Jewish Music

Master of Sacred Music

The program in Sacred Music is designed to offer qualified rabbinical students the opportunity for training in Jewish music and liturgy.

In order for students to receive the Rabbinical School MA in Jewish Sacred Music, they must complete 30 credits, 21 non-duplicative credits in the area of Jewish Music (HAZ, MUS, and JMU courses) and 9 credits in related fields such as Liturgy, Bible, etc. Students must also fulfill all the Iyun Judaica Distributional Requirements for the Rabbinical School program (45 credits).

The 21 non-duplicative credits must include:

  • HAZ 4280 Nusah Theory (3 credits)
  • HAZ 4611 & HAZ 4612 Shabbat Nusah (8 credits) 
  • HAZ 4702 & HAZ 4703 High Holiday Nusah (6 credits)
  • MUS 4110 & MUS 4111 Chorus (4 credits)
  • JMU 4010 & JMU 4011 Discovering the Roots of Jewish Music (6 credits)
  • One additional course to be decided on in consultation with the director of H. L. Miller Cantorial School.

The 9 duplicative credits will be decided upon jointly by the dean of the Division of Religious Leadership and the director of H. L. Miller Cantorial School, and must include at least one LTG course.

Additional Requirements

  • Written Master’s Thesis or Project
  • Weekly attendance for two semesters at H. L. Miller Cantorial School Minyan and Mifgash (Wednesdays, 7:45-10 a.m.)

Prerequisites

  • One year of college level music theory, or the equivalent.