Individual Performance (MUIP) "Private Lesson Study"

Private Lesson Study

Private Lesson Teachers

Private lesson teachers are listed on the Conservatory of Music website:

Private Lesson Registration Information

Private Lesson Teacher Assignment

The Faculty Chair of each instrumental or vocal area assigns students enrolled in private lessons to their teachers during the first week of classes. The Faculty Chairs consider student requests for specific teachers and will accommodate when possible. Students sign up for lesson times with their private teacher early each semester. Sign-up times and locations are posted on the Performance bulletin board opposite McAlister 139 during the first week of classes.

Private Lesson Practice Requirements

Private Lesson Attendance

Students are required to take a minimum of 13 private lessons per semester. Students must notify their teacher of an anticipated absence 24 hours in advance. Make-up lessons are available at the discretion of individual teachers.

Private Lesson Teacher Changes

As Christians we want to honor the investment teachers make in their students. Students should proceed through the following steps when considering a teacher change:

1. Discuss concerns with the present teacher.
2. Consult the Area Chair or Director of Performance Studies if there is a need for help with this discussion.
3. Students are discouraged from contacting another teacher.
4. After steps 1 and/or 2, the students will meet with the Area Chair for reassignment.

Private Lessons Off Campus

Private lessons take place on campus or, on rare occasions, in alternate locations throughout the Chicago area. Off-campus lessons for vocal, keyboard and violin students will only be considered in the event training in a unique method or repertoire is needed. Off-campus lessons may be necessary for certain instruments in the event a teacher is not available on campus.

Students requesting off-campus lessons should petition the appropriate Faculty Area Chair for approval. Approval of these requests for off-campus lessons is only given in exceptional circumstances and is not guaranteed. The Director of Performance Studies is available for consultation as needed.

Students whose request for private lessons off-campus is approved will receive a subsidy of $60 per lesson for up to 13 lessons.  Costs in excess of $60 and transportation are the responsibility of the students.

Private Lesson Studio Classes

Studio classes are a required part of private lessons. Students of each private lesson teacher perform for each other on a regular basis and receive comments. Studio classes generally meet at 3:15 pm.  Room locations and times are announced by individual teachers or are available on the 25Live.

Bachelor of Arts music majors and Liberal Arts majors taking lessons for credit are encouraged to participate in studio class.

Students should avoid scheduling conflicts during studio class times, except in cases where required courses are unavailable at any other time. Students cannot allow lessons, classes, work or other conflicts to preempt the studio class. Consultation with the student's advisor and current private lesson teacher are expected in order to resolve conflicts with studio class.

Private Lesson Jury Exams

Jury exams take place two times per year. Each jury will establish levels of performance and allow the area faculty to observe students’ artistic growth. Jury grades constitute 50% of the semester grade.

Bachelor of Music and Music Education majors are required to take one jury during each semester enrolled in private lessons on their principal instrument. In exceptional situations, private lesson teachers may waive a maximum of two non-consecutive juries, but students are required to take at least one jury each academic year.

BA Music juries are left up to the teacher.

The maximum length of a jury will be 20 minutes for students taking lessons for 3 or 4 semester-hours of credit, and 10 minutes for 2 semester-hours of credit. Requirements for the examination vary in each instrumental or vocal area.