Participation Information

Each year, hundreds of students across all majors make great music, collaborate on projects, develop new skills, pursue personal passions, and build community. CWRU Music Ensembles and the Joint Music Program are committed to providing meaningful educational and artistic experiences to students and qualified community members.

New Students: Attend our ensembles overview during Discover Week to meet our ensemble directors and learn more about the audition/registration process, school-owned instruments, lockers, practice rooms, and performances.

Continue below for applied music lesson pre-registration and group classes for beginners.

Ensembles by Category

Auditions

A quick look at auditions to help you prepare:

• Ensembles require an audition once per year (new/returning members) during the first week of fall semester classes.
• A fall semester audition counts for the entire academic year.
• New members can audition during the first week of spring semester classes.
• All woodwind/brass/percussion players follow audition guidelines for Symphonic Winds.
• All string players follow audition guidelines for Symphony Orchestra.
• All voice students or piano majors follow audition guidelines for Concert Choir or Keyboard Ensemble.
• Auditions vary for each ensemble in the Historical Perf Prac and Specialty or Small Group categories. 
• Placement in Jazz Ensembles I + II or in ensembles with *no audition happens at the first class meeting.

Note: The Spartan Marching Band will meet one week early during orientation. Visit the SMB page for the pre-season packet.

Registration

Enrollment permissions are granted in the Student Information System (SIS) following a successful audition or after the first week of class. Once course permissions have been granted students should return to their SIS account to register in the appropriate MUEN course. The Drop/Add Period ends on the 2nd Friday of each semester.

Did you know?

Most ensembles have variable credit (between 0.00 and 1.00 units) which allows students to participate without exceeding 19 credit units per semester. 

The Facilities page is the "central hub" for policies pertaining to building access, practice rooms, borrowing instruments, and reserving lockers.

 Private Lessons

All current CWRU students can take applied music lessons for academic credit through the Joint Music Program with Cleveland Institute of Music faculty members. 

Before the first week of class: 

• Complete the Secondary Lessons: Policies and Pre-Registration Form to agree to the terms and conditions of secondary lessons (MUAP 131 or MUAP 531). This form is required for minor minors/non-majors before each registration period.
• Students with little or no prior experience interested in learning guitar/piano/voice are required to take the corresponding Group Music Class for Beginners (see below) before taking secondary lessons.
• Applied lesson instructional fees are added to the term bill (per semester) for music minors/non-majors at the end of the drop/add period. Rates: $750 (1.00 credit units) for 30-min lessons or $1,500 (2.00 credit units) for 60-min weekly lessons.
• Applied music lessons (MUAP) cannot be taken as fellowship courses.
• Tuition and instructional fees associated with lessons cannot be waived. Refunds will not be issued after the drop/add period ends.
• Students should make every effort to register in SIS and schedule their weekly lesson time with their instructor before each new term.

Group Classes for Beginners

Learn fundamental skills and techniques, develop the ability to play solo or in an ensemble, and connect with your peers! This course is intended for undergraduate non-music-major students with little or no previous musical experience seeking instruction in either piano, voice or guitar. Taught by Cleveland Institute of Music instructors and made available by the Joint Music Program

Overview: 

• Group setting with up to 8 students
• Class will meet once per week for 15 weeks
• 1.00 credit units
• No pre-requisite for this course
• Students are provided access to CWRU Department of Music practice rooms

Register for Group Class in SIS

Photo: Silver Hall (Maltz Performing Arts Center)