Private study of an instrument or voice is available to all students for academic credit.

There are two registration options each for half-hour Music lessons (the MUSC 1xx courses) or for hour Music lessons (the MUSC 2xx courses):

• First option:  a one-credit course (MUSC 1xx) or a two-credit course (MUSC 2xx) that will be mandatory S/CR/Nc and will fulfill the Arts and Literature requirement (AL).  For entry-level students matriculating Fall 2010 and beyond, these non-juried courses without the "J" designation will not satisfy the new Arts Practice Requirement (ARP).

• Second option:  a one-credit course (100-level) or a two-credit course (200-level) that will carry a “J” designation at the end of the course number (e.g. for piano, MUSC 150J or MUSC 250J).  The "J" Juried courses will receive a letter grade, and will fulfill the Arts and Literature requirement (AL).  Students may continue with Juried lessons even if they have satisfied the AL or ARP requirements.  As with any other class, students may elect to S/CR/Nc this class, in which case, these S/CR/Nc credits count toward their 30-credit maximum allowed during a student's time at Carleton.  For entry-level students matriculating Fall 2010 and beyond, "J" Juried courses will satisfy the new Arts Practice Requirement (ARP).

What is a Jury?  All "J" (Juried) courses will include a five to ten minute performance (Jury) normally held after ninth week, including tenth week and exam days.  The choice of repertoire and learning goals for the Jury will be decided by the primary applied music instructor in consultation with the student.  The Jury will be assessed by your applied music instructor working in partnership with one other faculty member.  Together, they will provide each student with constructive feedback about their jury performance.  Of primary importance in assessing the Jury performance will be the level of engagement with and quality of preparation of the music performed, rather than the difficulty of the repertoire.  Students will not be judged in comparison with other students.  The final course grade for juried lessons will continue to be the decision of the primary instructor. 

Why a Jury? Requiring a Jury at the end of each term of study is broadly typical of how music is taught at other institutions of higher learning.  In addition, the College has moved to a more conscious assessment of learning outcomes as well as a revised set of distribution requirements for entry-level students matriculating Fall 2010 and beyond.  Accordingly, the Music Department decided that there should be a final evaluation (jury) every term which provides students with more constructive feedback as to their progress for the term.  In addition to the feedback, students taking the juried option will receive a letter grade.

The non-juried option may be especially attractive for students who wish to take private lessons without the required Jury or letter grade.  Non-juried lessons are mandatory S/CR/Nc courses and do NOT require a Jury. The non-juried lessons will satisfy the Arts and Literature (AL) requirement. For entry-level students matriculating Fall 2010 and beyond, the non-juried courses will not satisfy the Arts Practice (ARP) requirement.

Normally lessons are not taught during mid-term break since there is a 10th weekend/Monday in each term before Reading Days; check with your instructor.

Fees:  After the drop/add deadline, a term fee of $255 is billed for 9 half-hour lessons (1 credit) per term, or $510 for 9 hour lessons (2 credits, with the approval of the instructor).  Class Guitar and Class African Drum are each $75 per term.Please Note:  Fees are not refundable for late drops, except when a late drop is made for medical reasons or in similar emergency situations.

Request for Assistance with Music Lessons:  Requests must be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Services.  Forms are available through that office and in the Department of Music and must be submitted by the deadline shown on the form.

Practice/Performance Expectations:  An hour of daily practice is expected for 1-credit lessons, two hours daily for 2-credit lessons.  Grades will reflect the quality of work and improvement, as well as the number of lessons attended.  Some instructors hold weekly or occasional classes for their students for performance and/or presentation of related material.  Students are encouraged to attend some of the many student, faculty, organizational, and guest artist concerts performed each term.  By observing and listening to other musicians, a student can gain insight into his or her own performance.  Practice rooms are available on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Music Hall (primarily piano, voice and strings) and on the Lower Level of the Music & Drama Center (primarily other instruments).

Missed Lessons:  Student Responsibility:  Students who need to miss lessons due to illness or necessary trips away from campus should inform the instructor at least 24 hours in advance and arrange a make-up lesson at the instructor's convenience, possibly during Reading Days.  Lessons missed because a student is too busy or hasn't practiced are not made up, but advance notice is a courtesy that permits the instructor to use the time more efficiently.  Some instructors prefer that unpre­pared students come at their scheduled time and use the lesson time for work on technique, theory, etc.; check with your instructor.  Obviously, there may be occasional exceptions (last-minute medical or family emergencies) to the advance notice policy; any other exceptions are at the discretion of the instructor.  Students who have more than three unexcused absences from lessons are advised to late drop or accept an F or NC grade.  Faculty Responsibility:  Faculty should inform students and the Department Administrative Assistant in advance if they will be unable to teach at the scheduled hour, and should arrange for make-up lessons.  Since trying to make up several lessons at once during the final Reading Days is usually unproductive, extra make-up times need to be scheduled earlier in the term.

Instruments/Music:  Students are expected to appear at their first lesson with their instrument, sheet music, and any other necessary items such as reeds, metronomes, mutes, rosin, strings, etc.  Students may elect to contact their instructor in advance of their first lesson to inquire about exactly what should be brought.  The Instrumental Library (henceforth referred to as the I-Libe) located in the basement of the Music and Drama building lends out a limited number of instruments on a first come first served basis.  The I-libe also has some music supplies for sale and an extensive free lending library of chamber music for students enrolled in Music 194 Chamber Music.  Students are encouraged to purchase their own solo sheet music.  The I-libe will be open beginning New Student Week.  Hours will be posted on its door along with contact numbers of people who will be able to help you find what you need.