Music at Hamilton
Information for Private Lesson Instructors and Students
Guidelines for Private Lesson Instruction
In order to establish a uniform standard throughout the Department, the adjunct committee adopted the following Guidelines for Instruction in Applied Music, Solo Performance, and Advanced Solo Performance; these are followed by all studio instructors.
Specific pre- and co-requisites are included in the individual course descriptions. All private lesson courses have a concert attendance requirement, and Solo Performance and Advanced Solo Performance courses include in each semester the presentation of a public performance.
Evaluation
The instructor will make the evaluation in the course. Grades will be given at the end of each term. Evaluation will be based on the following:
Improvement in technique, musicianship, & performance.
Preparation of lesson material.
- The instructor will discuss with the student the repertoire to be covered during the semester.
- The study of any musical instrument requires consistent practice. Students are expected to practice 5 out of 7 days, with the minimum duration of practice being the length of the lesson. Because learning music is a cumulative process, each unprepared lesson will be treated as an unexcused absence.
Lesson attendance
Weekly attendance is required unless other arrangements are made. Two unexcused absences will result in a midterm warning being sent. Three unexcused absences will result in failure of the course.
- Students taking one-hour lessons will be required to attend five concerts in which the student is not performing, per semester, one of which must be the Student Concert.
- Students taking half-hour lessons will be required to attend three concerts in which the student is not performing, per semester, one of which must be the Student Concert.
- Only concerts specified by the department at the beginning of each semester count toward this requirement. Students are given a written list of these concerts at the time they sign up for lessons, and they receive e-mail reminders during the course of the semester. This list will also be posted on the Applied Music/Solo Performance Bulletin Board.
- Students may also be required to attend other master classes or performances at the discretion of the studio teacher.
- Failure to meet this requirement will result in grade reduction as follows:
- Each concert missed by a student who receives a letter grade will reduce the final grade by one “notch.” For example: a student who has a grade of B and misses one concert would receive a grade of B-. If that student misses three concerts, the grade would be reduced to C.
- The final grade of a student who misses the Student Concert will be reduced by one full letter. For example: a student who has a letter grade of B and misses the Student Concert would receive a grade of C.
- Faculty members will grade applied students the same way they grade those who receive a letter grade. If, after factoring in the per-concert-missed grade reduction, the grade is less than C-, then the student will receive an automatic U.
- A student who misses all the required concerts will automatically fail the course.
Effective use of the Music Library and Burke Library facilities.
Quality of performance(s) given during the semester.
Acceptance onto the Student Concert shall not be factored into a student’s final semester grade, since this concert is subject to balanced programming within time constraints, and not every student who auditions will be selected to perform.
Zoom Recorders
Three Zoom Handy H2n recorders are available in the Music Library for studio instructors to use to record their students in lessons. Faculty only may check these out at the reserve desk for up to three hours at a time. The user's manual is available on the provided link; scroll to the bottom of the page.
Scores, Required Materials & Photocopying Guidelines
As with any college course, students are expected to purchase any necessary materials for this course. Instructors can advise the student how best to do this.
The photocopying of copyrighted music (or copying by any other means) is not legal unless the copyright owner has granted permission, or unless the duplication meets the requirements for what has been legally defined as “fair use.” Examples of “fair use,” recognized by copyright law, include photocopying to avoid difficult page turns, and the photocopying of “study score” on which analytical marks are to be made. The doctrine of “fair use” does not include materials to be used for a performance, or for study that may lead to a performance. This is a particularly sensitive issue at an institution, such as a college, that is involved in the creation of intellectual property, since the protection of such property is the purpose of the copyright law.
Students who intend to audition for a public performance are expected to purchase the necessary musical scores and parts, or the use the materials that have already been purchased by either the College Library or by the Music Department. Student soloists must insure that their pianists are playing from purchased copies. A student who arrives at an audition with photocopied music, and who cannot demonstrate that the original has already been placed on order, shall be disqualified from the audition.
Student Staff Pianists
The Music Department’s student staff pianist program is dedicated to educating student pianists in the art of making music through accompanying, and providing studios with pianists for lessons. Student staff pianists have passed a yearly audition that recognizes their potential to become excellent collaborative partners. When working with these students, adjunct instructors should keep in mind the educational mission of the program as well as the academic demands placed on Hamilton College students. Music (in the correct key and arrangement) must be given to Sar Strong by the end of the fourth week of the semester. Once the music is submitted, no changes will be allowed. If an instructor is deciding between two pieces, both should be submitted. Adjunct instructors are also expected to give the student pianists expected tempos and to instruct them in the style and performance practice for the piece.
Student pianists are responsible for practicing the music provided to them so they are fully capable of performing it at the first lesson they attend. Student pianists should consult with Colleen Pellman about any technical issues they have with their assigned music.
If adjunct instructors believe that a student pianist must address technical issues, it is the adjunct instructor’s responsibility to notify Colleen Pellman as soon as possible—and provide specifics. Should circumstances arise in which a student pianist seems unprepared or underprepared to accompany, it is important that the adjunct instructor treat the student the way they would treat their own students. We don’t want student pianists quitting the program because an adjunct instructor has been rude or demeaning. There are polite ways to point out that the pianist needs to work more on the music to be ready for the next lesson.
Please also refer to additional information under Staff Pianists.
Other Information
Individual instructors may expect the student to fulfill additional requirements.
From time to time faculty observers may be present at an instructional session. Advance notice will be given when this is to occur.