Taking Lessons for Credit

In order to take lessons for credit for the first time, you must be concurrently enrolled in Music 150. However, if you have experience with Music Theory you may be able to place into a higher-level course by passing a placement exam, offered during the first week of classes every semester. The exam will cover the following topics:

• Writing major and minor scales, using accidentals, up and down.
• Identifying and writing key signatures, both major and minor.
• Spelling and identifying intervals (P5, M3, etc.)
• Inverting intervals.
• Spelling and identifying triads (C Major, D Diminished, etc.)
• Identifying triads in context (IV in G Major, etc.)
• Melodic dictation (transcribing a melody by ear; you’re given the starting pitch).
• Identifying scales and chord qualities by ear.

The Music Department’s pool of experienced instructors, drawn from the ranks of the Chicago area’s prestigious performing organizations, coach Lake Forest College students on a variety of instruments and in singing.  

Private lessons are available to any Lake Forest College student regardless of experience. While taking lessons, students learn technique, musicianship, and repertoire, demonstrating their skills in workshops and recitals throughout the semester. Students earn half of a credit for each semester of lessons completed.

Consider enrolling in lessons in one of the following areas:

Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass (both acoustic and electric)

Winds: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone

Brass: Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba

Percussion: Marimba, Xylophone, Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Set

Keyboards: Piano, Jazz Piano, Organ 

Other Instruments: Classical Guitar, Blues/Jazz Guitar, Harmonica, Harp

Voice, Composition, Improvisation, Accompanying 

Please note: Students must pay for the lessons out of pocket (see Undergraduate Fees and Expenses) or enroll for credit. For the latter, students must take (or must have already completed) Music 150. 

For more information, see a Music Department advisor.

Applied Music Faculty:

Collin Anderson, Bassoon

Erica Anderson, Oboe

Cynthia Arden, Violin and Viola

Jim Baur, Classical Guitar

Sally Bowers, Flute

Jim Cox, Acoustic and Electric Bass

Barbara Drapcho, Clarinet

Richard Faller, Trombone and Tuba

Jeremiah Frederick, Horn

David Hoffman,  Voice

Elizabeth Gottlieb, Voice 

Debbie Knowles, Percussion

Soo Young Lee, Piano (classical)

Ellen Mosher, Piano (classical)

Shoji Naito, Blues and Jazz Guitar    www.shoblues.com

Mitch Paliga, Saxophone and Improvisation     www.mitchpaliga.com

Dorival Puccini, Trumpet

Tony Ranieri ‘74, Piano (classical and popular)

Kathleen Van De Graaff, Voice

Sophie Webber, Cello     www.sophiewebber.net

Chris White, Piano (jazz)     www.chriswhitepiano.com