Music Program FAQs

This FAQ page is meant to help answer questions that students or advisors may have about the Music Program at Regis, and that have not already been answered in the music links above. The following areas of the Music Program are addressed below:

Applied Music Lessons
Advanced Applied Music Lessons
Practice Rooms
Performing Ensembles
The New Music Major and Music Minor

Questions about applied music lessons

Can I take a music lesson?

• Yes. Any fulltime Regis College student may register for an applied music lesson. Applied lessons are private one-on-one music lessons. Note: A prerequisite is required for certain areas (voice, piano and guitar). Students who want to begin taking applied music lessons in voice, piano or guitar should first register for one of the following courses (each are 2-credit classes that meet twice a week for 50 minutes):

Beginning Class Voice FAM-203
Intermediate Class Voice FAM-204
Beginning Class Guitar FAM-205
Intermediate Class Guitar FAM-206
Beginning Class Piano FAM-240
Intermediate Class Piano FAM-241

Do I have to pay for lessons or group music classes?

• No. Students register for applied music lessons and group classes the same way they would for any class. There are no additional music fees.

Do I need to have my own instrument?

• Applied music students are expected to own or rent their own instruments with the exception of applied piano students) and also to purchase or borrow their own music for use in lessons.

Does the Music Program have instruments to rent to students?

• Currently the Music Program owns a limited number of instruments that may be loaned to students. Please check with the Department Studio Manager (Robert St. John) for availability of instruments. Students who do not own their own instruments can rent them from one of several local music stores.

How long are lessons?

• Students registered for 200-level applied lessons meet once a week with their instructor for a 30-minute lesson. Applied lessons are 1 semester hour. In special cases only, with permission of instructor, a student may register for 2 semester hours (1 hour lesson per week).

When do I meet with my instructor?

• After a student has registered for a lesson, they should come to Room #123, Main Hall, where they will find the “Music Program Sign-up Sheets” for all of the applied instructors. Students can sign up for a 30-minute time slot with their instructor on a first-come, first-serve basis. There they will also find contact info for each instructor. Students will need to contact their instructor for starting day and studio room number (usually the second week of classes).

What if there are no time slots available that fit in with my schedule?

• Sometimes a student’s schedule will make it difficult to find a time slot that works with the instructor, but scheduling conflicts can usually be worked out. Sometimes an instructor can switch time slots with another student or even switch with another instructor if there are more than one in that applied area (in voice, piano and guitar, for example).

What if the course is closed?

• If the course is closed there may be another section that is open (e.g., voice, guitar, and piano). Alternatively, you can ask at registration to be put on a “Wait List.” You will then be contacted by the instructor. There is a good chance you will be able to be accommodated.

Questions about advanced applied music lessons

What if I have already been studying an instrument and consider myself an intermediate to advanced player—can I register for advanced applied lessons?

• With the permission of the instructor and/or the Director of the Music Program, an advanced music student may register for any 400-level (upper division) advanced applied music lesson. Advanced students may register for either a 1- or 2-credit lesson (with permission of their instructor).

Are there practice rooms available?

• Yes. Currently there are three dedicated music practice rooms (Main Hall #134B, #134C, and #107B), each with an acoustic piano. Any applied music student may sign up for a regular practice time in #134B and C during weekdays (7am-6pm) and on a first-come first-serve basis in room #107B and during the evening hours (6pm-10pm).

Questions about Music Ensembles

What kinds of music ensembles are there at Regis?

• Currently, there are seven ensemble opportunities for students offered through the Music Program at Regis:

University Choir
Collegium Musicum
Jazz Ensemble
Chamber Ensembles
Concert Choir
Piano Ensemble
Guitar Ensemble

How many credits are ensembles?

• All ensembles are two credits and meet for two hours a week (either twice a week for one hour or once a week for two hours). A 0-2 credit option is also available for music ensemble registration. Note: Students with 16 semester hours or less must register for 2 semester hours for any music ensemble. Only students registered at 17 semester hours may take advantage of the 1 semester hour music ensemble. Only students registered for 18 semester hours may take advantage of the 0 semester hour music ensemble.

What kinds of ensemble opportunities are there for singers?

• There are four ensemble opportunities for singers at Regis: The University Choir, Concert Choir, Collegium Musicum, and Chapel Choir.

What are the differences between these groups?

• The University Choir is a large a cappella group geared for singers with all levels of choir experience. Any student may register for this group. The Concert Choir is a smaller a cappella group for more advanced singers (an audition is required). The Collegium Musicum is a large mixed ensemble of singers and instrumentalists that focuses on earlier music styles (madrigals etc…), and requires some previous choir experience. The Chapel Choir is offered for no-credit through Campus Ministry and is open to all students. The Chapel Choir prepares liturgical music for weekly services on campus.

What about if I play an instrument?

• There are five opportunities for instrumentalists to participate in performing ensembles on campus: the Chamber Ensemble, the Piano Ensemble, the Jazz Ensemble, the Guitar Ensemble, and the Collegium Musicum.

• Chamber Ensembles are geared for various combinations of orchestral instrumentalists (mainly strings and woodwinds). Chamber Ensembles are smaller chamber groups each with an instructor who works directly with the group. Students are generally placed in groups according to their level of proficiency. Class times are generally determined according to individual student and instructor schedules.

• The Piano Ensemble is for advanced piano students who would like an ensemble experience. Participants in Piano Ensemble will often be grouped and coached with students from the Chamber Ensembles.

• The Jazz Ensemble is open to all students. They are especially looking for brass players (trumpet, sax and trombone). If you play flute, clarinet, drums/percussion, electric or standup bass, or electric guitar, you should also consider the Jazz Ensemble.

• The Guitar Ensemble is a more advanced ensemble for guitarists. Generally, participants have already had at least one private applied guitar lesson. In special cases, Freshman may audition for the Guitar Ensemble.

• The Collegium Musicum is open to a limited number and type of instruments since they concentrate on music before 1750. The common early instruments are recorders, viola da gambas, sackbut (predecessor to the trombone), shawms (predecessor to the modern oboe) and other early instruments. Some modern instruments may be considered depending on the repertoire (especially violin, cello, bassoon, trombone and trumpet). Students interested in exploring this fascinating music may want to meet with the Music Director.

Questions about the new Music Major and Structured Music Minor

Is there a music major at Regis?

• The Department of Fine and Perfoming Arts offers the Bachelor of Arts in Music, Music Performance, and Music History and Literature. Students interested in the Music Major should contact the Music Program Director as soon as possible to discuss the application and audition process. Audition and Scholarship deadlines and information are available on the Music Program Homepage.

What about a music minor?

• Students interested in pursuing the Music Minor should meet with the Music Program Director who will help them design a course of study. All Music Minors start out by taking the prerequisite "Foundations of Music" (FAM-235) and the corequisite "Aural Skills" (FAM-236). Following the prerequisites, students minoring in music will need at least three consecutive semesters of advanced applied music (“Techinques and Performance”), two semesters of an advanced ensemble, and two music history courses.

For further information about applied lessons, ensembles, the Music Major or Music Minor, please contact the Music Program Director (Dr. Mark Davenport) at (303) 964-3609 or by email at: Mark Davenport

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