EMERSON/HARRIS PROGRAM FOR PRIVATE STUDY

Private musical study is available for students through the Emerson/Harris Program, which offers merit-based financial awards to students of outstanding achievement on their instruments or voice in classical, jazz, or world music. Each academic year, the Emerson/Harris Program (E/HP) awards Scholarships and Fellowships to nearly fifty students who commit to a full year’s study and participate in the musical life of MIT.

Auditions for the E/HP Scholars and Fellows programs are held at the beginning of each academic year. Private teacher selections, made in consultation with the Emerson/Harris jury heads, may include instructors from MIT staff and throughout Greater Boston.

The Emerson/Harris Program is funded by the late Mr. Cherry L. Emerson, Jr. (SM, 1941), in response to an appeal from Associate Provost Ellen T. Harris (Class of 1949 Professor Emeritus of Music).

FALL EMERSON/HARRIS GROUP RECITALS SCHEDULE

 

QUICK LINKS:

SCHOLARS PROGRAM
FELLOWS PROGRAM
EMERSON/HARRIS MASTER CLASSES
PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE OPTIONS
AUDITION INFORMATION:

 

SCHOLARS PROGRAM

  • IMPORTANT! There is a REQUIRED in-person info session on Tuesday September 5th, 2023 at 4:00pm in Killian Hall for ALL new and returning students auditioning for the E/HP Scholarship.

  • Eligibility: The E/HP Scholarship is open to all enrolled MIT students. MTA will match the cost of 10, one-hour lessons in the Spring semester (up to $1,200, or a prior approved rate for AY23-24), after a student has successfully paid for and completed 10 lessons in the Fall semester. Lessons prepare students for their performances in group recitals at the end of each semester. 

  • Scholars should register for Music Performance 21M.475/511 on a for-credit (6+6) or Listener basis in both the Fall and Spring semesters.

  • Each semester, Scholars should attend ONE sponsored event, such as masterclasses, workshops, or other classes listed on the Emerson/Harris Performance Masterclass Series.

  • Scholars are required to participate in an MTA Performance Ensemble, in consultation with their E/HP jury head. (See “Performance Ensemble Options”).

  • Classical Vocalists should consult with the Vocal Advisor, Ryan Turner, about registering for Vocal Repertoire & Performance (21M.410/515).

Scholar’s Solo Recital Option

Auditions will be held at the end of the Fall semester for Scholars who wish to perform a full solo recital in the Spring semester. Scholars must receive endorsement from their private instructor. If approved, the student must register for Emerson Scholar Solo Recital 21M.490 (9 credits, or as a Listener) in the Spring semester in place of 21M.475/511.

 

FELLOWS PROGRAM

  • IMPORTANT! There is a REQUIRED in-person info session on Tuesday September 5th, 2023 at 4:00pm in Killian Hall for ALL new and returning students auditioning for the E/HP Fellowship.

  • Eligibility: Open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students, the E/HP Fellowship funds two semesters of 10, one-hour lessons.

  • Undergraduate applicants must have completed a full year of private study as a Scholar, and if accepted as a Fellow, are required to continue studying with the same instructor.

  • Fellows are required to register for Advanced Music Performance, 21M.480/512 (9+9 credit load), in preparation for their full solo recitals in the Spring semester. This class meets two hours weekly: Mondays 5-7 (Classical) or Wednesdays 5-7pm (Jazz).

Fellows are required to participate in an MTA Performance Ensemble, in consultation with their E/HP jury head. (See “Performance Ensemble Options”).

 

EMERSON/HARRIS MASTER CLASSES

All classes in Killian Hall, unless otherwise noted

 

PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE OPTIONS

Emerson/Harris Scholars and Fellows should choose from the following Performance subjects:

 

Audition Information for All Ensembles

 

EMERSON/HARRIS PROGRAM AUDITION INFORMATION

  • IMPORTANT! There will be a required in-person info session about the Emerson/Harris Program for all students auditioning at the Scholarship level on Registration Day (Tuesday, September 5, 2023) at 4pm in Killian Hall.

  • The application submission deadline for the Emerson/Harris Program is Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 11:59pm. Please indicate on the form whether you wish to audition for the Scholarship, Fellowship, or both.

  • Applications received after the deadline may be added to a waitlist. To inquire about being added to the waitlist, email Yamiley Dangerville ydville9@mit.edu. If we are able to accommodate your request, you will be contacted prior to the audition date with an appointment.

  • Students wishing to audition on more than one instrument/voice must submit separate forms for each audition. You may audition for and be awarded more than one offer, but the faculty will determine if acceptance of more than one is appropriate.

 

Classical Strings

Advisors: Marcus Thompson (bratsche@mit.edu); Natalie Lin Douglas (lindoug@mit.edu) 

  • Auditions will be held in Killian Hall on Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 1:30-8:30pm

    • Note: You will be assigned a specific audition time after all applications have been received.

  • Applicants (including returning E/HP participants) must prepare two pieces of contrasting styles and periods, totaling 15 minutes, that show the full range of their ability. Memorization is not required. No accompanist will be provided and none is required.

  • Applicants will also be asked to perform a prepared excerpt that will be provided the day before the audition. 

  • Students auditioning for the Fellowship should propose a program of repertoire that they would perform for their solo recital. Bring a printed copy of your proposed recital program with your name, year, full titles and timings. 

Auditions are now closed

 

Classical Piano

Advisor: Mi-Eun Kim (mieunkim@mit.edu)

  • Auditions will be held in Killian Hall on Sunday, September 10, 2023 from 9am-4pm.

    • Note: You will be assigned a specific audition time after all applications have been received.

  • Applicants (including returning E/HP participants) must prepare two pieces of contrasting styles and periods, totaling 15 minutes, that show the full range of their ability. Memorization is not required.

  • Applicants will also be asked to perform a prepared excerpt that will be provided the day before the audition. 

  • Students auditioning for the Fellowship should propose a program of repertoire that they would perform for their solo recital. Bring a printed copy of your proposed recital program with your name, year, full titles and timings. 

Auditions are now closed

 

Classical Winds

Advisor: Jean Rife (jeanrife@mit.edu)​

  • Auditions will be held in Killian Hall on Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 10am-12:30pm.

    • Note: You will be assigned a specific audition time after all applications have been received.

  • Applicants (including returning E/HP participants) must prepare two pieces of contrasting styles and periods, totaling 15 minutes, that show the full range of their ability. Memorization is not required. No accompanist will be provided and none is required.

  • Applicants will also be asked to perform a prepared excerpt that will be provided the day before the audition. 

  • Students auditioning for the Fellowship should propose a program of repertoire that they would perform for their solo recital.  Bring a printed copy of your proposed recital program with your name, year, full titles and timings. 

Auditions are now closed

 

Classical Voice

Advisor: Ryan Turner (rlturner@mit.edu)

  • Auditions will be held in room  4-364 on Friday, September 8, 2023 from 4:15-7pm.

    • Note: You will be assigned a specific audition time after all applications have been received.

  • Applicants must prepare three memorized art songs of different styles with accompaniment, and at least one of which should be in English. A pianist will be provided.

  • Applicants must provide two-sided, printed copies of all music in a binder for the pianist.

  • Fellowship applicants will also be given a short sight-reading excerpt.

  • Students auditioning for the Fellowship should propose a program of repertoire that they would perform for their solo recital.  Bring a printed copy of your proposed recital program with your name, year, full titles and timings. 

Auditions are now closed

​​​

Jazz Instrumental

Advisor: Frederick Harris (fharris@mit.edu)

  • Auditions will be held in Kresge Auditorium (stage) on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 from 2-5pm.
    • Note: You will be assigned a specific audition time after all applications have been received.
  • Audition requirements are listed here
  • Applicants will also be expected to demonstrate their improvisation skills. Improvisation is optional for non-Emerson/Harris jazz auditions but expected for Emerson/Harris jazz auditions. 
  • This audition will also count as your audition for the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble or Jazz Combos.

Register here for an audition slot

 

Jazz Voice

Advisor: Frederick Harris (fharris@mit.edu)

  • Auditions will be held in Kresge Auditorium (stage) on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 from 2-6pm.
    • Note: You will be assigned a specific audition time after all applications have been received.
  • Jazz vocalists should prepare three songs in the following styles: ballad, medium swing, Latin or straight feel. At least two of the songs should be jazz standards. Improvisation on one of the songs or on a simple blues form is required. 
  • Your E/HP Jazz vocal audition and MIT Vocal Jazz Ensemble audition are separate. You must audition for each of them separately if you intend to participate in both.

Register here for an audition slot

 

Percussion

Advisor: Frederick Harris (fharris@mit.edu)

  • Percussionists’ ensemble audition will also count as their audition to the Emerson/Harris Program. Please email Jacob Means (jmeans@mit.edu) after signing up for your ensemble audition to state your interest in being considered for the Emerson/Harris Program.
  • Percussionists must audition on at least two of the three major percussion instruments (timpani, mallet instruments, snare drum).
  • Timpani auditions will include basic tuning, snare drum auditions will include basic rudiments, and mallet auditions will include scales. The two etudes or solo compositions performed should each have contrasting styles represented.  Sight-reading on two instruments will be required.
  • Drum-set performers should prepare two pieces in contrasting styles, sight-reading of basic swing and Latin/funk charts and performance of four/eight bars of time followed by four/eight bars of soloing in both swing and funk/Latin styles at a medium tempo will also be required.

 

Non-western Instrumental/Vocal

Students experienced in non-western music traditions may also audition and receive support for private lessons under the Emerson/Harris Program. For questions regarding this, please email Yamiley Dangerville (ydville9@mit.edu).

Auditions are now closed