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Emerson/Harris Program for Private Study

 


EMERSON/HARRIS PROGRAM FOR PRIVATE STUDY

The Emerson/Harris Program (E/HP) offers MIT students of outstanding achievement in classical, jazz, or non-western music traditions the opportunity to meaningfully participate in the musical life of MIT by taking private lessons, giving solo performances, and joining an MTA ensemble. Students accepted into E/HP receive partial or full financial assistance toward the cost of private lessons. Each academic year, the program awards Scholarships and Fellowships to nearly 70 students.

Auditions are held once a year, prior to the start of the Fall semester. Accepted students will consult with their advisor in determining a private instructor for the academic year. Our cohort of instructors consist of permanent MIT teaching staff as well as Affiliate Artists who teach throughout the Greater Boston area.

The Emerson/Harris Program began in 1997 with a major gift from Cherry L. Emerson, Jr. (SM ’41), a former member of the Council for the Arts at MIT, at the request of Ellen T. Harris, Class of 1949 Professor Emeritus and Associate Provost for the Arts (1989–1996).

 

QUICK LINKS:

AFFILIATED ARTISTS

SCHOLARS PROGRAM

FELLOWS PROGRAM

PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE OPTIONS

AUDITION INFORMATION:

 

PROGRAM OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

E/HP offers two programs: the Scholars program and the Fellows program.

In addition to the requirements below, all Scholars and Fellows are required to participate in and register separately for an MTA Performance Ensemble. (See “Performance Ensemble Options.”) Note that classical vocalists should participate in either 21M.401 Concert Choir or 21M.405 Chamber Chorus.

 

SCHOLARS PROGRAM

The E/HP Scholars program is open to all full-time MIT students. After a student has successfully paid for and completed 10 lessons in the Fall semester, MIT will match the cost of 10 lessons in the Spring semester (up to $1,200).

  • Classical Scholars perform in group recitals at the end of each semester.

  • Instrumental Jazz Scholars perform solo via their ensemble participation.

  • Vocal Jazz Scholars perform solo via their ensemble participation and/or via a group recital with the guidance/permission of Laura Grill Jaye. 

Scholars are required to register for Music Performance (21M.475 for undergraduates, 21M.511 for graduate students) for credit (6) or as a listener for both Fall and Spring semesters.

Each semester, Scholars are also required to attend or perform in ONE Emerson/Harris Masterclass Series.

Classical Vocalists are required to register for Vocal Repertoire & Performance (21M.410/515) for the Spring semester. Exceptions involve consultation with Vocal Advisor, Ryan Turner.

A limited number of recital slots are available to Scholars who wish to perform a full solo recital in the Spring. If a solo recital is granted, the student should register for Solo Recital (21M.490) in the Spring semester instead of Music Performance (21M.475/511).

  • Classical Scholars recital auditions will take place on November 21 at noon.

  • Jazz Scholars should schedule an audition with Fred Harris by November 1.

 

FELLOWS PROGRAM

The Fellows program is open to full-time MIT undergraduates who have already completed one year of private study as a Scholar, and all graduate students.

  • Classical Fellows will give a full solo recital in the Spring term.

  • Jazz Fellows will give one collective ensemble recital in the Fall semester and lead (as performer/arranger/composer) an ensemble recital in the Spring term.
    If a Jazz Fellow is interested in an additional recital opportunity they must audition with Miguel Zenon by the last day of classes of the Fall semester. 

All Fellows are required to register for Advanced Music Performance (21M.480 for undergraduates, 21M.512 for graduate students) for both Fall and Spring semesters (9+9). AMP is a performance class that meets once a week: Mondays 5-7pm (Classical) or Wednesdays 5-7pm (Jazz). 

 

PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE OPTIONS

 

Emerson/Harris Scholars and Fellows should participate in one of the following performance ensembles. Audition information for all ensembles can be found here.

  • 21M.401 Concert Choir

  • 21M.405 Chamber Chorus

  • 21M.421 Symphony Orchestra

  • 21M.426 Wind Ensemble

  • 21M.442 Festival Jazz Ensemble

  • 21M.443 Vocal Jazz Ensemble

  • 21M.445 Chamber Music Society or Jazz Combos

  • 21M.450 Balinese Gamelan

  • 21M.451 Collaborative Piano

  • 21M.460 Senegalese Drum Ensemble

 

AUDITION INFORMATION

  • Audition information to be released soon!