Music

First-year students may participate in activities of the music department by taking classroom courses in theory, history, or composition; by studying performance on an instrument or voice; and/or by participating in performance ensembles.

Selecting Initial Courses
Students interested in pursuing a music major or minor should take Music 231 in their first year.  Since Music 100 is a prerequisite for that course, students should either take or exempt from Music 100 in the first semester. In order to declare a major, students must have already completed one course that leads to the major, Music 100 or 231. Students interested in individual performance studies must take or exempt from Music 100 by the spring semester of their first year.

NOTE: Students interested in performance study must successfully complete or exempt from Music 100 within the first two semesters of performance study.

First-year students may consider enrolling in:

Classroom courses
MUSIC-100fs	Basic Musicianship
MUSIC-102s	Music and Technology
MUSIC-103s	History of Jazz
MUSIC-109f	The Artful Ear
MUSIC-114f	Music of Heroism, Protest, Lament in World War II (FY Seminar)
MUSIC-166f	Intro to Music of Africa
MUSIC-226s	World Music
MUSIC-231s	Theory I
Individual Performance Study
MUSIC-151Afs	Piano
MUSIC-151Bfs	Voice
MUSIC-151Cfs	Flute
MUSIC-151Dfs	Oboe
MUSIC-151Efs	Clarinet
MUSIC-151Ffs	Saxophone
MUSIC-151Gfs	Bassoon
MUSIC-151Hfs	French Horn
MUSIC-151Ifs	Trumpet
MUSIC-151Jfs	Trombone
MUSIC-151Kfs	Tuba
MUSIC-151Mfs	Percussion
MUSIC-151Nfs	Harpsichord
MUSIC-151Ofs	Organ
MUSIC-151Pfs	Harp
MUSIC-151Qfs	Guitar
MUSIC-151Rfs	Violin
MUSIC-151Sfs	Viola
MUSIC-151Tfs	Cello
MUSIC-151Ufs	Bass
MUSIC-151Vfs	Recorders/Early Wind
MUSIC-151Wfs	Loud winds
MUSIC-151Xfs	Lute
MUSIC-151Yfs	Early Strings
Ensemble Performance Study
MUSIC-143Afs	Chamber Music: Wind Ensemble
MUSIC-143Bfs	Chamber Music: String Ensemble
MUSIC-143Cfs	Chamber Music: Piano Ensemble
MUSIC-143Dfs	Chamber Music: Mixed Ensemble
MUSIC-143Efs	Chamber Music: Brass Ensemble
MUSIC-143Ffs	Klezmer Band
MUSIC-143Gfs	Flute Choir
MUSIC-143Hfs	Euridice Ensembles
MUSIC-147Afs	Early Music: Collegium
MUSIC-147Bfs	Early Music: Voces Feminae
MUSIC-147Cfs	Early Music: Instrumental Ensembles
MUSIC-147Dfs	Early Music: Renaissance Dance
MUSIC-147Efs	Early Music: 17th Century Song
MUSIC-155Afs	Big Band
MUSIC-155Bfs	Vocal Jazz
MUSIC-161fs	West African Drum Ensemble
MUSIC-255fs	Chamber Jazz
MUSIC-191fs	MHC Orchestra
MUSIC-193fs	Chorale
MUSIC-293fs	Glee Club
MUSIC-297fs	Chamber Singers

Individual Performance Studies
A Student will not be able to register for individual performance study or ensemble study until she arrives on campus, and completes an audition/interview.  If she receives permission from the instructor, she may then add these courses onto her schedule during orientation or the Add/Drop period on ISIS by doing search for classes—not express registration.  See the Music Department’s Web Site for audition date and procedures for signing up for an audition time.

The department does not offer performance instruction to beginners except in the cases of (a) music majors and (b) students wishing to study instruments not frequently encountered as options for study prior to entering Mount Holyoke (e.g. voice, harpsichord, organ).

Students studying privately are encouraged to elect the 50-minute lesson but may, at their own option or when advised by the instructor, enroll for the 30-minute lesson.

The Department of Music charges the following fees for performances studies: $600 per semester for weekly 50-minute lessons, and $360 per semester for weekly 30-minute lessons.  No fees are charged for any performance studies for declared music majors and minors.  No refunds of music lessons fees will be made after ten academic days from the beginning of the semester.

Applied music fees, grants-in-aid, and fee exemptions are described in the “Tuition and Fees” section of the course catalogue.

Music 100 Requirement
Because the Department of Music believes students enrolled in individual performance studies should have a thorough knowledge of the rudiments of music, successful completion of, or exemption from, Music 100 must occur within the first two semesters of performance study.  Please note that the Music 100 Exemption Examination is in two parts; if the student passes the written portion but not the aural one, she will receive a provisional exemption.  The student, in consultation with her teachers, is expected to improve her aural skills so she will pass the aural section of the examination when it is next offered.  Students who do not pass the Music 100 exemption exam, or who elect to not to take the exam, must meet with the chair of the department in order to plan how the Music 100 requirement will be met prior to, or during, the next semester.  Successful completion of, or exemption from, Music 100 allows up to 8 academic credits of individual performance study on one instrument at the 100 level.  Students who already have a thorough knowledge of the rudiments of music may take the Music 100 Exemption Exam scheduled during the first week of classes.  For more informaiton on exemption exam date and content, please go to http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/music/program/performancestudies.shtml.

Ensemble Performance Studies
First-year students may audition for a variety of large and small instrumental and vocal ensembles  devoted to a wide range of repertory.  Enrollment for credit thru the department in any large or small ensemble is by audition only.

The Five College Early Music Program
The Five College Early Music Program provides educational and musical experience for those interested in the music of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the baroque era.  A faculty of distinguished performers and scholars provides practical and theoretical experience in performing early music.  A collection of medieval, Renaissance, and baroque instruments is available to students for study and performance.  Students are encouraged to participate actively in one or more of the performing groups that meet regularly with a coach; ensembles are organized at all levels of ability, from beginning to advanced, to accommodate progress throughout a four-year academic program.