From A Neighborhood in Transition
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Music
Music, with the music programs of Columbia University, Barnard University, as well as the Manhattan School of Music, is frequently appreciated in the Morningside Heights area. There are numerous free and low-cost performances, many by students. Also, in the area there are jazz clubs that have been around for decades. Jazz is a genre that is highly appreciated by the community of Morningside Heights. At Grant's Tomb, there are frequent outdoor Jazz concert's which have taken place for over 35 years.
Dance
Dance is a prevalent part of Morningside Heights. The Columbia Ballet Collaborative is a student-organized, student-directed, and student-danced program which is able to combine student creativity and deliver with professional quality. It consists of students from all four of the University's undergraduate colleges and various graduate programs. Barnard also has an exceptional dance program which performs at Miller Theatre as well as performances in Barnard's Minor Latham Playhouse.
Columbia
Columbia and Barnard's dance and music ensembles frequently perform for low prices and sometimes for free at their Campus, at the Minor Latham Playhouse, or at Miller Theatre. There are events for every type of individual taste.
Columbia's The Department of Music, founded in 1896, is one of the oldest and most distinguished at any American university. It has programs in Composition, Ethnomusicology, Historical Musicology, and Music Theory. The number of undergraduates majoring in music at Columbia has grown exponentially through the years. Music Humanities attracts nearly 700 students every semester. The University Orchestra is excellent. The Music Performance Program enables academic credit for lessons and chamber ensembles, such as jazz, bluegrass, klezmer, and Japanese gagaku ensembles. The program boasts some of the best teachers in the world.
Columbia has attracted more students with it's innovative exchange program with the Juilliard School. It enables qualified students at either institution to enroll for courses or lessons for credit at the other.
Saturday, April 18th, the Bacchanal spring concert, which was free, brought Columbia and Barnard students, as well as visitors, to Low Plaza to see the indie band and Columbia alumni Vampire Weekend, as well as hip-hop star Talib Kweli. This concert In 2008, the Bacchanal spring concert was indoors and indie bands The National and Grizzly Bear performed. However, limited seating and weekday evening time-slot caused the the event to lack the turnout that this year's Bacchanal had.
Manhattan School of Music
The Manhattan School of Music has events and performances and most are free public performances. One can listen to jazz, latin, classical, percussion, and many other music styles. Free outdoor concerts are a place that many can sit an enjoy young talent.
The Classical majors are: Bass,Bassoon,Cello,Clarinet,Composition,Flute,Horn,Guitar,Harp,Oboe,Percussion,Piano,Saxophone,Trombone,Bass Trombone,Trumpet,Tuba,Viola,Violin, and Voice. The Jazz majors are: Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass, Composition, Drumset, Guitat, Piano, Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Vibraphone, Violin, and Voice. Thus, there are a wide variety of instruments and styles of music to enjoy at an outdoor concert.
Music Hot Spots
The following are some of the places with live music in the morningside heights area.
The Cotton Club 656 W 125th St New York, NY 10027
This club was designed to have a "stylish plantation environment" and so all of its entertainers were black and all of the audience was white with rare exceptions which further developed the theme. It was an exlusive club and it was reopened in 1978 as a less exclusive club. You can go there to enjoy some Jazz music and food. Monday night is Swing Dance Night! There are tons of events that people can attend
Havana Central
2911 Broadway (between 113th & 114th Streets) New York, NY 10025
Karaoke and Latin jazz at Havana Central is a hot spot for Columbia's students. Havana Central also boasts authentic cuban food!
Miller Theatre
2960 Broadway New York, NY 10027
Miller Theatre at Columbia University is the place for events from all up and coming new entertainers. They have Jazz performances, Opera performances, classical performances, Columbia/Barnard/Julliard dance performances, and other events. This is a place to find quality performances for less.
The Riverside Church
490 Riverside Dr New York, NY 10025
The Riverside Church has many performances throughout the year. Such as Songs of Soul with the music of Sri Chinmoy with a "panoramic tapestry of world musicians."
Smoke Jazz Club
2751 Broadway New York, NY 10025
A classic Jazz and supper club which boasts live performances 7 nights a week! Columbia University Professors and students frequently play live at the Smoke Jazz Club.
Talay
701 West 135th Street New York, NY 10031
Talay is a lounge/restaurant/bar which is a popular spot in the area. It plays Latin/Hip-Hop/House music.
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