Emerson Music Performance Program for Private Lesson Study

MIT Emerson Music Performance Program for Private Lesson Study

Introduction

The MIT Music Department Faculty offers approximately fifty scholarships and fellowships annually for private lesson study to MIT students based on competitive auditions that are held once a year at the beginning of the fall term. The Emerson Music Performance program is funded largely by a generous donation from Mr. Cherry L. Emerson (SM, 1941) who was a strong supporter of the arts at MIT. The program is intended to assure the continued growth of the individual and to encourage participation in the MIT musical community of the most accomplished student musicians. Scholarship and fellowship offers are made to those whose skill and potential are recognized at the time of the audition.

The choice of teacher (in consultation with a member of the jury) may range beyond those who come to MIT. They have included some who work at home, at the New England Conservatory of Music, Berklee College of Music, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

(Those who are beginners, or who are not offered an award, may obtain information about additional opportunities for private study at Music Headquarters in Building 4, Room 246.)

Options

Emerson Music Scholarship

To be eligible for an offer of an Emerson Scholarship one must be a full-time registered MIT student, pass the audition, and make a commitment to a full-year of practice and study based on a schedule of ten one-hour lessons each semester. Students bear the cost of lessons during the fall semester for which full advance payment must be made through the Music Headquarters (4-246). Scholarships are paid directly to the instructors by the department during the spring semester, matching the fall payments up to $700. A Student whose instructor’s rate exceeds the current maximum should expect to pay the difference directly to the instructor in the spring term.

Students who accept the offer of an Emerson Scholarship must perform in at least one of the departmental music performance groups, and give a public solo performance in a masterclass or recital each semester. Voice students are required to participate in the subject Vocal Repertoire and Performance on a credit or non-credit basis. This class meets in the spring. See course description (21M.410) for more details.

Emerson Music Fellowship

To be eligible for an offer of an Emerson Fellowship one must be a full-time registered MIT student. An undergraduate must have been a recipient of the Emerson Music Scholarship in the prior year. A graduate student may apply in the first year of graduate study. Students admitted to the Fellowship commit to a full-year of practice and study and must enroll in 21M.480/21M.512 (Advanced Music Performance) for regular masterclasses with members of the music faculty.

Emerson fellows are members of at least one departmental ensemble, and present a public solo recital during the second semester. Vocal fellows may opt to take the second semester in Vocal Repertoire and Performance in lieu of the AMP seminar. The recital requirement remains.

Performance Responsibilities

Beyond the commitment to study and practice, Emerson Scholars are required to participate each term on a credit or non-credit basis in a departmental music group. They include Concert Choir (21M.401), MIT Symphony Orchestra (21M.421), Festival Jazz Ensemble (21M.442), Chamber Chorus (21M.405), Chamber Music Society (21M.445), Vocal Repertoire & Performance (21M.410/21M.515), Wind Ensemble (21M.426), and Piano Accompanying (21M.451). Emerson fellows must enroll in 21M.480/21M.512 for credit each term.

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