Individual Music Lessons

Instrument and voice lessons in classical music and jazz are available to students who are music majors, music minors, are enrolled in a performance ensemble or are committed to joining an ensemble following completion of the given semester.

Taking Individual Music Lessons

The purpose of the Individual Music Lessons is to provide training for qualified students who wish to develop their talent and more fully express themselves through musical performance in classical and jazz music. Students may enroll in Individual Music Lessons if they are music majors, music minors, or actively enrolled in one of our performance ensembles. Each student has to complete a graded jury at the end of each semester, and may also perform in recitals. Individal lessons require a free of $600 for lower division lessons and $650 for upper division lessons. The fee is waived for Music Majors and students eligible under the Music Department's Free Lesson Initiative. The music program provides accompanists for juries and one rehearsal; student must pay for additional times. Vocalists must pay additional accompanist fees as per request of instructor. All Individual Music Lessons require the approval of a full-time music faculty member. 300-level Individual Music Lessons are for performance emphasis music majors and advanced performers only.

Enroll in one of the following performance ensembles. If you are a Music major/minor, you may skip to Step 2.

Table Outlining Music Ensemble Options At USD
COURSE	NUMBER	INSTRUCTOR	MEETING TIME	ROOM
Concert Choir	Musc 153 or 353	Emilie Amrein, DMA	M 7 - 9 p.m.	C153
Choral Scholars*	Musc 152 or 352	Emilie Amrein, DMA	MTWTh 1:30 - 3:30 pm.	C153
Chamber Music	Musc 150 or 350	Angela Yeung, PhD	TBA	C144
Jazz Ensemble	Musc 155 or 355	Justin Grinnell, MM	W 7 - 9:50 p.m.	Shiley Theatre
Gamelan Ensemble	Musc 157 or 357	Tyler Yamin, MFA and Alex Khalil, PhD	M 7 - 9:50 p.m.	C153
Mariachi Ensemble	MUSC 158 or 358	Serafin Paredes	R 7-9:50 p.m.	C153
USD Bands	MUSC 156 or 356	Jeffrey Malecki, DMA	M/W 5:30 - 6:50 p.m.	Shiiley Theatre
USD Strings	MUSC 151 or 351	Angela Yeung, PhD	R 5:30 - 6:50 p.m.	Shiley Theatre

*Entry into the Choral Scholars is determined by a rigorous audition and screening process which is usually completed in the year before admittance to the ensemble.

2. Fill out the Applied Music Student Contact Information Sheet

Fill out the Applied Music Student Contact Information Sheet (PDF) and return it to Dr. Eric Derr, Applied Music Coordinator (Camino 141D, x2958), who will arrange an instructor and lesson time for you.

You may also pick up a hard copy from the Music Department office (Camino 161).

Once determining that you are eligible for lessons, Dr. Derr will enroll you by contacting the Registrar's Office directly

Minimum Requirements

For Voice: Students must have had some previous experience with performing as a singer, either with a choir or chorus, in a musical or private voice lessons. Students must be able to read music well enough to learn their vocal part on their own.

For Piano: Students must have had a few years of private instruction and must be able to read grand staff notation, hands together, at an elementary level. Students who have successfully completed Class Piano II (Music 205) may also enroll in private lessons with the consent of Kay Etheridge, DMA, the coordinator for the piano area.

For Guitar: Students must own their own instrument. They must also have experience with basic classical guitar technique, chord accompaniment and note reading in first position.

For Other Instruments: Students must be able to read music and own their own instrument and they must have a few years experience with their instrument

In lieu of private lessons, students might consider one of the following group instruction courses: