The Music Department Private Lessons Program is a directed program of study that includes opportunities for private instruction, large and small music ensembles, and piano accompaniment. Private instruction is funded by the music department. The student’s program will be worked out in consultation with the supervising faculty, who will assist students in finding an appropriate private instructor.
Courses in the private lessons program are offered at two levels. Lessons offered as part of these courses are fully funded by the department. Students who do not meet the eligibility criteria or prerequisites of these courses can contact the private instructors directly to pay for lessons out of pocket.
All students, both those continuing in the private lessons program and those applying for the first time, must submit an ONLINE APPLICATION by the first Friday of instruction.
Music 168 Series
1-3 units. Repeatable for credit. Only one course allowed per semester.
Restricted to declared Music majors and intended Music majors who complete the three steps listed below.
Intended Music majors must complete the following three steps by the second Wednesday of instruction to be eligible for private lessons:
- Review Music major requirements.
- Submit the Music Major Application.
- Schedule a meeting with the Undergraduate Major Advisor to review your program plan and declare the major.
Refer to major declaration requirements here.
For course descriptions, visit the Berkeley Academic Guide and search for the appropriate course number.
- 168A Instrumental Performance
- 168B Vocal Performance
- 168C Keyboard Performance
- 168D Various Musical Practices Performance
- 168E Jazz Performance
- 168G Guitar Performance
- 168H Early Music Performance
- 168I Organ Performance
For experienced performers of orchestral instruments. A directed program of study including participation in the UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra or University Wind Ensemble, in workshops, and in special projects. Includes private instruction and/or coaching, individually or in groups.The student’s program will be worked out in consultation with the faculty in charge of the course. Each student’s studies will lead to some kind of public performance.
Director: David Milnes
Units: 3
Associated Performance Ensemble: UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra (Music 141) OR Wind Ensemble (Music 142)
Satisfies Performance Ensemble Requirement?: Yes Note: The unit value of the course includes credit for participation in the associated performance ensemble. Student enrolled in Music 168A must drop Music 141 or 142.
For experienced vocalists. A comprehensive program of vocal studies including participation in University Chorus, Gospel Choir, or University Chamber Chorus, a weekly workshop (topic varies each semester), vocal technique training, and ensemble work with other instrumentalists or vocalists. The student’s program will be worked out in consultation with the faculty in charge of the course. Each student’s studies will lead to some kind of public performance.
Directors: Nikolas Nackley, coordinator; Wei Cheng, supervisor
Units: 3
Associated Performance Ensemble: Gospel Choir (Music 143) OR University Chorus (Music 144) OR Chamber Chorus (Music 145)
Satisfies Performance Ensemble Requirement?: Yes
Note: The unit value of the course includes credit for participation in the associated performance ensemble. Students enrolled in Music 168B must drop 143, 144, or 145.
The program will focus on the study of solo repertoire. The student’s program will be worked out in consultation with the faculty in charge of the course. Each student’s studies will lead to some kind of public performance.
Directors: Sharon Lee Kim, coordinator
Units: 2
Associated Performance Ensemble: None
Satisfies Performance Ensemble Requirement?: No; no exception.
Note: Changes include the introduction of two weekly one-hour sections (Music 168CS and Music 168CE). Both Music 168CS and Music 168CE are repeatable for credit. Students are encouraged to repeat these courses. Students can enroll in Music 168CS and Music 168CE concurrently.
Music 168CS: Piano/Fortepiano Performance Studio
1 unit. A studio with masterclasses and keyboard techniques. Students in the Keyboard Performance program are expected to take Music 168CS within the first year of taking Music 168C.
Music 168CE: Piano/Fortepiano Ensemble Studio
1 unit. A studio for ensemble work with either another keyboardist, vocalist, or instrumentalist. Students in the Keyboard Performance program are expected to take Music 168CE by the end of the second year of taking Music 168C. Music 168CE does not satisfy the Performance Ensemble Requirement of the major; no exceptions.
1 unit. A studio with masterclasses and keyboard techniques. Students in the Keyboard Performance program are encouraged to take Music 168CS within the first year of taking Music 168C.
Intermediate or advanced instruction in musical practices not encompassed in 168A-168B-168C, within the context of a directed academic program of studies. Students must have experience on the instrument or have studied it in the Music 130 series courses. The student’s program will be worked out in consultation with the faculty in charge of the course. Each student’s studies will lead to some kind of public performance.
Director: Lester Hu
Units: Variable; 2-3
Associated Performance Ensemble: By consultation with faculty director. Javanese Gamelan (Music 140) OR African Music Ensemble (Music 148) if approved.
Satisfies Performance Ensemble Requirement: Yes, only if students are allotted 3 units
Note: The unit allotment of Music 168D is dependent upon ensemble participation.
- 2 units: does not fulfill performance requirement.
- 3 units: includes participation in Music 140 (Javanese Gamelan) or Music 148 (African Music Ensemble); fulfills performance ensemble requirement. Students enrolled in Music 168D for 3 units must drop 140 or 148.
Intermediate or advanced instruction in the performance of jazz and improvisation. A directed program of study including participation in department-sponsored or UC Jazz ensembles, workshops, and special projects where applicable. Will include instruction and/or coaching, individually or in groups. Each student’s studies will lead to some kind of public performance. The student’s program will be worked out in consultation with the faculty in charge of the course. Units range from 2 to 3, depending on ensemble participation.
Director: Myra Melford
Units: Variable; 2-3
Associated Performance Ensemble: By consultation with faculty director. Improvisation in the Jazz Tradition (Music 116), Jazz and Improvisation Performance Workshop (Music 164), Berkeley Nu Jazz Collective (Music 165) OR UC Jazz Ensembles (not an academic course).
Satisfies Performance Ensemble Requirement?: Yes, only if students are allotted 3 units
Note: The unit allotment of Music 168E is dependent upon ensemble participation.
- 2 units: No ensemble; does not fulfill Performance Ensemble Requirement.*
- 3 units: Includes participation in ensemble work approved by the director (UC Jazz Ensembles).
*It is possible for students to be allotted 2 units of Music 168E and placed in the Jazz Improv Performance Workshop (Music 164) or the Berkeley Nu Jazz Collective (Music 165). Students placed into one of these ensembles should enroll in the respective course in addition to Music 168E. Separate enrollment in Music 164 or 165 will satisfy Performance Ensemble Requirement. It is also possible for students to be allotted 2 units of Music 168E without ensemble work.
The program will include ensemble work in addition to the study of solo repertoire. The student’s program will be worked out in consultation with the faculty in charge of the course. Each student’s studies will lead to some kind of public performance.
Director: Michael Goldberg, coordinator
Units: 2
Associated Performance Ensemble: None; the guitar ensemble is embedded in the 168G course.
Satisfies Performance Requirement?: Yes, only if approved by faculty director.
Note: Music 168G only fulfills the Performance requirement if there are enough students enrolled in Music 168G to form an ensemble and there is ensemble work in a given semester. Whether the course fulfills the Performance Ensemble Requirement is at the discretion of the director. Student should verify with the faculty director in the beginning of the semester.
The program will include ensemble work in addition to the study of solo repertoire. The student’s program will be worked out in consultation with the faculty in charge of the course. Each student’s studies will lead to some kind of public performance.
Director: Christine Brandes
Units: variable; 2-3
Associated Performance Ensemble: By consultation with faculty director; Baroque Ensemble (Music 149) if approved.
Satisfies Performance Requirement?: Yes, only if students are allotted 3 units
Note: The unit allotment of Music 168H is dependent upon ensemble participation.
- 2 units: does not fulfills performance requirement.
- 3 units: includes participation in Music 149 (Baroque Ensemble); fulfills performance requirement. Students enrolled in Music 168H for 3 units must drop 149.
The program focuses on the study of solo repertoire. The student’s program will be worked out in consultation with the faculty in charge of the course. Each student’s studies will lead to some kind of public performance.
Director: George Emblom, coordinator; David Milnes, supervisor
Units: 2
Associated Performance Ensemble: none
Satisfies Performance Requirement?: No; no exception.
Music 167 Series
1 unit. Repeatable for credit.
For course descriptions, visit the Berkeley Academic Guide and search for the appropriate course number.
- 167A Instrumental Performance
- 167B Vocal Performance
- 167C Keyboard Performance
- 167H Early Music Performance
- 167I Organ Performance
Music 167 series courses, except Music 167C and Music 167I, are open to non-music major students who are members of the course’s associated ensemble, and students receive private lessons funded by the respective ensemble. Music 167C is restricted to intermediate-level music majors who need additional training to place into Music 168C. Music 167I is funded by the Organ Fund and is open to non-music major students who study organ performance.
For music major students, Music 167 series courses do not satisfy the Performance Ensemble Requirement; no exception.
Director: David Milnes
Unit: 1
Associated Performance Ensemble: UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra (Music 141)
Eligible Applicant: Members of the UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra
Note: Students who are enrolled in Music 167A should also be enrolled in Music 141.
Director: Nikolas Nackley, coordinator, Wei Cheng, supervisor
Unit: 1
Associated Performance Ensemble: University Chorus (Music 144) OR University Chamber Chorus (Music 145)
Eligible Applicant: Members of the University Chorus or University Chamber Chorus
Note: Students who are enrolled in Music 167B should also be enrolled in Music 144 or 145, depending which ensemble they are in.
Director: Sharon Lee Kim, coordinator
Unit: 1
Associated Performance Ensemble: None
Eligible Applicant: Music majors who are intermediate-level pianists and need additional training to place into Music 168C (students should apply and audition for Music 168C).
Note: Students cannot be enrolled in Music 167C and 168C concurrently. Generally, there is a one year limit of Music 167C enrollment as students are expected to advance to Music 168C within this time frame.
Director: Christine Brandes, coordinator; David Milnes, supervisor
Unit: 1
Associated Performance Ensemble: Baroque Ensemble (Music 149)
Eligible Applicant: Members of the University Baroque Ensemble
Note: Students who are enrolled in Music 167H should also be enrolled in Music 149.
Director: David Milnes
Unit: 1
Associated Performance Ensemble: None
Eligible Applicant: By approval of faculty supervisor
Note: Interested students should contact David Milnes, faculty supervisor, and George Emblom, instructor, at organlessons@berkeley.edu to audition.
Audition Information
Audition is required for all sections of Music 167 and 168 courses. See here for audition information. Refer to the corresponding performance ensemble. Except for the Keyboard Performance programs (Music 167C and 168C) and the Organ Performance programs (Music 167I and 168I), the audition for the ensemble also functions as the audition for the private lessons program. Additional auditions may be required for Music 168B. Students must pass the audition and be a member of the ensemble in order to be eligible for consideration for private instruction.
Application and Enrollment
All students, both those continuing in the private lessons program and those applying for the first time, must submit an online application (to be available on Wednesday, 16 August) by the first Friday of instruction.
You will be notified of acceptance into the program via an email from the department office. Upon acceptance, students must make appropriate schedule changes on CalCentral within 24 hours and follow instructions provided in the email to accept the financial agreement by the stated deadline. Students are responsible for abiding by all campus deadlines.
Individual Program
Supervising faculty will work out individual programs with students at the beginning of the semester. Upon receipt of the confirmation email from the Music office, students should contact their teachers immediately to schedule lessons. Students may contact the faculty supervisor for assistance with selecting an appropriate private instructor. Students submit a report of activities under the program at the end of each semester, including their participation in any workshops or performances throughout the semester.
Grading
Final grade will be assigned based on the student’s level of participation in ensembles, progress and improvement as demonstrated by performances, and reports by ensemble directors and teachers with whom the student has studied.
Juries
See the jury page.