music is used in congregational life beyond the pulpit, including repertoire and teaching techniques for religious school grades K through 7.

JM.C315 - Harmonization of Jewish Modes
An introduction to the art of arranging for keyboard the traditional works of Alter, Katchko, etc. Harmonic, structural, and stylistic analysis of various well-known works from the accompanied synagogue repertoire will be studied.

JM.C30 - Conducting
The course will cover basic conducting patterns and rehearsal techniques needed in working with choirs within the congregation.

JM.C325 - Jewish Music Research
The familiarization of the necessary tools for preparing the Master's Project, including basic bibliographical resources such as encyclopedias, anthologies, indices, recordings, and major collections of Jewish music.

Workshops:

Reform: Workshops with master cantors and musicians devoted to the traditions of Reform Judaism.

RW.F/S20 - Shabbat
RW.F/S21 - High Holidays
RW.F30 - Festivals
RW. S31 - Life Cycles and Anthems
RW.F40 - Programming
RW.F/S41 - Art Song

Traditional: Workshops with master cantors and musicians devoted to the study and practice of traditional synagogue music.

TW.F/S20 - Shabbat
TW.F21 - Daily and Life Cycle
TW.F/S30 - Rosh Hashanah
TW.F/S40 - Selichot and Yom Kippur
TW.F/S41 - Shalosh Regalim (Festivals)

Professional Development:

PD.J10F/S - Foundations of Jewish Education
A combination of educational theory and practice that offers an introduction to planning and presentational teaching skills.

PD.C40 - Human Relations
This course provides opportunities to learn basic counseling skills and techniques from students' own experience. This experiential learning will be supplemented by appropriate counseling theory in the context of pastoral ministry.

PD.C75 - Choral Ensemble

PD.C80 - SSM Thesis Conference

PD.C90 - Senior Seminar
The dynamics of the Cantor's role.

Synagogue Practicum

Senior Practica I & II
An intensive workshop program that offers the opportunity to learn a number of subjects in Professional Development, centering on contemporary practical issues.

ELECTIVE COURSES

Music:

JM.426 - Sephardic Liturgical Music
An exploration of the rich traditions of Sephardic liturgical music, including the music of Jews of Syrian, Turkish, Moroccan, and Spanish descent.

JM.427 - Exploration of Jewish Music in Textual Sources
This course will focus on the discussion of music in Biblical, Mishnaic, and Rabbinic texts, showing the complex role music has played historically for purposes of inspiration, ritual, and life-cycle events and its nature in Jewish thought.
Prerequisite: Rabbinic Texts JS.C31 fall and spring.

JM.428 - Analysis of Jewish Music
This course will present a variety of musical styles for analysis in order to explore various approaches. The course will begin with solo cantorial repertoire and then work historically from 1850 to the present. Emphasis will be placed on form and style. The student will have the opportunity to present an analysis of a composition of their own choosing (with instructor's approval).
Prerequisite: History of the Cantorate and Harmonization of Modes

JM.461 - Music in American Jewish Life
An introduction to the rich musical life of Jews in America through the various forms and functions of musical expression. Consideration will be given to the role of music in traditional ritual settings and the extension of traditional notions of music while exploring the music used for celebrations, home listening pleasure, and "Jewish" radio programs.

JM.523 - Cantorial Classics
An overview of the best known solo and choral works of the 19^th century synagogue composers.

JM.601 - Advanced Modes
An exploration of the art of arranging nusach and Jewish folk material.

*F/S - Fall/Spring