Individual Performance (MUIP)
"Private Lesson Study"

Private Lesson Teachers
Faculty Chairs and private lesson teachers are listed on the Conservatory of Music website:

1. Keyboard Studies
2. Vocal Studies
3. Strings Studies
4. Wind & Percussion Studies
5. Composition Studies

Private Lesson Registration
Private Lesson Teacher Assignment
The Faculty Chair of each instrumental or vocal area assigns students enrolled in private lessons to their teachers the first week of classes. The Faculty Chairs consider student requests and will accommodate whenever possible. Students sign up for lesson times at 3:15 pm in McAlister on the first day of classes each semester.

Private Lesson Practice Requirements
Private Lesson Attendance
Students are required to take a minimum of 13 private lessons per semester. Whenever possible, students should 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 follow these 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. The student is discouraged from contacting another teacher.
4. After steps 1 and/or 2, the student 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 Chair for approval. Approval of these requests for off-campus lessons is only given in exceptional circumstances and is not guaranteed. The Coordinator of Performance Studies will be 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. Cost in excess of $60 and transportation will be the responsibility of the student.

Private Lesson Studio Classes
Studio classes are a required part of private lessons. Students of each private lesson teacher perform for and critique each other on a regular basis. Studio classes meet at 3:15 pm unless otherwise noted below. Room locations are announced by individual teachers or are available on the R25 webviewer.


Studio Class Schedule for 2008-09
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 adviser 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 share in the student's artistic growth. Jury grades constitute 50% of the semester grade.

Bachelor of Music and Music Education majors normally take one jury during each semester enrolled in private lessons on their principal instrument. In special circumstances, private lesson teachers may allow a minimum of six juries, with at least one each academic year.

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.