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Private Study

Private study teachers provide high quality instruction in all orchestral instruments, piano, guitar, drums and voice. They provide support, nurture your growth as a musician and push you to excel in your performances. They form a critical part of your education at Concordia.  

Be sure to review all information below before you register.

Before you register

  1. Students may register for a maximum of six (6) credits in Music Private Study in any given academic year.
  2. Students can only take private study courses on the instrument on which they have auditioned and been admitted.
  3. Students can change their primary instrument upon permission and a successful audition.
  4. Voice students can take up to three (3) credits of private study courses in Piano.
  5. Private study classes are only available to Concordia students enrolled in the BFA Music Major or one of the Specialization programs listed in the chart below.
  6. There is a Private Study surcharge. Check point "4. Compulsory fees", under the tab "Surcharge on private study music courses" at Fees.
  7. The following table summarizes the private study courses which are available for each program.

 

Three (3) credits

Six (6) credits

Max 

credits 

MPER

JPER 251 

MPER

JPER 252

MPER

JPER 351

MPER

JPER 352

MPER

JPER 451

MPER

JPER 452

MPER 390

MPER 490

Electroacoustic Studies (MPER)

Optional

Optional

Not available

Not available

Not available

Not available

Not available

Not available

6

Music Major (MPER)

Optional

Optional

Optional

Optional

Not available

Not available

Not available

Not available

12

Jazz Studies (JPER)

Required

Required

Optional

Optional

Optional

Optional

Not available

Not available

18

Music Composition (MPER)

Required

Required

Optional

Optional

Optional

Optional

Not available

Not available

18

Music Performance Studies (MPER)

Required

Required

Req'd either 351 + 352 or 390

Not available

Not available

Required

Required

18 (req)

 
  1. Choose your teacher, ask them to accept you as their student, and obtain a written proof of consent.
  2. Complete the Private Study Registration Form and submit it.
  3. Once the completed form is received by the Music Department, we will enroll you in the course(s) and send you an email notification.
  4.  You are encouraged to submit your Private Study application as soon as possible. Private Study’s registration deadline is three (3) working days before the last registration date (DNE).
  5. Late registration is not permitted for Private Study.
  6. You must take a lesson during the first week of classes in September and January − this is important! The student-instructor relationship is central to your success within the course.
  7. Should you wish to change instructor, this must be done prior to each term and within three (3) working days before the last registration date (DNE).

 

  1. Private study exams are usually scheduled on the first 3 days of an exam period. Take note of Concordia University’s Examination Policy, Academic Regulation 16.3.10 part 3: “Since special arrangements cannot be made in the event of personal time conflicts (including personal travel plans), students should not make commitments for the examination periods until after the final schedule is posted.” Exemptions will only be granted if a student has a doctor’s certificate.
  2. There is a three-person jury for each exam. It is usually composed of the Private Study teacher, another music teacher, and a full-time faculty member, chosen for their appropriate knowledge.
  3. If a student wants to provide a program for their performance examination, please send music@concordia.ca the program 2 weeks before the exam date. A program includes: Student Name and ID, Course number and term, Tittles of the Repertoire, and the composers. You may want to include the music sheet(s) too.

Course Specific Exam Guidelines

JPER/MPER 251, 252, 351, 352, 451, 452

  • Private Study Exams are compulsory for all students registered in JPER/MPER 252, 351, 352, 451, or 452 during the examination period.
  • Students registered in JPER/MPER 251 are not obligated to perform an individual examination but may choose to do so, in consultation with the teacher.
  • These private study exams are scheduled in a 30-minute time slot per student. This includes the student playing for 15-20 minutes and 10 minutes for  discussion and grading. The examination location is usually at MB 8th floor studios.
  • All students must provide their own accompanists, preferably only one, so that set-up time is kept to a minimum. If you need Amps and drum-sets, please inform us (music@concordia.ca) in advance.
  • The exam (average of jury members’ grades) counts for 25% of the final grade. The remaining 75% is the teacher’s evaluation for the work done during the academic term. *Private Study teachers, please have the mark of “Evaluation for the semester’s work” ready on the recital, so to calculate the final grade.

MPER 390 and 490

  • Juried performance exams are compulsory for all students registered in MPER 390 and 490. They are required to present a performance as an examination during the April/May examination period. Usually, these performances are scheduled in the afternoon or evening, at Oscar Peterson Concert Hall, depending on its availability.
  • MPER 390 gives a half-recital (about 20-25 minutes of music time). A 40-minute time slot will be scheduled, this includes jury discussion and grading.
  • MPER 490 gives a full recital (about 40-45 minutes of music time, including a short break halfway through the program when performers can come offstage for a moment). A 60-minute time slot will be scheduled, this includes jury discussion and grading.
  • Students needing an accompanist can inquire about receiving some financial support from the department. Please consult with the department assistant about the budget value and payment procedure. In case the budget offered cannot cover the complete cost for the accompanist, the student will be responsible for the extra amount.
  • The exam (average of jury members’ grades) counts for 50% of the final grade. The remaining 50% is the teacher’s evaluation of the work done during the academic term. *Private Study teachers, please have the mark of “Evaluation for the year’s work” ready on the recital, so to calculate the final grade.

Find private study teachers

Instrument Teacher
Accordian Sergiu Popa
Bass Eric Lagacé
Sage Reynolds
Adrian Vedady
Basson
Joelle Amar
Cello Isabelle Bozzini
Clarinet Lori Freedman
Zaven Zakarian
Drums Jim Hillman
Euphonium Trevor Dix
Fiddle
Kate Bevan-Baker
Flute
David Gossage
Nadia Sparrow
French horn Margaret Gundara
Guitar Greg Amirault
Tim Brady (electric guitar, non-jazz)
Tariq Harb
Patrick Kearney
Gary Schwartz
Mark Villemure
Harp Valérie Milot
Sarah Pagé
Mandolin Adrian Gross
Oboe Lindsay Rroberts
Piano Laurie Altman-Milkman
Gregory Chaverdian
Robin Chemtov
Yaron Ross
Anna Szpilberg
Saxophone Billy Bouffard
Trombone Trevor Dix
Michael Wilson
Trumpet Mike Cartile
Charles Ellison
Voice Julie Daoust
Sienna Dahlen
Irene Feher
Beverly McGuire
Michiel Schrey
Viola Stéphanie Bozzini
Peter Purich
Violin Alissa Cheung
Clemens Merkel
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