<p>Hi. I'm really high-strung right now, and I will be until May (after the AP exams). I don't even know if I'm going to even get into Wellesley, but if I do, I'm interested in taking music lessons. Are music lessons included in the tuition or does Wellesley charge extra for them like Catholic schools do? Is there a limit to how many instruments you can learn at once. What are the lessons like; are they group or are they one to one? Thanks. If only I could shake off this hysterical feeling...</p>
<p>If you are on any sort of financial aid, the lessons are free. If you are not on financial aid, they are significantly reduced–I get a 45 minute weekly lesson, which would normally cost about $1500, for $1000 (the price of a 30 minute lesson). The catch is, you must take the lessons for credit. This means that each semester you will give a performance/recital, and each academic year you have to take a music course. I think it is worth it–you get one credit/year for the lesson (and of course the music course counts for a credit), and the music class requirement has not been very arduous, in my opinion. If you don’t take the lessons for credit, you have to pay the full price for you lesson time, whether or not you are on financial aid. </p>
<p>Lessons are one on one. I know you can take at least two at a time, but I don’t know if you are allowed to take more than that. The teachers are of pretty high caliber, I think–they pretty much have all been to well-known conservatories and work regularly as musicians in addition to teaching. I suppose if you are used to being taught by a member of a major symphonic orchestra or some similarly prestigious person you will find it a step down, but as a merely good high school musician I am very pleased with my musical experience at Wellesley.</p>
<p>Is the performance/recital at the end of each semester really formal? I’m pretty good at music but not brilliant, so I’m worried that the standards may be too high for me.</p>
<p>Fall semester, the recital is not very formal–6 or so people go in an hour, it’s open to the public, and you sit in the audience when you aren’t performing. You aren’t being judged. </p>
<p>Spring semester, it is more formal–each person goes one at a time, and the only people in the audience are lesson teachers. This is the performance that determines whether or not you get credit for your lesson. However, Wellesley is not a conservatory–they are not expecting a flawless performance, and they are not looking to scare you or anything like that. I think everyone gets credit. </p>
<p>I was not an all-state musician or anything like that in high school, and I have been received fine by the music department, so I would not worry about not being good enough.</p>
<p>Thanks, that really helped. I just hope I get into Wellesley. :[ It’s torture to wait until April.</p>
<p>did you apply to Barnard? You have to try out for music lessons and orchestra. But if accepted for music lessons then do not have to pay. Some teachers are from julliard.</p>
<p>I did apply to Barnard, but I didn’t apply to that music exchange program mentioned. O-O I’m really far away from Julliard level…</p>
<p>When do you sign up for the lessons for credit? At orientation?</p>
<p>and alexra4’s comment regarding acceptances pertains only to Barnard, right?</p>