Music
The mission of the Rhodes College Music Department is to create a dynamic, welcoming, and collaborative community that helps students write their own unique music stories. Every semester, over one quarter of the Rhodes student body joins with us to perform, compose, take classes, and gain real-world experiences that connect them directly with professionals in the field. Every story is different, and the Department of Music is committed to supporting each student’s journey through a flexible and student-centered curriculum, access to top-tier faculty, international learning opportunities, and a deep connection to the vibrant and culturally rich city of Memphis.
Becoming a Music Major
Music majors are required to undergo a sophomore-year review in February. This review helps assess academic and artistic progress and helps focus direction for the remainder of their undergraduate studies in music. Students must complete a Declaration of Major form which includes: an outline of their proposed course of study, an essay which details why they wish to major in music, and consultation with their academic advisor. The review includes assessment of all previous juries, review of the student's Declaration of Major form, and an interview with full-time music faculty.
Performance Opportunities
All Rhodes students have the opportunity to participate in private lessons and musical ensembles, regardless of their major. Our well-rounded Liberal Arts framework prepares students to become accomplished performers, composers, music scholars, and entrepreneurs.
All students are invited to enroll in performance ensembles. See course offerings: MUSC 181 through 199.
All students are invited to enroll in private (applied) lessons in voice/instrument. See course offerings: MUSC 160 through 180.
Applied Lesson Fee
Applied Music Fee. Students enrolled in applied music will be charged an additional fee of $490.00 per credit for private lessons. After the first applied music lesson, this applied lesson fee is nonrefundable.
Once declared, Music majors will have the Applied Music fees waived for up to eight (8) credits of their principal applied instrument. Music majors taking more than eight (8) credits of Applied Music and lessons taken prior to declaration of the major will be charged the applied fee for those credits.
Once declared, Music minors will have the Applied Music fees waived for up to four (4) credits of Applied Music and lessons taken prior to declaration of the minor will be charged the applied fee for those credits.
*All students enrolled in 20 or more credits in a semester are assessed the extra fee for each credit beginning with the 20th credit. When one of those credits is an applied music course which carries its own fee, the following happens:
Students who are neither music majors nor music minors are assessed the applied music fee, but have the extra hour fee removed from their account.
Students who are either music majors or music minors have the applied music fee removed from their account, but are assessed the extra credit fee at a rate that is equal to the current applied music fee.