Private Lessons Program

The Music Department Private Lessons Program is a directed program of study that includes courses for private instruction, large and small music ensembles, and piano accompaniment. 

Lessons offered as courses are fully funded by the department for students who meet the elegibility criteria (see elegibility below). Eligible students, both continuing and those applying for the first time, must submit an ONLINE APPLICATION by the first Friday of that term.

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.

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 are concurrently enrolled in an ensemble that semester.

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Music 168A: Instrumental 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...

Music 168B: Vocal Performance

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
...

Music 168C: Piano/Fortepiano (Keyboard) Performance

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...

Music 168CS: Piano/Fortepiano Performance Studio

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.

Music 168D: Various Musical Practices Performance

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...

Music 168E: Jazz Performance

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:...

Music 168G: Guitar Performance

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...

Music 168H: Early Music Performance

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: David Miller
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:...

Music 168I: Organ Performance

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. Open to Music minors and non-majors who are members of approved ensembles.

For course descriptions, visit the Berkeley Academic Guide and search for the appropriate course number.

For music major students, Music 167 series courses do not satisfy the Performance Ensemble Requirement; no exception.

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Music 167A: Orchestral Instrumental Performance

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.

Music 167B: Vocal Performance

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.

Music 167C: Keyboard Performance

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...

Music 167H: Early Music Performance

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.

Music 167I: Organ Performance

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

Students who are funded for 6 lessons or less do not need to perform a jury UNLESS they hope to obtain funding for more than 6 lessons the next semester.

Juries are held at the end of each semester for students taking Music 167/168 whether or not they plan on continuing with lessons the following semester. Before the juries, students and their teachers must complete a form describing their goals and repertoire for the semester. Students need to complete their side of the form first and then give it to their teacher. After completing their side of the form, teachers should return the completed forms to their students in a sealed envelope, signed across the closure.

The sealed envelope must be turned into the Music Department office by the Friday before that semester’s jury or brought to the jury. Students who fail to return the completed form by the due date will not be permitted to take their jury.

Jury Guidelines

Vocal Students: Over the course of their studies, we expect that student singers will work on a variety of pieces from the art song, opera, and oratorio repertoire in English, Italian, French and German. For their ten-minute jury, students should be prepared to sing two or three pieces in contrasting styles and in at least two languages. Singers are expected to perform their pieces from memory with full comprehension of the text they are singing.

Instrumental (including Keyboard) Students: Over the course of their studies, students should prepare representative pieces spanning all relevant time periods and a variety of styles and genres. Accordingly, for their eight- to ten-minute jury, students should prepare one of the following three options:

  • Two contrasting pieces from contrasting stylistic periods; or
  • Two contrasting movements or sections from a single large piece; or
  • A single piece at the discretion of their teacher (on a one-time basis only), in the event that the student has undertaken focused work which demonstrates specific accomplishment (for example, the composition or improvisation of an original cadenza; an etude chosen to address a technical problem, etc.)