Music

Cello Player

Private Lessons

All students are taught by an applied faculty of professional performing musicians with exceptional talent as teachers. As part of this program, students participate in informal as well as formal performance workshops and recitals to hone their skills. To receive course credit for lessons, students must be admitted to MUSIC 180 (dependent upon available funding) and successfully complete the prerequisite courses. Lessons for majors and minors are covered by tuition. MUSIC 180 is not available to beginners.

Students may enroll for lessons through MUSIC 018, but receive no credit and the fee is not covered by tuition. Lessons taken without credit require no prerequisites and are recommended for beginners.

MUSIC 180: Private Instruction in Instruments and Voice

  • The Music Program of Clark University offers private instruction in various instruments and voice for credit to students who have been admitted to the program as Music Majors or Music Minors in Performance. Lessons are provided by members of the performance faculty, chosen for their exceptional teaching skills and performing abilities. Learn More »

    • How many semesters of lessons are covered by tuition?

      Music Majors in Honors Performance receive six semesters of lessons covered by tuition. This track is a more extensive course of study than the normal Music Major, including a full honors recital in the student's senior year. The Honors Performance track must be declared at the end of freshman year.

      Music Majors (non-honors) receive two semesters of lessons covered by tuition, with an option for one or two additional semesters for a maximum of four semesters. The major is designed for students who wish to develop professional musical knowledge and skills within the humanistic context of a liberal arts education. The Music Major should be declared by the end of sophomore year.

      Music Minors in Performance receive four semesters of lessons covered by tuition. This course of study is designed for students who would like to take private instruction but whose major lies in another discipline. The music minor should be declared by the end of sophomore year. There are six (6) course requirements to complete the minor, and all minors are assigned a special advisor to advise them in completing the core requirements.

      Note: All semesters of Music 180 are normally expected to be completed consecutively and in the same instrument or voice. Some flexibility is occasionally granted in regard to this requirement.

      When should I apply for Music 180?

      Interested students should apply to Music 180 as soon as they become eligible (see below), even if they do not plan to commence lessons immediately.

      How do I apply?

      Step 1: Prerequisite course.

      Before a student can be admitted to Music 180 he or she must be declared music major or minor and have completed Music 121.

      Step 2: Application form.

      Please enter your Clark credentials:

      Music 180 Login
      Username:
      Password:

      Step 3: Initial interview.

      After the application has been submitted, prospective students must meet with Professor Malsky, who will determine the student's interest and level of performance proficiency.

      Step 4: A Review of application.

      After completion of Steps 1-3 above, the Music Program will consider each student for admission to Music 180 based on the following criteria:

      1. A grade of "C" or better in the prerequisite course;
      2. The current balance of majors and minors;
      3. Faculty review of the student's progress and future potential; and
      4. Available funding [Note: even if the first three criteria are well met, funding limits may occasionally cause a delay in the commencement of Music 180 lessons]

      Once I become a 180 student, are there requirements for continuation?

      Yes, the following co-requisites and requirements must all be met for each Music 180 semester:

      1. Participation in one ensemble offered through the Music Program: chamber ensembles, concert band, chamber chorus, concert choir, jazz band, or jazz workshop (Note: participation in independent ensembles such as the Counterpoints or Clark Bars does not fulfill this requirement);
      2. Participation in at least one Informal Workshop; there are typically three per semester, each held on a Friday at 1 pm in Fuller Music Center in Estabrook;
      3. Participation in one lab (Aural Skills 1, 2, Keyboard Skills 1, 2) until all lab requirements have been met or placed out of (Note: there is a lab fee of $30.00 per lab.);
      4. A grade of "C" or better in the preceding semester of Music 180 (where applicable); and
      5. Available funding.

      All 180 students are required to maintain satisfactory progress and development of future potential in their chosen performance area. A minimum of two (2) hours daily practice is expected. Furthermore, each student should check with his or her private instructor at the beginning of the semester to determine additional requirements for the course and expectations for accomplishment.

MUSIC 018: Private Instruction in Instruments and Voice

For more information, please contact Professor Benjamin Korstvedt at x7369 or visit the V&PA Program/Events Office, Room 220, Estabrook Hall.