“Each semester a number of students are recommended by their private-study teachers to provide private instruction to Conservatory and Arts and Sciences students who have been approved by audition for secondary applied private study.”
What exactly does “secondary” mean? Will A&S students only be placed with a student-teacher for lessons on a secondary instrument? Does this mean that on their primary instrument (or singular instrument), A&S students will have lessons with college or conservatory faculty?
They are called “secondary” lessons because when conversatory students sign up to take them it’s on a secondary instrument. If you’re not in the con, you can consider your “primary” instrument being in the college. Secondary lesson placement depends on the department and how good you are. Most secondary lessons will be taught by conservatory students but if you choose a less busy department and are really good at your instrument you might get placed with a conservatory professor. I don’t think any college professors give secondary lessons as the college music department is more academic/music history based than performance based.
@megame18 thanks for the response! I’m still confused though. Does a non-con student taking lessons on a single instrument fall under the category of “secondary applied private study?”
Basically, what I want to know is who I’ll actually be having lessons with if I’m a musical studies major in the college.
Yes, “primary” lessons are for conservatory majors for their studio. If you look at the course catolog they are usually 8 credit hours per semester. Musical Studies majors primary focus is not performing, so they take “secondary” lessons which are usually less credit and time intensive. Obviously you can practice as much as you have time for, but you won’t be expected to practice as much as students in the con.
If you audition well and the professors have time, you will be placed with a professor. Otherwise you will be placed with a conservatory student majoring in that instrument. If it matters to you about getting placed with a professor over a student, I would recommend contacting Cindy Shairba or one of the faculty instructors listed on this page: https://new.oberlin.edu/conservatory/student-academic-affairs/secondary-lessons/auditions-consent.dot