operamom

What is the best option for a MHC non-music major to continue classical voice lessons in college? D is a MHC admit who wants a liberal arts undergraduate education and (hopefully) a graduate education in opera. She wants to participate in vocal groups, take music theory and continue voice lessons. Do any of the colleges have voice teachers who teach classical voice? Are lessons extra for a non-music major even if she sings in an ensemble? Is it even possible for a non-music major to study with the college's voice teachers?

D has also been admitted to Smith, but she has a scholarship to MHC. If Smith is the better option for D's goals, we would support that choice.

2boysima

From Q & A on Music dept's web page:

Do I need to be a music major or minor to take lessons?
No. All students are eligible for lessons and actually, there are many students enrolled in performance study who are not majors or minors.

Is there a fee for music lessons?
The College charges the following fees for performance study:
$600 per semester for weekly, individual 50-minute lessons
$360 per semester for weekly, individual 30-minute lessons

No refunds of fees are allowed for students who drop a performance course after the 10th academic day.

Music lesson fees are waived for declared music majors and minors.

Are there any scholarships available?
Students who receive financial aid from the College are eligible to apply for a Grant-in-Aid to help pay for lessons. Applications are available in the Music Department Office or online and must be submitted at the beginning of each semester of study. There are no automatic renewals.

MHC Music FAQs


Nancy J. Gustafson, an internationally acclaimed opera singer (still singing but also teaching at Northwestern) is an MHC alum.

icesk8mom

MHC mom here. I would suggest that your daughter contact the music department at 413-538-2306. The department assistant can refer her to the best person to speak with. I would also encourage her (and you!) to attend one of the admitted student visit days where she can sit in on classes and speak with faculty.

shelley14

Hey, icesk8mom - my daughter is looking at Mount Holyoke and Smith. She is a figure skater. Do you have a figure skating daughter? Does she skate at UMass in Amherst. I'm tryng to find out information about the figure skating opportunities within the consortium. Appreciate any info you can give me.

icesk8mom

Hi Shelley14...the name is a holdover from the days that I used to have my daughter on ice for 6:30....back then, I thought I'd earned the "handle" and it just stuck. My daughter gave up figure skating years ago due to chronic knee problems. I'll see what I can find out, for you though.

frazzledmaybe

Shelley, not sure about options beyond winter time, but MHC freezes over an area in the winter, so we have our very own outdoor rink.

Also, MHC is closer to UMass and Amherst. It isn't a huge difference, but it is mainly because of the traffic in Northampton. NoHo is fairly annoying to drive through, so that is definitely something to consider if she plans to have regular practices at either school.

khsstitches

Shelley 14 - My D is looking at MHC (she is a JR now) and is a skater. I know Mass. well as well as Mass rinks. There are rinks in Westfield and Amherst. I just did a quick lookup and the Amelia Park rink in Westfield has a USFS club as doesthe Mullins Center rink at UMAss. You can find out more about clubs in the area at www.usfsu.org.....and I believe at one time Mt. H had a club team right there. Those sort of wax and wane depending on the student body interest but often a few skaters will get together and go. My other D goes to Carnegie Mellon and that is what they do. They sort of "find" each other!!! Good luck.

shelley14

Thanks, khsstitches and frazzledmaybe! I am hoping UMass would work out because it would be easier to get to without a car. Appreciate your help. Icesk8mom also found some MHC students who skate at UMass.

khsstitches

I know there is bus service - if you look on the 5 college consortium website there is info about the bus service around the 5 colleges. Is your D a JR now or a SR? If she attends we'd love some feedback. We are looking to UMass to supplement some specific science interests.

icesk8mom

My daughter is a sophomore at MHC. She uses the PVTA (bus) regularly, as she is currently taking a course at UMass. She'll be taking two courses at other consortium schools next fall.
The bus runs regularly:
http://www.pvta.com/files/schedules/...43_2007sep.pdf
http://www.pvta.com/files/schedules/...43_2007sep.pdf
http://www.pvta.com/files/schedules/...43_2007sep.pdf
There are several bus stops on the Mount Holyoke campus, making it rather convenient.

shelley14

She is a junior and is also looking at science opportunities.