Music FAQs

"May I take private music lessons?"
Yes. Private lessons are offered in Piano, Voice and Orchestral Instruments. You may register for these lessons as you would for other courses at Chatham, and receive either 1, 2 or 3 credits for your lessons. Please see the catalogue for additional information.

"May I combine Music with another academic area?"
Yes. You may combine Music with another area of interest to create an Interdisciplinary Major. Some suggested combinations are Music/Theatre, Music/English, Music/Modern Languages, Music/Communications, Music/Visual Arts. Or, you may choose a double major, in which Major requirements for both areas need to be fulfilled. In the past, students have chosen Music and Mathematics, Music and English and Music and Theatre.

"Are there any Music Scholarships?"
Yes. If you plan to major in Voice, you are eligible to audition for a Minna Kaufmann Ruud Voice Scholarship. The Scholarship Program includes a scholarship award, payment of fees for a professional coach-accompanist for your lessons, an additional private coaching session, and also covers the Applied Music fee for your voice lessons. You may obtain specific information about the auditions from the Office of Admissions.

"Will I have opportunities to perform?"
You have numerous opportunities to perform, either as soloist, as a member of a solo ensemble, or as a member of a larger ensemble, the Chatham University Choir. Music Student recitals take place each semester, and students are featured in the Friday Afternoon Musicale series. In addition, Music students are requested to perform for various special events on campus, such as the Alumnae Holiday Luncheon, the Scholarship Dinner, and Commencement. Off-campus performances for high schools, service and private organizations are encouraged. Singers have the opportunity to perform as soloists in Chatham University Choir concerts, and instrumentalists may perform in solo ensembles as part of various performance venues.