Expertise Areas of interest: Classical composition, writing musical theater (including music, lyrics, libretti), songwriting (pop, rock, blues, folk, etc.); music theory; orchestration; arranging. Also: music publishing and related topics.
Experience Composer/arranger with over 100 original works and arrangements in currently in print; publishers include E.F. Kalmus, Masters Music, Music-Print Productions, Theodore Presser, etc. Works have been performed throughout the U.S. and Europe by the United States Navy Band, the U.S. Naval Academy Band, violinist Florian Meyer, the Dresden Sinfonietta conducted by Milko Kersten, pianist Laura Leon, the Meridian String Quartet, the New Hudson Saxophone Quartet, clarinetist Guido Arbonelli, etc. Off-Broadway musical "Critic" (1988) ran 41 performances to good reviews. Co-author, with Allen Cohen, "Writing Musical Theater" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2006). Also performing singer/songwriter: was in the Don't Quit Your Day Job Players, 1997-2000 (CD:"Blues Spoken Here" available at CDBaby); solo performer since 2000 (CD:"A Man Like Me" available at CDBaby, iTunes, etc.). Classical works and songs recorded on the Capstone, Richarson, Music for a G'Day, and MPP labels; available through CDBaby and/or iTunes, Rhapsody, etc.
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Composition at New York University; have taught composition and other subjects at NYU since 1992, including "Introduction to Music Publishing and Printing" (which I created for NYU's Music Business program). Also Adjunct Assistant Professor at Nassau Community College, teaching songwriting, folk music, history of rock, and other subjects. Currently creating a series of performance etudes for the U.S. Navy School of Music, coordinating them with the School's music theory, ear training, and performance instruction programs.
Organizations ASCAP, MENC, NARAS, Music Theory Society, College Music Society, plus several others in music education, composition, and theory.
Publications "Writing Musical Theater" by Allen Cohen and Steven L. Rosenhaus (Palgrave Macmillan, 2006). Article in Strings Magazine, May 2007, on my string quartet "Strange Loops."
Education/Credentials Ph.D.- New York University
M.A. - Queens College (CUNY)
B.A. - Queens College (CUNY)
Q: I'm searching everywhere for the definition of vocal arrangement & vocal production. I would like to ... A: "Vocal arrangement" means different things, depending on the situation. Usually though, it involves ...
Q: H i,i'm sierra and i was wondering how do i get my singing career started? Um mean people tell me ... A: It sounds like you have already started your singing career, or at least you have taken the first ...
Q: I wrote another song and It's called "Falling Down" and I wanted to know what you think of it. This ... A: I was glad to read your new lyrics. These are =much= better. They make sense on the first ...
Q: I'm a huge Beatle fan and I was wondering what style are their songs in? What made people like their ... A: I'm a long time Beatle fan too. To answer your questions: 1. Styles, not style. That I think was ...
Q: I wrote this song and It's supposed to be a rock song. I can't think of a title so I would like to ... A: Oh yes, writing songs can be =very= hard. It can also be very easy. It all depends. Sometimes a song ...
Q: I wrote this song and It's supposed to be a rock song. I can't think of a title so I would like to ... A: Ava, About your first song's chorus: Wait, I've overcomed the pain I'll never be the same Now that ...
Q: I wrote this song and It's supposed to be a rock song. I can't think of a title so I would like to ... A: You're off to a good start on your song, and with some editing it can be pretty strong. There are a ...
Q: I don't play the piano, nor do I know anything really about how to compile music, but I love George ... A: As a computer programmer, I'm sure you are familiar with the acronym "R.T.F.M."--"Read the ****in' ...
Q: Rosenhaus: Thank you so much for your answer to my last question. I now have 2 theory questions ... A: I'm glad I was able to answer your previous question. Okay, let's dive into the new ones... Direct ...
Q: I am reauditioning for a professional choir and am working on Handel, But Who May Abide. I ... A: The only possibility I can think of is Music Minus One, which is likely to have what you're seeking. ...
Q: I have a few guitar related questions..just simple answers is fine.. If I played a few out of key ... A: "Simple answers"? Uh, okay, I'll try, but you didn't ask simple questions (grin). 1. How long you ...
Q: I'm starting to get interested in composing music, but I don't know where to start. Do you have any ... A: "Where to start" depends on what kind of music you want to compose. If you want to write songs, the ...
Q: How is it usually indicated when one wants only half the string section of the orchestra to play, ... A: You sure know how to test my knowledge! (That's a good thing.) The answer to all parts of your ...
Q: How is it usually indicated when one wants only half the string section of the orchestra to play, ... A: I'm not at home at the moment--oddly enough I'm attending the American String Teachers Association ...
Q: For part of my Music course at college, I have to create a composition of my choice, as musical ... A: There are a lot of misconceptions about writing for musical theater (I'm using the American spelling ...
Q: What does the term "string" mean when written on a score? For example in Weber's Der Freishutz, bar ... A: If that's "string." (with a period to show an abbreviation), then it means "stringendo," which in ...
Q: I never wrote a song in my life. Can you give me advise on how to write a song? A: I think the best way to get started is with writing lyrics (the words), and the best way =I= know is ...
Q: I'm involved in a group project at my local college in a study of musicals. My area to cover is ... A: Not to brag, but I have co-written a book that would be a very good resource. It's called "Writing ...
Q: My roommates are looking for a few fun songs to play at my roommates wedding reception. We have a ... A: I can't offer any specific recommendations. Your best bet would be to check out the catalogs of the ...
Q: I published a book and CD of songs for children that won the Latino Books Award for 2006. Now the ... A: It seems that, since the publisher now owns the rights, you can pretty much treat things as if you ...
Q: I published a book and CD of songs for children that won the Latino Books Award for 2006. Now the ... A: First of all, congratulations on winning the Latino Books Award in 2006 for your book/CD of songs ...
Q: I'm a frusterated amateur musician following the path of finacial security, I'm in a Maritime ... A: Sorry about the delay in answering your question(s). To get started in composition I would suggest ...
Q: I am trying to learn to use a Fake Book for pop rock N roll for piano. the question is if the key ... A: * Yes, you sharp the C when you play the A7, no matter what key you're actually in. The best way to ...
Q: well my name is georgiana ward i have beeen singing for a prettty long time now i am 12 years old ... A: I'm glad you found that music is something you like and that you're good at doing. That is terrific! ...
Q: I know there are dominant, major, minor, diminished and half-diminished 7th chords but I'm wondering ... A: The easiest way I know to answer your questions is to show you the make up of each chord with a ...
Q: Hey, I'm 16 and a rising Christian Contemporary songwriter. I have no problem writing lyrics, they ... A: Good luck with your career as a songwriter. I'm glad you have the lyric-writing down already; that ...
Q: First of all, thanks for the help you offer to all those who need it! Much appreciate it! My ... A: First of all, you're quite welcome. I enjoy answering the questions I get, especially when they're ...
Q: I desperately am trying to find out the time signature at the end of a particular song. Its a long ... A: You are selling yourself short by saying that it would be difficult for you to count beats. If you ...
Q: I desperately am trying to find out the time signature at the end of a particular song. Its a long ... A: It's a bit difficult to answer your question as I don't know the song, but I'll do my best to help ...
Q: When you write a song how do you put good words in it so it doesn't sound simple minded. Like how do ... A: I know this will sound cliché and old-fashioned, but probably the best way to write a song is ...
Q: What intervals are predominant in West Side Story please? Thanks A: I'm curious to know what prompted the question, but meanwhile, here is the basic answer: Bernstein ...
Q: I was delighted to find this site after all my trips to the library and googling till my fingers ... A: Eileen, Glad you're enjoying it. Before we start, I have to say I'm confused. You quote "Yesterday" ...
Q: I'm what you might call a foreign language geek. I have at least an intermediate if not advanced ... A: Timing is everything. I'm about to go to Germany to be a "show doctor" for a musical based on Part 2 ...
Q: I was wondering if you can tell me how one enters the field of film music. How do you become a film ... A: Your question is just a little outside my area of expertise--I've only done a couple of small film ...
Q: Could you tell me what the correct terminology for 2 songs of the same music, different lyrics but ... A: The closest term would be "quodlibet" in which two (or more) tunes are presented simultaneously ...
Q: I dont know if this is quite your field or if you had any experience in this sector, but Ill try ... A: There are no set "rules" or structures in creating a song for a musical, although there are several ...
