The department offers private music lessons to many students. We do not have a performance faculty; instead, we help to match students with excellent private teachers. We provide a subsidy -- in many cases, 100% of the cost of lessons -- and give academic credit for private lessons. In addition, the most accomplished music students may apply to receive transportation expenses to study with teachers off campus.
In many cases it isn't necessary to leave campus for private lessons. The department has invited a number of prominent musicians to teach in Lang Music Building. These are performers of the first rank, including musicians who have toured worldwide and appeared as soloists with the Philadelphia Orchestra and other major orchestras, opera houses, and recital series. Voice students are particularly fortunate, in that we provide a voice studio supervised by the faculty, as well as sessions with a first rate vocal coach.
Practice rooms are readily available in Lang Music Building, all equipped with high-quality Steinway and Yamaha baby grand pianos. Also located in Lang Music Building is The Underhill Music and Dance Library, which provides access to a vast collection of books, scores, and audio recordings.
Important Sign-ups and Deadlines for Fall 2024
Friday, September 6, 2024: Music 48 Auditions (Instrumental and Vocal). Sign up using this link before Thursday, Sept. 5. Singers auditioning for Music 48 should fill out this Voice Placement Form by Thursday, Sept. 5.
If the piece you audition with is written to be performed with accompaniment, then you need to sign up to rehearse with Prof. Andrew Hauze, the audition accompanist this year, ahead of time. Rehearsals will be on Thursday, September 5, and you can sign up for a rehearsal time here. Please email Prof. Hauze a pdf of the music you will be performing by Tuesday, September 3 at ahauze1@swarthmore.edu, and feel free to be in touch with him if you have questions.
September 13, 2024 noon: Deadline to submit the Music 48 department application for Fall 2024 semester. Note: Department applications are mandatory for all MUSI 48 (Private Instruction) students.
