Individual applied music lessons for academic credit are available to all Rider University students with prior experience, regardless of major. Lessons are available in brass, composition, conducting, guitar/bass, harpsichord, organ, percussion, piano, strings, woodwinds, and voice. For all students whose major or minor program does not require applied music lessons, and for those students who have completed the applied music requirements for their degree program, fees for this elective (non-required) study will apply. Elective lessons are provided on a space-available basis. All part-time students are charged an applied music fee.
Students may earn 1 or 2 credits per semester, with the exception of graduate applied composition courses, which carry 3 credits per semester. Each fall, spring or summer, applied courses consist of twelve private lessons, or the equivalent instructional time, and may require participation in studio classes, performance classes, and/or an end-of-semester jury or performance review. Applied lessons completed during the January term follow specific departmental requirements regarding instructional time.
All applied music students must observe departmental applied requirements listed in the catalog and in department handbooks.
Applied lesson fees are described on the Undergraduate Tuition and Fees section of Rider’s website ( https://www.rider.edu/offices-services/financial-aid-scholarships/tuition-fees/undergraduate-tuition-fees ).
All applied music students must observe departmental applied requirements listed elsewhere in this catalog and in department handbooks. Students for whom applied music lessons are not required may register for lessons on a space-available basis. Interested students should consult the Associate Dean.
Effective as of the fall 2009 semester for all new or readmitted Rider University students, for all students whose major or minor program does not require applied music study, or for those students who have completed their applied music requirements, elective fees will apply. All part-time students are charged an applied music fee.
Registration for applied music study follows this table of suffixes. Students will register for the appropriate course number and suffix, as indicated in the curriculum pages found elsewhere in this catalog.
Full-time Students
A – One-hour, 2-credit required lesson. Included in tuition – no extra charge.
- Theatre, Dance or Performing Arts example: Musical Theatre major
- Westminster Choir College example: All undergraduate majors
B – Half-hour, 1-credit required lesson. Included in tuition – no extra charge.
- Theatre, Dance or Performing Arts example: Popular Music Culture, up to 3 semesters
- Westminster Choir College example: Theory/Composition major (half-hour voice or keyboard lesson)
C – One-hour, 2-credit elective lesson. Not included in tuition – fee charged per semester.
- For students who have completed all required lessons in their major, or students whose major does not require lessons.
D – Half-hour, 1-credit elective lesson. Not included in tuition – fee charged per semester.
- For students who have completed all required lessons in their major or students whose major does not require lessons.
G – One-hour, 2-credit required/elective lesson. Half-hour is required and is included in tuition. The second half-hour is elective and is not included in tuition – fee charged per semester.
- Theatre, Dance or Performing Arts example: Popular Music Culture, up to 3 semesters
- Westminster Choir College example: Theory/Composition major (full-hour voice or keyboard lesson)
Part-time Students
(all part-time students regardless of major or requirements)
- Suffix E – One-hour, 2-credit required or elective lesson – fee charged per semester
- Suffix F – Half-hour, 1-credit required or elective lesson – fee charged per semester
Change of Applied Teacher
Students wishing to change their applied lesson teacher must make a request to the chair of the appropriate department. Any change requested after the beginning of a semester will require the permission of both applied lesson teachers and the department chair. If either applied lesson teacher is the department chair, permission of the Associate Dean also is required.
Change of Major or Applied Primary Area
Students wishing to change their major or the applied primary instrument they play must complete the appropriate form. Permission of the old and new major department is required.