Frequently
Asked Questions
Are
there any pre-requisites for performance study?
Students
taking lessons for the first time at Mount Holyoke must audition/interview
and must demonstrate at least an intermediate level of proficiency
in order to be eligible for lessons for credit through the
Music Department. Students may take one performance course
for one semester without
any
pre-reqs, but continued study is dependent on exemption from
or enrollment in Music 100, Basic Musicianship. This is known
as the MUSIC 100 REQUIREMENT. The 100
Exemption Exam is given at the beginning of each semester.
Performance study for beginners is offered only to declared
music majors with the exception of the areas of voice and historic
instruments.
Do
I need to be a music major or minor to take lessons?
No. All students are eligible for lessons and actually,
there are many students enrolled in performance study who
are
not majors or minors.
Is
there a fee for music lessons?
The College
charges the following fees for performance study:
$600 per semester for weekly, individual 50-minute lessons
$360 per semester for weekly, individual 30-minute lessons
No refunds
of fees are allowed for students who drop a performance course
after the 10th academic day.
Music
lesson fees are waived for declared music majors and minors.
Are
there any scholarships available?
Students
who receive financial aid from the College are eligible to
apply for a Grant-in-Aid to help pay for lessons. Applications
are
available in the Music Department Office or online and
must be submitted at the beginning of each semester of study.
There are no
automatic
renewals.
Where
can I store my instrument?
There are
a limited number of instrument storage lockers in Pratt. Students
who are taking music lessons and/or playing in ensembles may
store an instrument in a locker after registering with Michèle
Scanlon in the Music Office. Students must supply their own
padlock.
Where
can I practice?
There are
12 practice rooms in Pratt which are open from 6 a.m.- 11 p.m.
Use of the practice rooms is open to all Mount Holyoke students,
but priority is given to students enrolled in performance studies.
Can
I get credit for taking lessons?
YES, all
performance study is for credit and the grade you receive is
included in your GPA. Students enrolled in a 50-minute lesson
receive 2 credits per semester; students enrolled in a 30-minute
lesson receive 1 credit per semester. Students taking performance
study at the 300 level receive 4 credits per semester.
What
other performance opportunities are available besides music
lessons?
There are
a number of instrumental ensembles
at the College including the Symphony
Orchestra, Euridice Ensembles (17th /18th century period
chamber ensembles), string ,wind and mixed small ensembles,
Klezmer Band, the Jazz ensembles and
the West African Music Ensembles.
Choral ensembles include Chorale,an intermediate level
choir , Glee Club, an advanced choir, and Chamber Singers,
a highly select vocal ensemble drawn from Glee Club, the Early
Music Ensembles (Collegium and Voces Feminae) and
Vocal Jazz. Auditions are required for participation; students
receive 1 credit per semester.
When can I declare a music major or minor?
Students can declare a music major or minor as early
as the second semester of their first year provided they
have completed one classroom course that leads to the major or
minor i. e. Music 100 (Basic Musicianship), given each semester,
or Music 231 (Theory I), given in the spring semester. Students
must make an appointment with the Department Chair to discuss
courses they plan to take and to obtain necessary signature.
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