USF Music Program
Lessons and Practice Rooms FAQ's

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Below are answers to the most common questions asked about music at USF including questions about taking private lessons, participating in a performance ensemble, fulfilling Music Minor requirements, and spaces on campus where students can rehearse or use pianos.

If you don't find your question answered here, contact Florian Conzetti (fconzetti@usfca.edu) x4367 or Francesca Rivera (fmrivera@usfca.edu) x4368

TAKING PRIVATE LESSONS
Who can take lessons?  Am I eligible to take private lessons?
What private instruction/lessons are offered here at USF?
What if I want to take lessons for an instrument that is not offered at USF?
How much do lessons cost?
I tried to enroll in private lessons but the system wouldn't allow me to register.
Can I take lessons without becoming a music minor or joining a performance ensemble?
Can I take lessons for one unit?
What if I already have an instructor who is not on staff at USF?
Can USF waive the unit charge if I pay for my own lessons?

PARTICIPATING IN ENSEMBLES AND STUDENT SHOWCASES

Can I participate in more than one performance ensemble?
I'm acting in a play this semester, and I want to sing in a choir but both have called rehearsals for the same time slot.  Can I still sing with a choir?
I'm a performer. Can I be part of the Music Student Showcase this semester?
Do I have to be part of the Student Showcase if I am taking lessons?

TRANSFERRING CREDITS FROM OTHER COLLEGES/DEPARTMENTS
Can classes outside your department count towards the Music Minor?
I'm a transfer student. Can I opt out of Music Minor classes?
Do I have to take Music 201-Musicianship if I already know how to read music?

PRACTICE ROOMS
Are there rooms with pianos to practice on campus?


Who can take lessons?  Am I eligible to take private lessons?

Lessons can be taken by two types of students:

1-declared music minors who have taken (or are currently taking) Music 201--Musicianship and Principles of Tonal Theory

2-members of a USF performance ensemble who are enrolled in the ensemble for course credit

 

What individual private instruction/lessons are offered here at USF?

Currently we offer lessons in voice, guitar, piano, violin, viola, piccolo, flute, clarinet, and oboe.

 

What if I want to take lessons for an instrument that is not currently offered here at USF?

Students may study privately off-campus with non-staff members at their own cost. To get USF credit for off-campus private lessons, students would have to register separately for independent study credits (but you would need to pay for both the instructor of the lessons AND the extra USF units if the independent study brings you over 18 units).

 

How much do lessons cost?

Lessons taught by USF faculty are FREE to declared music minors or currently-registered members of a USF performance ensemble.

 

I'm currently enrolled in MUS 201-Musicianship and Principles of Tonal Theory, and I tried to enroll in one of your private lessons but the system wouldn't allow me to register.  What do I do?

Fill out an Add-Drop form and bring it one of the Music Program Coordinators (Florian Conzetti or Francesca Rivera) to sign.  Our office is in Lone Mountain Trailer.

 



What if I am an accomplished musician? Can't I just take lessons without becoming a Music Minor or joining a performance ensemble?

Unfortunately, to take lessons through our department, you need to either be a declared minor who has taken (or is taking) Music 201--Musicianship and Principles of Tonal Theory, or be enrolled in a performance ensemble this semester.

 

Can I take lessons for one unit?

No, these are private individual lessons and their cost demands that lessons be taken for the full two units.

 

What if I already have an instructor I love here in the SF Bay Area who is not on staff at USF? Do I have to study with one of your instructors?

You can do two things:
1) you can continue taking your lessons with your instructor and not get credit for it.
2) register separately for independent study credits (but you would need to pay for both the instructor of the lessons AND the extra USF units if the independent study brings you over 18 units).
Consult with one of the co-coordinators of the music program (Florian Conzetti or Francesca Rivera) about arranging an independent study.

 



Is there any way to have USF waive the unit charge if I pay for my own lessons?

Even though it may not seem fair to pay twice, you will have to pay for both the USF credit you receive AND the private instructor's fees by electing not to use any of the instructors the university offers. It is your choice and you have to pay your instructor yourself, as well as your USF tuition commensurate with the credit you are getting.

 



Can I participate in more than one performance ensemble during the same semester?

Yes, as long as the rehearsal times of the two ensembles do not conflict. (e.g. you can be in the Gospel Choir and the USF University Choir in the same semester, because the Gospel Choir rehearses on Monday afternoons, and the University Choir rehearses Tue to Thur during the lunch hour).


 

I'm acting in a play this semester, and I want to sing in a choir but both have called rehearsals for the same time slot. Can I still sing with a choir?

Unfortunately, participating in the weekly rehearsals is a mandatory component of any performing arts ensemble here at USF. If you have two performance groups that you want to be part of and they meet at the same time, you have to choose one.

 

I'm a performer. Can I be part of the Music Student Showcase this semester?

The Student Showcase is open to any student who is part of the Music Program. Anyone enrolled in private lessons will automatically be considered during the mid-term-performance review (this semester: scheduled for October 27, 2007) which is mandatory for all students taking private lessons this semester. If you are currently part of the Music Program but are not enrolled to take private lessons in an instrument or voice for credit this semester, you can sign up for an audition slot during the mid-term performance review.  Contact Florian Conzetti (fconzetti@usfca.edu ) for more information. Please note that preference for performance slots will be given to people enrolled in lessons this semester.


 

Do I have to be part of the Student Showcase if I am taking lessons?

Attendance at the Showcase is mandatory for anyone enrolled in private lessons this semester.  You don't have to perform in the Showcase, but you do have to be there, and may be asked to help with technical aspects of the show (e.g., being an usher)


 

Are there any classes offered outside your department that I can apply towards the Music Minor?

Sometimes other USF departments (like Communication and Media Studies) will offer a class about music, and these maybe considered to count as fulfilling one of the Music Minor electives.  We would need to review the class syllabus to ensure that you are studying the equivalent of a course that would be offered in our department. Contact Francesca Rivera (fmrivera@usfca.edu) for eligibility information.


 

I'm a transfer student.  I already took some of the courses you say are required to fulfill the Music Minor requirements.  Can I opt out of Music Minor classes if my music credits transferred?

Probably - especially if you've already taken a musicianship or music theory class. Contact one of the music program co-coordinators (Florian Conzetti or Francesca Rivera) to confirm the eligibility of your class(es).


 

Do I have to take Music 201-Musicianship and Principles of Tonal Theory class if:
- I already know how to read music?
- I'm an accomplished performer?
- I took a music theory class somewhere other than USF?

Our musicianship classes cover more than just learning to read music in Western notation there is also Tonal Theory and Ear-Training/Sight-Singing.  If you believe that you already possess the requisite musicianship skills, you can take a placement test during the first week of classes, to see if you can place out of the whole class or of portions of the class for this semester.  Contact musicianship professor Florian Conzetti (fconzetti@usfca.edu ) to arrange for a placement test.



 

Where are there rooms with pianos to practice on campus?

NOTE: this list is maintained to the best of our knowledge, please help us update it.

Rooms with pianos:

  • classroomLM152 (can only be used when there are no classes)

  • classroomED307 (can only be used when there are no classes)

  • UC third floor practice room (key can be obtained at the front desk)

  • McLaren in the big conference room

  • Parina lounge of UC

  • Lone Mountain Residence Hall practice room

  • lounges of Gillson residence hall and Xavier/Fromm residence hall (the one in Hayes Healy is being replaced and it is in the space where currently classes are taking place during the day, due to space needs on campus).