www.newschool.

edu/mannes
MANNES
Welcome to Mannes

Imagine preparing for your musical career in a

community so personal that all of your teachers and
fellow students know who you are.

Picture yourself studying in a renowned conservatory

in the heart of New York City’s Upper West Side
just minutes from some of the world’s great cultural
centers—taking lessons and being coached by
legendary artists, performing with The Mannes
Orchestra in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, singing
in opera productions regularly reviewed in the New
York Times, and performing solo and chamber works in
elegant New York venues.

Or, to put it another way, imagine yourself at Mannes.

Joel Lester, Dean

Mannes College The New School for Music

www.newschool.edu/mannes
History of
Mannes College
The New School
for Music

A jewel among American conservatories, Mannes has

been a presence in New York City since 1916, when it
opened as The David Mannes Music School on East
70th Street. The school flourished from its founding,
attracting an eminent faculty. In the 1930s and 1940s,
conductor George Szell, composers Georges Enesco
and Bohuslav Martinu, and students of esteemed
music theorist Heinrich Schenker began teaching at
Mannes. Leopold Mannes, son of the founders, later
served as the school’s president.

Under the direction of the succeeding presidents,

Risë Stevens, Sidney Gelber, and John Goldmark,
Mannes continued to evolve and grow, establishing
an even more prominent reputation in New York,
around the country, and throughout the world. The
school began offering degrees in 1953, the year
its name was changed to The Mannes College of
Music. In the 1950s, Felix Salzer developed Mannes’
signature curriculum, the Techniques of Music program.
Throughout the 1960s, the school thrived, and in
1969, Richard Goode, Murray Perahia, and Frederica
von Stade all graduated in the same class. By 1984,
Mannes had outgrown its space on East 70th Street
and moved to a larger home on West 85th Street.

In 1989, Mannes joined The New School, becoming

part of an urban university with offerings in the liberal
arts, design, and the performing arts. Today, Mannes
continues to uphold its tradition of excellence, offering
students unparalleled opportunities to play, perform,
and learn with other talented musicians.
 “It’s pretty intense
and competitive—but
in a positive way.
We all want each
other to do our best all
the time.”
Artistry
and Community
For more than 90 years, Mannes has been an
integral part of the music scene in New York City.
A small institution—the student body currently
comprises 300 musicians from 34 states and 28
countries—Mannes fosters an intimate community in
which students cultivate close relationships with our
stellar faculty, administrators, and one another. The
friendly, supportive atmosphere and comprehensive,
progressive curriculum at Mannes enable students to
thrive as musicians and scholars.
Mannes offers students a prime location in New York
City, within walking distance of Carnegie Hall and
Lincoln Center. The school’s main building houses
class and practice rooms, a listening library, an audio
studio, and a state-of-the-art computer lab; the opera
Lauren Rasor, Bassoon
I began playing with The Mannes Orchestra my
rehearsal studio is located in the nearby John Goldmark freshman year. It’s a mix of ages, so older students
Practice Center. Mannes also boasts two concert halls teach younger ones. I had a Professional Studies
that each year host hundreds of performances by Diploma student mentor, which was really helpful.
students, faculty, and artists-in-residence. I also live with one of the bassoonists I work with,
which is really awesome. It’s bassoon all the time at
When they are not practicing or attending classes, Mannes! Because the school’s so small, we perform
students have plenty of options for relaxation and together, we live together, we go out on weekends
recreation in Mannes’ residential Upper West Side together. It’s pretty intense and competitive—but in a
neighborhood. They can dine on any sort of food positive way. We all want each other to do our best
imaginable, sip coffee in an outdoor café, or attend a all the time.
movie or play in one of the nearby theaters. Students
can stroll through Central Park or along the Hudson
in Riverside Park. They can also enjoy the many exhibits
at the American Museum of Natural History and
see performances at Symphony Space, Lincoln Center,
and Carnegie Hall, all of which are within minutes
of Mannes.
 Challenge
and Inspiration

Inspired musicianship, exciting performance

opportunities, and stimulating liberal arts coursework
define the education offered at Mannes College The
New School for Music. Mannes’ signature pedagogical
approach, the Techniques of Music program, was
created by Felix Salzer, a student of esteemed
Viennese theorist Heinrich Schenker. It includes
rigorous instruction in ear-training, sight-singing,
dictation, keyboard harmony, score reading, theory,
and musical analysis. Young artists receive personal
attention and guidance from experienced musicians
when they study at Mannes.

Mannes’ well-rounded curriculum also includes

undergraduate liberal arts courses in areas pertinent
to classical music, including music history, English
composition, art history, literature, foreign languages,
and humanities. Students may also choose to take
elective courses in other divisions of The New School.

The Mannes experience is one filled with playing,

“I worked so hard— performing, and learning in a nurturing community of

superb teachers and enthusiastic students.

it was so exciting.
The material was always new,
and I was able
to meet students from Francesco Lecce-Chong, Orchestral Conducting/Piano

different years.” Double Major, BM (2009)

The small classes make a huge difference; you’re able
to talk to faculty one-on-one. I had an orchestration
class and I was the only one in it. It was really
cool because it was so specific to my needs. I
also appreciated the rigorous theory testing when I
auditioned. I was actually placed in classes that were a
little bit above what I was ready for—which was great. I
worked so hard—it was so exciting. The material was
always new, and I was able to meet students from
different years.
 Collaboration
and Mentorship “To be
able to learn from
a performer
Collaboration and mentorship are key to the learning like her ...
process at Mannes. With a student-to-faculty ratio
of 2:1, Mannes provides students with a variety of that’s an
opportunity
unique learning experiences to support their growth
into professional musicians. Students receive
encouragement and input from our world-renowned
faculty, our administrators, and fellow students. not many young
Close collaboration with the Mannes faculty throughout singers get.”
the disciplines prepares students to attain the highest
levels of musicianship. Mannes students also benefit
from mentoring provided by master artists-in-residence,
including Regina Resnik, Renata Scotto, and the
Orion String Quartet. Master class presenters, such
as pianists Richard Goode and Jean Yves Thibaudet,
string virtuosos Pamela Frank and Misha Amory,
theorist Carl Schachter, and many other fine musicians
have served as mentors to Mannes students.

The New School The New School for Management and Urban Policy,
Parsons The New School for Design, Eugene Lang
College The New School for Liberal Arts, The New
School for Drama, and The New School for Jazz and
Contemporary Music.

Since its founding in 1919, The New School has been Belonging to the New School community enriches the
committed to supporting lifelong learning, examining college experience for Mannes students by opening
society, and promoting artistic and academic freedom. doors to The New School for General Studies, where
It was here that the first university-level courses they can choose from a wide array of elective courses.
on race and black culture, urban housing, film history, It provides instant access to the 3 million books and
Maya Lahyani, Mezzo-Soprano, BM (2007); MM (2009)
and women’s studies were taught. The New School 25,000 journals in the university’s Fogelman Library,
Erika
ThisKomori, Violin,
is my third BMin( The
year 2009)
Mannes Opera. We’re
is an intellectually rich and dynamic university NYU's Bobst Library collection, the resources of the
I found out about
rehearsing Mannes
Dialogue while
of the I was studying
Carmelites violin and
by Poulenc, in

“There are
with undergraduate, graduate, and professional Research Library Association of South Manhattan, and
Japan, and I decided to apply. I wasn’t nervous at
I’m singing Mother Marie. The Mannes Opera really all—
degree programs. Mannes’ Harry Scherman Music Library. Undergraduate
just so excited
gives you an about
idea ofstudying
the realhere. One
world, of my
in its dreams
professionalism
so many came true! If you’re coming to The New School
and the people we get to work with. Each year,
another
from
Regina Mannes College The New School for Music is the only
and graduate students at Mannes are also entitled to
live in the university’s residence halls.
Resnikcountry,
comes there’s really nothing
in and coaches to worry
the opera withabout.
us. To be music conservatory in Manhattan that is a division of
opportunities It’sable
that.
worth
to learn from a performer like her—with overto60
There
it to try—and New York
are so many opportunities
is the right
to listennot
place
to many
and
do a university. As an integral part of The New School, Like students in The New School’s other divisions,
Mannes offers its students access to the extensive Mannes students enjoy the benefits of attending
to listen and play
years of experience—that’s an opportunity
play music
young here—so
singers get. many concertsand
Her direction withher
famous
ideas and
about resources, programs, activities, and courses available a vibrant, progressive university that embraces
up-and-coming artists. Seeingcan
them
lift always gives to
mea the in the other divisions: The New School for General
music here.” how to create a character your artistry whole innovation while maintaining its academic integrity
energy to perform better.
new level, and you can’t replace that with any other Studies, The New School for Social Research, Milano and commitment to its original mission.
kind of training.
 “I’ve been able Performance
to make friends Opportunities
and connections
that I’m sure
I’ll have for Every year, The Mannes Orchestra plays seven concerts
at venues such as Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.
the long term.” Otto-Werner Mueller, Paul Nadler, Edwin Outwater, Yves
Abel, and JoAnn Falletta have recently been guest
conductors. The annual Concerto Competition is another
exciting opportunity for students. The winner is featured
as a soloist with The Mannes Orchestra in a concert at
Lincoln Center.

In the fall, students stage professional-quality opera

scenes. The repertoire is chosen to meet the needs
and interests of the students. Each spring, students
present a complete, fully staged opera. According to the
New York Times, “In the ten years that Joseph Colaneri
has been artistic director of the Mannes Opera at
Mannes College The New School for Music, the program
has earned a stellar reputation for the quality of its
presentations and the excellence of its student singers.”

Other student performance groups include the Mannes

Baroque Chamber Players, NewMusicMannes, the
Composer-in-Residence Chamber Ensemble, the Guitar
Ensemble, and the Percussion Ensemble. The Mannes
Downtown and Mannes UpperWest series showcase
student talent in more than 20 concerts each year.

The Mannes piano department presents a yearlong

festival built around a unifying theme. The festival
features concerts and master classes presented by
students, faculty, and guests. Performances take place
at Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, elegant clubs, foreign
consulates, and the Mannes Concert Hall.

Mike Engstrom, Trombone, MM (2007)

I’ve done a lot of performing in New York since coming to
Mannes. I’ve been able to make friends and connections
that I’m sure I’ll have for the long term. When I first
arrived in New York, I discovered that the level of playing
at Mannes and in the city was much higher than anything
I’d experienced before. After three years, I feel like I
can now play at that level. I’m prepared to go out and
audition and perform.
Performance Opportunities at Mannes
 Students at Mannes College The New School
for Music have unparalleled opportunities to
hone their performance skills in some of the
most exciting venues in New York City:

• Carnegie Hall
• Avery Fisher Hall
• Alice Tully Hall
• The Morgan Library
“Where are all the healthy young voices? • Steinway Hall
• Merkin Concert Hall
Here’s the answer: at Mannes College.”
—New York Times
 Collaboration
and Mentorship “To be
able to learn from
a performer
Collaboration and mentorship are key to the learning like her ...
process at Mannes. With a student-to-faculty ratio
of 2:1, Mannes provides students with a variety of that’s an
unique learning experiences to support their growth
into professional musicians. Students receive opportunity
encouragement and input from our world-renowned
faculty, our administrators, and fellow students. not many young
Close collaboration with the Mannes faculty throughout singers get.”
the disciplines prepares students to attain the highest
levels of musicianship. Mannes students also benefit
from mentoring provided by master artists-in-residence,
including Regina Resnik, Renata Scotto, and the
Orion String Quartet. Master class presenters, such
as pianists Richard Goode and Jean Yves Thibaudet,
string virtuosos Pamela Frank and Misha Amory,
theorist Carl Schachter, and many other fine musicians
have served as mentors to Mannes students.

The New School The New School for Management and Urban Policy,
Parsons The New School for Design, Eugene Lang
College The New School for Liberal Arts, The New
School for Drama, and The New School for Jazz and
Contemporary Music.

Since its founding in 1919, The New School has been Belonging to the New School community enriches the
committed to supporting lifelong learning, examining college experience for Mannes students by opening
society, and promoting artistic and academic freedom. doors to The New School for General Studies, where
It was here that the first university-level courses they can choose from a wide array of elective courses.
on race and black culture, urban housing, film history, It provides instant access to the 3 million books and
Maya Lahyani, Mezzo-Soprano, BM (2007); MM (2009)
and women’s studies were taught. The New School 25,000 journals in the university’s Fogelman Library,
Erika
This Komori, Violin,
is my third yearBM ( 2009)
in The Mannes Opera. We’re
is an intellectually rich and dynamic university NYU's Bobst Library collection, the resources of the
I found out about
rehearsing Mannes
Dialogue of thewhile I was studying
Carmelites violin
by Poulenc, andin
with undergraduate, graduate, and professional Research Library Association of South Manhattan, and
“There are Japan,
just
and I Mother
I’m singing
so you
gives
decidedMarie.
excited about
an idea
to apply.
TheI Mannes
of studying
wasn’t nervous
here. in
the real world, One
itsof
at all—
Opera really
my dreams
professionalism
degree programs. Mannes’ Harry Scherman Music Library. Undergraduate

so many
and graduate students at Mannes are also entitled to
came true!
and the If you’re
people coming
we get to The
to work New
with. EachSchool
year, from
Regina Mannes College The New School for Music is the only
live in the university’s residence halls.
another
Resnik country,
comes inthere’s really nothing
and coaches the operato worry about.
with us. To be music conservatory in Manhattan that is a division of

opportunities It’s
that.
worth
able
There
years
it to from
to learn try—and New York
a performer
of experience—that’s
is her—with
like
are so many opportunities
the right place
to listen
an opportunity
to do
over 60
not to
manyand
a university. As an integral part of The New School,
Mannes offers its students access to the extensive
Like students in The New School’s other divisions,
Mannes students enjoy the benefits of attending
to listen and play play music
young here—so
singers many
get. Her concerts
direction andwith
her famous
ideas aboutand resources, programs, activities, and courses available
in the other divisions: The New School for General
a vibrant, progressive university that embraces
up-and-coming
how to create artists. Seeing
a character canthem always
lift your gives
artistry to me the
a whole innovation while maintaining its academic integrity
music here.” energy to perform
new level, and youbetter.
can’t replace that with any other Studies, The New School for Social Research, Milano and commitment to its original mission.
kind of training.
New York City

A Mannes education extends far beyond the walls of

the university. Students can hear some of the world’s
greatest artists performing in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln
Center, the 92nd Street Y, and Merkin Hall—almost
every night of the week. New York is a gigantic
classroom within which Mannes master teachers offer
lessons and courses. The international community of
musicians at Mannes provides invaluable inspiration
and guidance to help students perfect their art, define
their goals, and advance their careers.

Mannes prepares talented young artists to become

both professional musicians and consummate
performers. Students at Mannes College The New
School for Music enjoy the personal attention
afforded by a small school and all the benefits of “Here, I am also
studying in New York—one of the most culturally
influential cities in the world. part of a wonderful
Mannes students are encouraged to participate in the community.
school’s Community Services program, which hires
students for a wide range of professional performances I’ve studied with some
in and around New York City. These performances are
one means of preparing young artists for successful,
of the best musicians
rewarding careers in music, a goal that is at the center
of a Mannes education.
in the world.”

Matei Varga, Piano, MM (2006); PSD (2008)

I came to Mannes in 2004 after finishing my studies in
Romania. I had always dreamed of studying and living
in New York. It’s an extraordinary city, and Mannes
encourages you to explore it. Here, I am also part of a
wonderful community. I’ve studied with some of the best
musicians in the world and have had many opportunities
to perform and to connect with key people in my field.
In fact, I’ll be making my Carnegie Hall debut in October.
My career is unfolding in the way that I have always
wished, thanks in large part to the training I received
at Mannes.
 Renowned Faculty
The Bond Between Teacher and Student
Our 2:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures that students will enjoy a great deal of
personal attention as they grow into professional musicians. Students receive
guidance and encouragement from our superb faculty and administrators as well
as their fellow students.

“The small student-faculty ratio allows the extraordinary

artist faculty to interact in a meaningful way with
the extraordinary student.” — David Hayes, Director
of Orchestral and Conducting Studies

Glen Velez Carl Schachter Vladimir Feltsman Regina Resnik Timothy Eddy Todd Phillips
Percussion faculty Techniques of Music faculty Piano faculty Master artist-in-residence, opera Violoncello faculty Violin faculty

Joseph Colaneri Michael Newman Ruth Falcon Yefim Bronfman Deborah Voigt Pavlina Dokovska
Director of the Opera Program Guitar faculty Voice faculty Master artist-in-residence, piano Master artist-in-residence, voice Piano faculty

The performance faculty includes active professionals
from all areas of the music world—concert artists,
chamber musicians, successful freelancers, established
composers, and members of such leading organiza-
tions as the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera,
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, New York City Opera,
Philadelphia Orchestra, and Chamber Music Society of
Lincoln Center.
The faculties of the Techniques of Music and
humanities are made up of highly regarded scholars,
musicologists, and educators. Most of the admin-
istration and staff at Mannes are also professional
musicians who understand the challenges facing the
students they advise and guide.
 Alumni of Mannes
Mannes graduates have gone on to successful careers as concert artists; members of
“Mannes exceeded my expectations. My goal was simple:
symphonies, Broadway orchestras, and opera companies; faculty at colleges and music
I wanted to play trombone in an orchestra. The flexibility
schools; private teachers; and recording artists. Others are active in arts administration,
and customization that its small size allowed, together with
arts management, and television and radio broadcasting.
the outstanding artist faculty and orchestral and opera
conductors, were exactly what I needed to win an orchestra
audition.” —Stephen Dunkel

Frederica von Stade Richard Goode Murray Perahia JoAnn Falletta Wen Qian Yonghoon Lee Stephen Dunkel Dan Zhu
BS (1969) BS (1969) BS (1969) BM (1976); MM (1977) (BM, 1992; MM, 1993; PSD (2004); MM (2006) MM (1998); PSD (2000) MM (2005)
Mezzo-soprano Concert pianist Concert pianist Music director, Buffalo PSD, 1995) Oper Frankfurt Bass trombone, Laureate, Queen Elisabeth
Philharmonic and Virginia Metropolitan Opera Kennedy Center Opera Competition 2005
Symphony Orchestra House Orchestra

“What I learned at Mannes, which feels like a great gift

to this day, is a deep love of and respect for music and
always a gratitude for the privilege of music making.”
—Frederica von Stade

“The education I received at Mannes has been the
foundation of my musical life. Mannes provided
superb musical training that fostered my individual
development in an environment that was both nurturing
and challenging.” —JoAnn Falletta
“Mannes seems to me unique in the importance it gives to the wholeness of a
musician’s education, the degree to which thought and feeling go hand in hand
with mastery of one’s craft. It has always tried to encourage in its students a
generous and humanistic conception of what it means to be a musician. What
I learned at the school has been the foundation of my life in music.”
—Richard Goode
Your Education at Mannes Enrollment, Faculty, and Classes
Total Enrollment 321
Contact Information
Office of Admission
www.newschool.edu/mannes
mannesadmissions@newschool.edu
International Students 46%
Mannes College
Programs of study at Mannes provide training of unparalleled quality Faculty Members 150
The New School for Music
in the art and craft of music. Average Class Size 10–12
150 West 85th Street
Fields of Study Undergraduate Programs Tuition, Financial Aid and Scholarships New York, NY 10024
Performance Concentrations Bachelor of Music Degree
Please contact the office of admission for
Violin • four-year program 212.580.0210 x4862
the most up-to-date tuition information.
Viola • private lessons 1.800.292.3040
Approximately 75 percent of students
Cello • performance classes
receive merit-based scholarships that are
Double Bass • courses in the Techniques of Music Campus Visits and Tours
Harp • liberal arts coursework determined at the time of their audition.
Tours of the college are available
Flute • electives The average award ranges from 25
Monday to Friday and may
Oboe percent to 50 percent of tuition. Loans
Bachelor of Science Degree be scheduled through the office
Clarinet and federal grants are available to U.S.
• based on the BM curriculum, plus of admission or online.
Saxophone citizens and permanent residents who
30 academic credits
Bassoon fill out the Free Application for Federal
Horn Undergraduate Diploma Degree
Student Aid (FAFSA code: 002780)
Trumpet • four-year program
• identical to the BM curriculum, Application and Audition Information
Trombone
Tuba minus the liberal arts courses Apply online at www.unifiedapps.org.
Percussion All applicants are required to audition
Graduate Programs
Voice Master of Music Degree in person at Mannes during one of the
Piano • two-year program audition periods. Audition requirements
Collaborative Piano: Vocal • private lessons vary by field of study and degree program.
(graduate programs only) • performance classes See application instructions for details.
Harpsichord • graduate -level courses
Institutional Information on the Web
Guitar • courses in the Techniques of Music
The New School provides the following
Nonperformance Concentrations • specialized electives
institutional information on the university
Orchestral Conducting Professional Studies Diploma website www.newschool.edu: Family
(BM by advisement only) • two-year program at the post- Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Composition baccalaureate or post-master’s level
(FERPA); financial assistance information
Theory • private lessons
(federal, state, local, private, and institu-
• performance classes
tional need-based and non-need-based
• concentrated coursework specially
assistance programs, Title IV, FFEL,
designed for each student
Direct Loan deferments); institutional
information (fees, refund policies,
Published 2010 by The New School withdrawing from school, academic
Produced by Communications and External Affairs, The New School
information, disability services for
The information published herein represents the plans of The New School at the time of publication.
The University reserves the right to change without notice any matter contained in this publication students); completion/graduation rates
including, but not limited to, tuition, fees, policies, degree programs, names of programs, and transfer-out rates (graduation rate
course offerings, academic activities, academic requirements, facilities, faculty, and administration.
Payment of tuition for attendance in any classes shall constitute a student’s acceptance of the of degree-seeking students, transfer-out
administrator’s rights as set forth in this notice. rates of degree-seeking students). To
The New School does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, gender, or sexual orientation,
request copies of any of these reports,
religion, religious practices, mental or physical disability, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status,
veteran or marital status. The New School is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution. please contact the appropriate office
Photos by Alexander Berg, Bob Handelman, Beatriz Schiller, Matthew Sussman listed on the website.

www.newschool.edu/mannes