Undergraduate Program
Frequently Asked Questions
1. I am interested in a professional career in music. Will music study at Yale help me achieve that goal?
Answer: The study of music at Yale College, and particularly the music major, provides a firm foundation in music that is intended to provide an extensive background in the art form for students who will go on to professional careers as composers, performers, or scholars, or who may enter fields in which a solid grounding in music is essential, such as arts management, cognitive psychology, music production, publishing, or world music.
2. Is the Yale College music major a degree in performance?
Answer: No. The music major is a general music program with studies in composition, conducting, ethnomusicology, music history, music technology, music theory, and performance.
3. Are auditions required for admission?
Answer: Yale College is an academic institution, so there are no auditions for admission. Students are welcome to include composition works or recordings of performances with their application as supplementary material. *See Supplementary Materials for Admission.
4. Are music scholarships available?
Answer: There are no specific music scholarships for undergraduates, however, financial assistance is available through the Office of Financial Aid.
5A. Can the music major at Yale be combined with my other academic interests?
Answer: The music major at Yale is pursued as part of a diversified liberal arts program, leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree. Although Yale does not offer minors, students may double major.
5B. Do music majors pursue music full time?
Whatever you choose to major in at Yale, you will be working towards a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. Yale wants its’ students to have a broad liberal arts education, so the music major consists of 12 credits of the 36 needed for graduation, with the remaining credits from other fields. Yale is an excellent place to combine high-level music making with outstanding academics.
6. May I take music lessons and receive academic credit?
Answer: Yes. Qualified students may apply up to four performance credits toward the thirty-six-credit requirement for the Bachelor of Arts degree. Only two performance credits may apply toward the twelve-credit requirement for the music major. Lessons are offered in cooperation with the Yale School of Music. Placement auditions are held the first week of school every September. Questions? Please contact Professor Sarita Kwok (sarita.kwok@yale.edu), the Coordinator of the Undergraduate Lessons Program.
7. May I take music lessons without credit?
Answer: Yes. A fee is charged. The fee for 6 one-hour lessons is $350, and $550 for 12 one-hour lessons per semester. Students are required to audition for non-credit music lessons as well. Questions? Please contact Professor Sarita Kwok (sarita.kwok@yale.edu), the Coordinator of the Undergraduate Lessons Program.
8. How should I prepare for placement auditions in September?
Answer: Students hoping to enroll in performance courses, lessons for credit, the Yale Bands, the Yale Glee Club, and the Yale Symphony Orchestra, among others, should arrive at Yale College in September with two pieces of their choice ready for audition. It is best, but not required that these pieces be memorized. Singers may bring music for accompanists, who are provided.
9A. What opportunities are there to perform?
Answer: Many of the performance opportunities at Yale College are outside the classroom. Yale College is well known for its extracurricular musical activities; both student run and those led by faculty.Participation in performing ensembles or chamber music is open to all interested students, not just music majors
9B. What is the performing caliber of non-music majors?
Answer: There are many excellent performers at Yale, majoring in a variety of different fields. Some students double major with music as one of their majors and the other major in a different field.
10. Will there be opportunities to play a public solo recital or to participate in a public performance?
Answer: It is possible to arrange performances under the auspices of your residential college, or through the Department of Music. Sudler Hall, a very fine small concert hall, is intended for undergraduate performances. Students may compete in the annual Friends of Music Recital Competition, sponsored by the Friends of Music, or the William Waite Concerto Competition sponsored by the Yale Symphony Orchestra.
11. Will I be able to play chamber music?
Answer: The Music Department offers Music 220/221, a year-long offering in chamber music performance, which provides professional coaching by faculty members. Additional, informal opportunities to play chamber music are ample. Questions? Please contact Professor Wendy Sharp (wendy.sharp@yale.edu) regarding chamber music study in Yale College.
12. Will I be able to play in the Yale Symphony Orchestra?
Answer: Auditions for the Yale Symphony Orchestra are held in September each year. Participation is an extra-curricular activity.
13. I compose. Can I have my own music performed?
Answer: Students may have their works performed under the auspices of Yale College New Music. Many of the Yale College performance ensembles premiere compositions by Yale College composers.
14. Will I be able to study conducting?
Answer: Courses in conducting are offered as electives in the Yale College music curriculum.
15. When do I declare myself a music major?
Answer: You are required to declare a major the Fall of your junior year. Some students declare their major early.
16. Will the music major prepare me to teach music?
Answer: Yale's Teacher Preparation program allows students to meet the requirements for certification to teach in early childhood education, or in public secondary schools. Teacher Prep is available to majors in music as well as other disciplines.
17. How do I apply for the B.A./M.M. program?
Answer: Students in Yale College possessing outstanding ability in composition or performance may apply for the B.A./M.M program, whether they major in music or another discipline. Interested students should consult Professor Paul Hawkshaw (paul.hawkshaw@yale.edu) of the Yale School of Music at the beginning of their junior year.
18. What is the difference between the Yale Department of Music and the Yale School of Music?
Answer: The Yale Department of Music offers curricular instruction at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Yale College study towards the B.A. in Music includes courses offered in composition, conducting, ethnomusicology, music history, music technology, music theory, and performance. As part of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Yale Department of Music offers advanced courses in music theory and musicology leading to the Ph.D. The School of Music is a professional school offering only graduate degrees in composition, conducting, and music performance.
