FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MUSIC PROGRAM

1. When applying to MIT, must performers send a music supplement to admissions?
2. Do you have to be a Music Major at MIT to join the ensembles?
3. Are the ensembles competitive?
4. How do I audition?
5. When are auditions held?
6. Are the ensembles available for credit?
7. What are the ensemble rehearsal schedules?
8. How many concerts do the ensembles perform?
9. Is it possible to take private lessons at MIT?
10.  What instruments, storage and practice facilities are available?
11.  Other than performance, what music subjects are offered?
12.  If I have further questions, who do I contact?

1. When applying to MIT, must performers send a music supplement to admissions?
No, It isn’t required, but very advanced performers interested in continuing their performance at MIT, whether for credit or not, may send in a music supplement for evaluation by the music faculty. This evaluation becomes a part of your admissions file. There is no admission process for the music program. But to join any of the ensembles, again, whether for credit or not, MIT students must audition for its music director at the beginning of the semester. For admissions information, consult the MIT admissions website.

2. Do you have to be a Music Major at MIT to join the ensembles?
No. The majority of our students are not music majors. There are many performers who chose to study music for their Humanities Concentration, or as a Music Minor or Major. But no, there are no pre-requisites for membership in our ensembles other than an audition.  Ensembles are open to all MIT students, including graduate students.

3. Are the ensembles competitive?
The Music and Theater Arts Section’s ensemble directors try to select the strongest singers and instrumentalists whenever possible. Incoming students tend to have had strong musical experiences in high school, and in many cases, private instruction. However, all students with a serious interest in music performance should audition to find out if there are any opportunities available for them in a given ensemble for the upcoming semester.  The faculty will make every effort to include as many students as possible.

4. How do I audition?
All audition information and requirements are posted in the auditions section of this site. The basic requirement for instrumentalists is to perform one or two short pieces that best demonstrate their ability. Sometimes there may also be some sight-reading and scales.

5. When are auditions held?
For incoming students, auditions start at the end of August and during the first week of classes. Some auditions are by appointment (for Emerson Fellowships/Scholarships, the Wind Ensemble, the Jazz Ensemble, and the Symphony.  Chamber Music Society auditions are held each semester on Registration Day at 7 pm in Killian Hall. Other auditions, such as for Concert and Chamber choirs, take place on the first scheduled class meeting for the group. NOTE: If you miss the auditions and want to audition for a performing group after the semester is already underway, please come to the Concerts Office, in 4-243, or send an email query to mta-request@mit.edu, to see if it is still possible.

6. Are the ensembles available for credit?
Yes. MIT Music Section ensembles are co-curricular, which means that the student may register for subject credit. Rehearsal attendance and performance expectations are the same whether you are participating in an ensemble for credit or not.  If you are participating in MITSO, Wind Ensemble or the Festival Jazz Ensemble and you are taking the ensemble for credit, it is necessary to pass a short playing exam on the literature you are working on at the end of each semester.

7. What are the rehearsal schedules?
Chamber Chorus, T/Th,  9:30-11 am
 Concert Choir, M/Th,  6-8:30 pm
Festival Jazz Ensemble (FJE), T/Th, 5:15-7:15 pm
Chamber Music Society, One hour coaching per week by appointment
Symphony Orchestra (MITSO), T/Th, 7:30-10 pm
MIT Wind Ensemble (MITWE), M/W, 7:30-10 pm
Rambax (African Drumming Ensemble), T, 7-9:30 pm
Gamelan Galak-Tika (Balinese Gamelan), M/W, 7:30-9:30 pm

8. How many concerts do the ensembles perform?
MITSO, FJE and MITWE usually perform twice per semester, Chamber Chorus, Concert Choir, Rambax, Gamelan Galak-Tika and Chamber Music Society ensembles perform one concert per semester.

9. Is it possible to take private lessons at MIT?
Yes, via the Emerson program you may take private lessons with one of the excellent master teachers in the Boston area. The deadline for application is August 15. For Emerson program application details, email Priscilla Cobb, pcobb@mit.edu.

10.  What instruments, storage and practice facilities are available?
Instruments: We strongly encourage students to bring their own instruments to MIT. However, a small collection of MIT-owned wind, brass, and percussion instruments is available for rent to students in our performing ensembles.
Instrument lockers: Lockers are available on a first-come, first-served basis to students in our music performance ensembles. The instruments and lockers are signed-out by the Concerts Office. Call (617) 253-2826 to schedule an appointment or stop by the Concerts Office, 4-243.
Practice rooms: There is a suite of eight individual practice rooms located on the second floor of Building 4; they are available on a 24-hour basis to all students participating in music performance subjects, as well as to music majors.  In addition, there are six music department classrooms located in the basement and on the first and third floors of Building 4. Piano scholarship students and students in Chamber Music Society are granted access to these rooms for practice, when not in use for classes. All of the classrooms have grand pianos; one classroom also has a harpsichord. For access, go to the Music Office, 4-246

11.  Other than performance, what music subjects are offered?
Here is a partial list of subjects:  Fundamentals of Music, Introduction to Western Music, Introduction to World Music, Folk Music of the British Isles, Early Music, Vivaldi, Bach and Handel, Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, Schubert to Debussy, Modern Music, Music Since 1960, Opera, Symphony and Concerto, Musicals of Stage and Screen, Film Music, Music of India, Music of Africa, Harmony and Counterpoint, Writing in Tonal Forms, Music Analysis, Jazz Harmony and Arranging, Jazz Composition, Music Composition, Composing with Computers.

12.  If I have further questions, who do I contact?

Via email: mta-request@mit.edu or call the Music and Theater Arts Office at (617) 253-3210.

Back