Emerson/Harris Program for Private Study

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 Scholarship and Fellowship 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:

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
EMERSON/HARRIS MASTER CLASSES
PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE OPTIONS
AUDITION INFORMATION:

Classical Strings
Classical Piano
Classical Winds
Classical Voice
Jazz Instrumental
Jazz Voice
Percussion
Non-Western Instrumental/Vocal

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

IMPORTANT! There is a REQUIRED in-person info session on Tuesday September 6th at 4pm in Killian Hall for ALL new and returning students auditioning for the E/HP Scholarship.
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 AY22-23), after a student as 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.
**NEW IN AY2022-23** 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 TWO events, such as masterclasses, workshops, or other classes, offered through the Emerson/Harris Performance Masterclass Series.
Scholars must participate in an MTA Performance Ensemble. (See “Performance Ensemble Options”).
Classical Vocalists should consult with the Vocal Advisor, Kerry Deal, 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 will register for Emerson Scholar Solo Recital 21M.490 (9 credits, or as a listener) in the Spring semester in place of 21M.475/511.

FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students, the Emerson/Harris Fellowship funds two semesters of 10, one-hour lessons.
Fellows perform a full solo recital in the Spring semester.
Fellows are required to register for Advanced Music Performance, 21M.480/512 (9+9 credit load), in preparation for their solo recitals. This class meets two hours weekly: Mondays 5-7 (Classical) or Wednesdays 5-7pm (Jazz).
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 must also participate in an MIT Performance Ensemble subject on a for-credit, listener, or non-credit basis (see “Performance Ensemble Options”).

EMERSON/HARRIS MASTER CLASSES

View the Master Class Schedule

All classes in Killian Hall, unless otherwise noted

PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE OPTIONS

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

21M.401 Concert Choir
21M.405 Chamber Chorus
21M.421 Symphony Orchestra
21M.426 Wind Ensemble
21M.442 Festival Jazz Ensemble
21M.445 Chamber Music Society, Jazz Combos, or Vocal Jazz Ensemble
21M.451 Collaborative Piano
- About 21M.451 Collaborative Piano: Open by audition to pianists, instrumentalists and singers who wish to explore and develop their talents as collaborative musicians. Students are paired based on availability and receive weekly coachings by appointment. Repertoire will focus on duo repertoire (e.g. accompanied sonatas, art songs, and other substantive duo repertoire). Students are expected to practice independently, rehearse with their collaborator, attend their collaborator's lessons as needed, and perform at a juried recital at the end of the semester. Students may register for 3 units for a smaller-scale assignment or 6 units for a larger-scale assignment or two small assignments. At the discretion of the instructor, this subject may satisfy the ensemble requirement for pianists and instrumentalists in the Emerson/Harris program.

Audition Information for All Ensembles

EMERSON/HARRIS PROGRAM AUDITION INFORMATION

The application submission deadline for the Emerson/Harris Program is Thursday, September 1^st, 2022 at 11:59pm. Please indicate on the form whether you wish to audition for the Scholarship, Fellowship, or both.
Applications received after the deadline will be added to a waitlist. To inquire about being added to the waitlist, email Andy Wilds at awilds@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.
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 6th) at 4pm in Killian Hall.

Classical Strings

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

Auditions will be held in Killian Hall on Saturday, September 10, 2022 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 required.
Applicants will also be asked to prepare a short reading 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.