MUSIC AT WELLS: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Acknowledgement: Professor Emerita Susan G. Sandman and Associate Dean Koester
Q: "Do you teach beginners? Do you teach piano? Recorder? Guitar? Stringed Instruments Wind Instruments? Can I have voice lessons?
All students interested in music can participate in the Wells music program. Students may play and sing in various ensembles (please see below). All performers, but especially beginners, may want to start with MUS 145 (please see below).
Wells offers beginning classes in Guitar (MUS 121) and Piano (MUS 141) as well as more advanced instruction (MUS 261 and 232). There are also private lesions in violin, viola, cello, double bass and viola da gamba (all MUS 263) and in flute, baroque flute, recorder, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba, sax (MUS 273 for all). Lessons are open to students by audition or permission of instructor. A pre-requisite or co-requisite if you are studying for academic credit are MUS 145, MUS 122, MUS 241, MUS 242, MUS 341, or MUS 342. Students may study piano or voice for no credit with a fee and as space permits.
To play recorder or other Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque period instruments, register for the Early Music Performance class (MUS 161). There is also an early music ensemble (MUS 252). You can learn to play recorder, lute, harpsichord, psaltery, or viola da gamba using the historical instruments owned by the college. First year students are welcome to join and try something new (See Professor Penniman).
Voice lessons are offered as MUS 260 (prerequisite or co-requisite of MUS 112 or MUS 145, and permission of instructor.
Q: "Can I continue to play flute/cello/trumpet . etc. in a group?"
Yes. Registration in MUS 220 or Wells College Jazz Band or MUS 253, Chamber Orchestra, will give you many opportunities to play (See Professor Laura Campbell).
Q: "What opportunities does Wells offer to vocalists?"
Choir (MUS 150, after audition) and Chamber singers (MUS 250, with prerequisite of PART 150 and audition), like instrumental chamber music, piano, and early music performance, are courses for academic credit. Choir and chamber singers perform in New York City every December and in on-campus concerts every semester, often with other choirs (See Professor Crawford Thoburn).
Student groups "Henry's VIII" and "Whirligigs" are student run and not for credit. They are select a cappella groups featuring popular favorites and they sing at many campus events (Watch for Signs for tryouts). The Gospel Choir “Appointed” is also a not-for-credit group and open to all interested singers.
Voice lessons are offered as MUS 260 (prerequisite or co-requisite of MUS 112 or MUS 145, and permission of instructor.
Q: "I love music but don't know much about it. What is available in music theory?"
MUS 145 is a good place to start (see Prof. Gilbertson).
Q: "I would like to play, but I don't own an instrument. What do I do?"
If you would like to continue with your familiar instrument, you might first check your high school band director - several Wells students play instruments borrowed from their home high school, a friend, or even a neighbor. You might rent an instrument from your hometown music store or call our area music store to ask about rental (Hickey's Music Center : 607-272-8262). Instruments available at Wells include pianos, drum set, synthesizer, harpsichord, and early instruments.
Q: "How do I join? How do I register or add a course?"
Watch for signs for auditions during the start of classes. See music faculty in the Barler Music building. Use the add/drop form the first week of classes.
This page (Music at Wells: Frequently Asked Questions) is maintained by Diane Koester, Associate Dean for Academic and Learning Resources and Director of Academic Advising, who is solely responsible for its content. Please see our Statement of Responsibility. Last updated June 2006.
Return to Advising at Wells College (top-level page on advising).