Santa Clara University

Private Instruction

Overview

All Santa Clara students are eligible to apply for enrollment in private applied instruction although, due to enrollment caps, the Music Department may not be able to honor every request. Beginning-level students in piano, voice, and guitar should enroll in one of the group instruction classes: MUSC 30 -Beginning Piano Class; MUSC 34 - Beginning Voice Class; MUSC 36 - Beginning Guitar Class.

It is important to note that failure to attend lessons or juries will jeopardize the students’ enrollment for future quarters. All private lessons for credit take place on campus

• Music Majors are REQUIRED to take a minimum of 60 minute lessons each quarter they are declared Majors; and they allowed to take an additional 30 minutes of instruction in an area of their choice (or take two 45 minute lessons, or three  30 minute lessons as approved by the department Chair).

• Music Minors are REQUIRED to take a minimum of 45 minute lessons for two years. If they are not proficient in keyboard skills, they may also take 30 minutes of private piano instruction as approved by the department chair. (If there is no enrollment space, a group piano lesson may recommended).

• Musical Theater Minors are REQUIRED to take six quarters of 45 minute vocal instruction over the course of their minor.

• Elective students who a performing in a approved departmental ensemble receive the next priority for admission to private instruction.

• Elective students receive 30 minute lessons on a space available basis, and for a single quarter only. Ongoing enrollment is based solely on available space, and elective students may be withdrawn from the program at the discretion of the Music Department. Ongoing enrollment is also based on the continued approval of the instructor.

Lesson Attendance

Students are required to attend ALL lessons during the quarter.

In the case of illness, the following policy applies:

• Lesson Cancellations - Only one make-up lesson is granted per quarter for student cancellation

• Lessons canceled by the instructor will be made up at a mutually agreed time

Grading/Juries

All students who are enrolled in private instruction must complete NINE weeks of instruction, and take a jury in their area of study.

All juries are organized and scheduled by the instructors in consultation with the music department office, and will always take place during FINALS WEEK. Jury signup sheets will be posted by the Music Department two weeks prior to finals.

Students are required to fillout a jury examination form on which they list material studied throughout the quarter. They will be asked to sing/play one or more of these works at their Jury Examination, which will last between 5-10 minutes. Forms are available to download here.

Jury examinations account for 1/3 of the total grade for the quarter.