Musicianship is the non-performance course required of all Music Department Students. There are four levels for this course that explores Music Theory, Piano Skills, Ear Training, Composition, and Music History. This curriculum is unique to the Academy experience and includes a universal exploration of non-Western, popular, folk, and Classical music genres. In Musicianship, we ask and seek to answer these questions: Why does music exist? Why is it a necessary part of the human experience? Where do we fit in the evolution of music, and how can we use our music to contribute to society? At The Academy, we know music is a powerful force; Musicianship is a key component of the curriculum as we seek to unlock and master this force.  

Year 1 of Musicianship is the freshman year course. This course explores notation from a historical perspective. Students study the historical evolution of note heads, solfege, staffs, and time signatures while uncovering the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Piano skills and ear training reinforce these topics, and composition projects give students hands-on experience.

Year 2 of Musicianship is the sophomore year course. This course focuses on jazz. Starting with the traditional music of West Africa and Latin America, students learn the roots of jazz. Jazz harmony and improvisation are emphasized allowing students a firm groundwork for participation in jazz combos and Jazz Vocal Workshop. Piano skills and ear training reinforce these topics, and composition projects give students hands-on experience.

Year 3 of Musicianship is the combined junior and senior year course. This course explores traditional music from around the globe, seeing how these indigenous styles link to western art and jazz genres.  Students will explore the traditional music of Latin America, India, and Indonesia as well as Salsa, Contemporary Classical Music, Serialism, and Impressionism. Piano skills and ear training reinforce these topics, and composition projects give students hands-on experience. Year 4 of Musicianship is the combined Junior and Senior year course. This course explores Music of Revolutions. Students will see how the French Revolution impacted the operas of Mozart, how modern Hip-Hop and Musical Theater was influenced by the American Revolution, how the Russian Revolutions censored the works of Soviet composers, and how music was used as a powerful tool during the Civil Rights Movement. Piano skills and ear training reinforce these topics, and composition projects give students hands-on experience.