<p>I currently play the trumpet and would like to continue at college but I am not really interested in majoring in music. I read on the website that in order to take lessons through the college you have to pay an extra 600 per semester. Is that true? I believe at Swat they will pay for your lessons so I assumed Amherst would be similar.</p>
<p>It's kind of complicated. If you are on financial aid and are taking lessons for credit (which counts as a half course), then the lessons are free. If you aren't on financial aid, or you aren't taking the lessons for credit, then you have to pay. In order to take the class for credit, you have to play at an intermediate level or above and take another music class the same semester you start lessons.</p>
<p>I just started taking lessons not for credit this semester (I played throughout middle and high school) and I'm very happy with my instructor. Definitely a worthwhile thing to do, especially if you are like me and not particularly good at motivating yourself to practice unless you are being prodded.</p>
<p>What about musical groups like jazz ensembles, concert orchestras, etc.</p>
<p>There are a number of jazz groups on campus, though being a bassoonist I don't have any first-hand experience with them. The concert orchestra is quite good. We're playing Beethoven's 5th at the concert over accepted students weekend in a couple of weeks.</p>