Below are some of the questions prospective students commonly ask. If you have a question that is not answered please feel free to email us.
General Questions:
If I want to meet privately with one of my instructors for extra help, with he or she be available to me?
Our faculty will do its best to meet individually with students who have particular questions about coursework. In addition, we provide weekly workshops in counterpoint and harmony for students who wish to work between classes on their coursework with a junior faculty member.
May I schedule additional private lessons with the faculty?
Yes, if such lessons do not conflict with your other classes and commitments. Students are responsible for any additional fees to be negotiated directly with the faculty member.
If I don’t like my room, can I change it?
No, the dorms where we book our student rooms are usually filled to capacity during the month of July.
Can I expect daily housekeeping in my dorm room?
No, rooms are cleaned weekly or bi-weekly. The rooms are clean and comfortable.
Do I have to take EAMA’s Housing?
No. Every year some students elect to find housing on their own, but be advised that doing so usually requires a great deal of time to find a room or an apartment, a large security deposit and greater expense.
Chamber Music Questions:
Will I be able to perform a concert recital during the program?
While you will not be able to perform a full recital during the program, you will have the opportunity to perform a few works you have been studying at scheduled student concerts at the end of July, in consultation with the Chamber Music Faculty.
Who attends the master classes offered during the Summer Program?
Faculty and students of the composition, conducting, and chamber music programs attend the master classes. The classes are frequently open to the public.
What is their focus?
Master classes are focused on helping students apply the knowledge they are learning in their classes to interpreting the works they are studying and helping students find their own voice.
Will I have the opportunity to work with composers?
Yes, the program is designed to promote interaction between composers and performers. All chmaber musicians take classes with composers. Composers often ask other musicians to collaborate to read and perhaps perform their works at the scheduled student concerts at the end of the program.
Conducting Questions:
What is the main focus of the conducting program?
The conducting program shows you how to take full advantage of the tools you acquire in the counterpoint, harmony, analysis, score-reading and choral singing classes to develop your effectiveness, creativity, and independence as a problem-solver and artist.
Is the emphasis of the program on major compositional trends of the 20th Century?
The EAMA curriculum will enable you to approach compositions in a variety of styles. All compositions are studied and analyzed by looking at their harmonic and contrapuntal structure.
Will I get to conduct and/or record part of a concert?
If you are asked to conduct on a concert, you may make a recording for your own use.
Composition questions:
What is the main focus of the composition program?
The main focus of this program is on mastering the tools of composition. Although students’ own works are discussed in group composition lessons, the major focus of the program is NOT on student works nor the performance of these works, but rather on HOW the tools acquired in the counterpoint, harmony and analysis classes can be applied to help a student delve deeper into his or her own voice in composition.
Is the emphasis of the program on major compositional trends of the 20th Century?
We do not examine compositions from the point of view of style. Compositions are studied and analyzed by looking at their harmonic and contrapuntal structures.
Is the focus of the program to give performances of student works?
The focus of the program is on learning the fundamental crafts of composition. A small number of student works do get chosen for performances and master classes.
If my work is chosen to be read by the choral or visiting chamber group, will I get a recording?
You are welcome to make a recording for your own use.
