The Music Department offers a wide range of academic and performance opportunities. For those who wish to undertake in-depth study of music history, theory, or composition, we offer both major and minor programs in music. For students who desire to expand their knowledge of music without making it a central focus of the academic program, we also offer numerous courses that assume no special background.

Private instrumental and vocal instruction is available to all Wellesley students, and qualified students are accepted by audition into a program (Music 199/299), in which they receive academic credit for lessons taken in conjunction with elective music courses. Performing organizations are open by audition to all students, whether or not they take private lessons or academic courses in the department.

Our basic music courses include historical surveys of Western and world musics (105), jazz (209), vocal music (223), opera (230), instrumental music (235), practical fundamentals courses (111 and 111x) (which all students desiring private lessons must either take or exempt), first-level and intermediate theory courses (122 and 244), and additional courses (open to all students) covering musical repertoires from a variety of eras and regions.

The department offers private instruction in voice, piano, fortepiano, organ, harpsichord, harp, violin, Baroque violin, fiddle, viola, violincello, double bass, viola da gamba, flute (Baroque and modern), ovoe, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba, recorder, lute, classical guitar, saxophone, percussion, and marimba; and private jazz instruction in piano, violin, bass, saxophone, flute, percussion, and voice. We will make every attempt to accommodate students wishing private instruction in instruments not currently taught.

All students who wish to receive private instruction must take the Music Theory Placement Test, offered during Orientation Week. Information concerning auditions and course requirements for noncredit and credit study is given under listings for Music 99, 199, 299, and 344. Except for 344, auditions and the Placement Test are ordinarily given at the start of the first semester.

Arrangements for lessons are made at the department office during Orientation of the first week fo the semester. Students may begin private study in 99 (but not 199 or 299 ) at the start of the second semester if space permits.

Music 99: Non-credit private instruction
Open to all students
Corequisite of Music 111 during same academic year is exempted via the Music Theory Placement Test or fulfilled in the same academic year in which the lessons begin. Several partial scholarships are available by application. Auditions or an initial meeting with the teacher are required.

Music 199/299: Performing Music for Credit Programs

Credit for performing music at the 199 and 299 levels is granted only for study with the department's performance faculty, not with outside instructors; the final decision for acceptance is based on the student's audition. One unit of credit is gratned for a full year (2 semesters) of study in either 199 or 299. Except by special permission, both semesters must be satisfactorily completed before credit can be counted toward the degree. While the performance music courses (99,199,299,344) may be repeated without limit, no more than four units of credit in these courses may be counted toward the degree. More than one course in performing music for credit can be taken simultaneously only by special permission of the department.

An additional music course must be elected as a corequisite for each unit of credit in performing music. If a student must take MUS 111 or 111x as a result of the Placement Test, this course counts as the corequisite for the year.

The department's MUS 199 and 299 course offerings are made possible by the estate of Elsa Graefe Whitney, '18.

Music 344: Performance Workshop

The performance workshop is directed by Professor Fisk with a member or members of the perfoming music faculty. It offers advanced students an opportunity to perfrom frequently in an informal setting before fellow students and faculty, to discuss repertoire and interpretation, and to receive constructive comments.

FEES: There is no charge for performing music to students enrolled in Music 199, 299, or 344 who: 1) have demonstrated financial need as determined by the Wellesley College Financial Aid Office; 2) are receiving financial aid from Wellesley College; and 3) are taking the normal length of lesson (45 minutes at the 199 level, one hour at the 299 level). All other Music 199 and 299,students, while still given the full-length lesson, are charged $988 per year (calculated as the rate for one half-hour lesson per week of the academic year). 199 students who normally have 45 minute lessons may register for hour lessons for an additional charge. Students who contract for performing music instruction under Music 99 are charged $988 for one half-hour lesson per week through both semesters, and may register for 45-minute or hour lessons for an additional charge. A few partial subsidies are available to students taking Music 99. A fee of $35 per year is charged to performing music students for the use of a practice studio. The fee for the use of a practice studio for fortepiano, harpsichord, and organ is $45.

Music lessons at Wellesley involve a full-year commitment; lesson contracts are binding for the entire school year. Performing music fees are payable by September 30; no refunds will be made thereafter.

Group Lessons: Weekly group lessons in voice, classical guitar, percussion, viola da gamba, and Renaissance wind instruments are available at a fee of $300 per year. Group instruction in the Alexander Technique is offered at a fee of $150 per semester.

Music Theory Placement Test

The Music Department requires all students who wish to take courses in the
Music Department or take private instrumental/voice instruction to take
the Music Theory Placement Test. The purpose of the MTPT is to guide the
Music Department in determining what theory training will best support
your music study goals. We do not expect or require all students to be
familiar with every topic covered  on  the exam before coming to
Wellesley. Among the areas covered are: nomenclature and notation of
intervals, scales, triads, and seventh chords, clef-reading,  notation of
musical rhythm, aural skills, basic musical terminology,  and (for more
advanced students) fundamentals of figured bass realization.  In addition,
students are asked to fill out a page of information about  their musical
background.

Reviewing for the Test:

Those wishing to review for the test may want to refer to Elements of Music by Joseph N. Straus, which is published by Prentice Hall or The Music Kit (fourth edition) by Tom Manoff, published by W. W. Norton. These texts have excellent general theory information. If you prefer, you may simply review with any other basic theory text. Once again, the topics covered are: nomenclature and notation of intervals, scales, triads, and seventh chords, clef-reading, notation of musical rhythm, aural (listening/dictation) skills, basic musical terminology, and (for more advanced students) fundamentals of figured bass realization.The test, which will be administered in Jewett Auditorium, during Orientation Week and takes approximately one hour. It is essential that students wishing to take courses or lessons in the Music Department take
this test!

Test Schedule 2008-9
During Orientation Week
Wednesday, August 27 8-9 am   Jewett Auditorium
Wednesday, August 27, 4:30-5:30pm  Jewett Auditorium.

Results will be posted by 2pm on Thursday, August 28 so that students will have their placement information in time for class registration, which will take place on Friday morning. 

Audition for Lessons-

Cello: Sat, Sept 5, 3-6pm JAC 133
Classical/Theater Voice: Friday, Sept 4, 9:30-noon and 1:30-3:30pm, PNE W220
Jazz/Pop Voice: Sept 4, 1:30-3:30pm only, PNE W220
Piano, Monday, Sept 7, Monday, Sept 7, 10-4pm, Pendleton W220
Oboe--sign up sheet on bulletin board outside Music dept office.
Guitar/Lute: sign up sheet on bulletin board outside Music dept office.
Flute: TBD
Jazz vioin/viola: Friday, Sept 4, 10-noon, JAC 106 or by arrangement.
Viola: Tues, Sept 8, 6-7pm, JAC 106
Violin: Tues, Sept 8, 7-9 pm, JAC 106
All other instruments: Students who have completed the Music Theory Placement test and indicated a desire to take private or group lessons on an instrument not listed above will be contacted by the instructor for that instrument during the first week of class. If this does not occur or you have questions, contact Marion Dry, Chair/Director of the Music Performance Program by email: mdry@ wellesley.edu.

Preparing For Auditions

Auditions for private instruction take several different forms. Voice, strings, and piano have scheduled auditions during Orientation Week or during the first week of classes. All other instrumental auditions occur during a “first meeting” with the instructor. Listed below are requirements for some instruments/voice. If your instrument or style is not listed, it is safe to assume that you should be prepared to play two short excerpts or pieces in contrasting styles. Auditions are intended to be relaxed and pleasant!

Bassoon:
199 - All major scales in two octaves.
A study of the difficulty of Milde Scale Studies or Vaulet Studies.
Slow and fast solo movements of the difficulty of Vivaldi’s Concerto in F Major.
299 - Chromatic scale covering the entire range up to high D, major and minor scales three octaves, the range of the instrument.
A study of the difficulty of Milde Concert studies
Fast and slow movements of the difficulty of Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto or Weber’s Andante and Rondo, or Weber’s Concerto.

Flute
Please prepare two contrasting movements (time periods and styles) as well as your list of completed repertoire and studies.

Jazz Violin
Auditions consist of two or three-octave scales and arpeggios in keys up to four sharps and four flats, as well as two contrasting pieces in any style.S tudents with improvisation experience will be asked to play a blues and a jazz standard of their choice.

Jazz/World Music Audition requirements for Private lessons:
1) Be able to play all twelve major scales, and Dorian and Mixolydian modes in two keys.
2) Prepare two pieces that you feel best represent the range of your skills.
Ex. a blues or standard (for interpretation and possible improvisation) and a solo transcription or jazz etude (for reading and interpretation).
If comfortable, plan to improvise on at least one of the pieces.

Piano
Prepare to perform two or more pieces of intermediate to advanced difficulty from different style periods (i.e. baroque, classical, romantic, modern).

Oboe
You will be asked to play scales, Barret or Ferling Etude, and two movements of a solo piece.

Strings
Perform a scale plus a set of arpeggios and two contrasting pieces, usually one fast and one slow.

Voice
Singers should prepare 3-5 minutes of music maximum, preferably something you like and know well. Ideally the pieces will show different aspects of your singing. One piece could be something like “Happy Birthday” or “The Star-Spangled Banner.” An accompanist will be provided, so please bring a copy of the music you will sing for the pianist, if you wish accompaniment. You are also welcome to sing unaccompanied or to accompany yourself, if you prefer. We will also have a questionnaire for you to fill out asking about your musical background and interests

Audition for Ensembles- All auditions with specific dates and times require sign up. Sign up sheets are posted outside the Music Department Office in Jewett, near the Auditorium.

Orchestra Auditions:
Monday, Sept 7 from 2-5 and 6-9
Tuesday, September 8 from 6-8, with a waiting list for those that cannot find any other time from 8-10. Room will be posted outside Music Dept door on the day of the auditions.

Choir/Chamber Singers Auditions:
Sat, Sept 5
Sunday, Sept 6
Monday, Sept 7
Late morning into early evening all days, JAC 103.

Chamber Music Society Auditions:
For Strings, piano, voice, harp and guitar-
Thursday, Sept 10, 12:30-5:30, JAC 107
Friday, Sept 11, 12:30-5:30, JAC 107

For Woodwinds, Brass, Piano, voice, harp, guitar-
Wednesday, Sept, 9, 12:30-5:30pm, JAC 107
Thursday, Sept 10, 12:30-5:30pm, JAC 102A

Wellesley BlueJazz Auditions:
Friday Sept 4, 10-noon, JAC 106

Yanvalou Open Meeting:
Tuesday, Sept 15, 5-7pm, Jewett Auditorium

Collegium Open Meeting:
Monday, September 14, 7-9pm

For information about specific ensembles, please see the Ensembles page.

The music minor is a program of at least five units. One unit must come from theory (120, 122, or 244), and another from history (101, 200, 201, 209, 222, 223, 224, 230, 235, or 276). One of the five units may come from earning one credit through performing music lessons (199, 299) or through completing two years in an ensemble (250H). In order to shape a program to suit diverse musical interests, the student minoring in music should plan to select the remaining two or three coursesin consultation with her chosen advisor in the process of declaring her music minor.

The music department does not ordinarily allow courses taken credit/non-credit to count toward the major

Students interested in majoring in music are strongly encouraged to begin the theory sequence with 122 in the fall semester of the first year. This allows them to enroll in the spring-term offering of 244, which is the prerequisite for 200 and the courses that follow sequentially. Starting on this sequence immediately affords the option of taking a wider variety of elective music courses in the junior and senior years, and also makes it easier for those spending the junior year abroad to complete the major comfortably. Students who plan to undertake graduate study in western music history or theory are advised that knowledge of both German and French (beyond the introductory level) is essential, and proficiency in Italian highly desirable. Also of value are studies in European history, literature,and art.

Music majors are especially encouraged to develop musicianship through the acquisition of basic keyboard skills, and through ear training, private instruction in practical music, and involvement in the various performing organizations of the Department of Music.

Group instruction in basic keyboard skills, including keyboard harmony, sight-reading, ear training, and score reading, is provided free to all students enrolled in any music course (including 101 with the instructor's permission and if space is available), and to MUS 99 students with the written recommendation of t heir private instructor. Ensemble sight-reading instruction on a more advanced level is also available for pianists.

Academic Distinctions

The department offers a choice of three programs for honors, all under the catalog numbers 360/370; honors students normally elect the two units in succession during the senior year. Eligibility for these programs requries a GPA of 3.5 in the major. Under Program I, the honors candidate carries out independent research leading to a written thesis and an oral examination. Under Program II, honors in composition, the 360 and 370 units culminate in a composition of substance and an oral examination on the honors work. Prerequisites for this program are 315 and distinguished work in 313. Program III, honors in performance, culminates in a recital, a lecture-demonstration, and an essay on some aspect of performance. The prerequisite for Program III is 344 in the junior year and evidence during that year, through public performance, of exceptional talent and accomplishment; 344 must then be continued in the senior year, but now as a component of the 360/370 sequence, and not for separate course credit.