| (1) The Petrie School is a professional school of music. What is the difference between a professional school of music and a
conservatory?
(2) Do I need advanced training in order to apply to the Petrie School?
(3) What should I be doing now to prepare for majoring in music at college?
(4) If I am music major, will I be taught by a graduate student?
(5) How many practice rooms does Petrie have? When are they open?
(6) Can I study Music Education AND Performance?
(7) Does the Petrie School provide career counseling?
(1) The Petrie School is a professional school of music. What is the difference between a professional school of music and a conservatory?
The primary difference is in the curricula offered by these types of institutions. A music student at a conservatory will be enrolled in a degree program consisting largely of music skills studies with very little or no coursework required in general or liberal arts studies. In contrast, the Petrie School of Music provides the student with a wider range of degree programs, plus the opportunity to choose freely from Converse College’s broad course offerings in the liberal arts. The rationale is that in the real world, professional musicians need to be able to think critically, speak and write well, and have marketable skills.
(2) Do I need advanced training in order to apply to the Petrie School?
Private training on a particular instrument is not a requirement for application to the Petrie School, but it is certainly recommended. Students should begin private study on their instrument or in voice as soon as possible. Playing in a band or singing in a choir is not sufficient experience to prepare a student for a college entrance audition.
(3) What should I be doing now to prepare for majoring in music at college?
In addition to taking private instrument lessons, students should take steps to learn the basic fundamentals of music theory—how to read both treble and bass clefs, all key signatures, the major and minor scales, meter signatures, and how to write basic notation.
Students with piano skills will have a big head start as music majors. For those who are not proficient at the piano, now is the time to start taking lessons. Keyboard ability is very important for the life work of most musicians.
And last, but certainly not least, practice, practice, practice! Developing good practice habits and skills with the help of your teacher will make your practice time most productive.
(4) If I am music major, will I be taught by a graduate student?
All classes and private lessons are taught by the Petrie School of Music faculty. The low 7:1 student/teacher ratio ensures that students will have much interaction with artist/teachers who are active in performing, conducting, and research.
(5) How many practice rooms does Petrie have? When are they open?
The Petrie School has thirty practice rooms which are open every day, including weekends, from 7:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Over half of the practice rooms are equipped with pianos, most are Steinway grands.
(6) Can I study Music Education AND Performance?
The best advice for students interested in both music education and performance is to earn their Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, and then go to graduate school for a Master’s degree in Performance. The Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree is the most extensive degree program offered by the Petrie School of Music, both in the number of hours required to complete the degree and in the breadth of courses included in the curriculum. In addition, one semester of the senior year is devoted entirely to the student teaching practicum. The Bachelor of Music in Performance degree program is also extensive, with its own degree-specific requirements. Elective junior and senior recitals can be performed by music education majors wanting to prepare for graduate study in performance.
(7) Does the Petrie School provide career counseling?
Career counseling for music majors is offered through the Converse College Office of Career Services. Students also receive counseling through the close relationships developed with their major teachers and administrators.
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| (1) Can I pursue a graduate degree in music without a music undergraduate degree?
(2) Is there a minimum course load for full-time graduate students?
(3) What performance opportunities are there for graduate students?
(4) Is there a time limit for pursuing a graduate degree from the Petrie School of Music?
1. Can I pursue a graduate degree in music without a music undergraduate degree?
Normally, a Bachelor of Music or a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree is required to pursue a Master of Music degree.
2. Is there a minimum course load for full-time graduate students?
The normal full load for a graduate student is 9 hours during the fall or spring term and 6 hours during the winter term.
3. What performance opportunities are there for graduate students?
Graduate students experience many exciting opportunities to perform through master classes with guest artists, solo recitals, the Converse Sinfonietta, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, Opera Theatre, Festival Chorus, and numerous chamber ensembles.
4. Is there a time limit for pursuing a graduate degree from the Petrie School of Music?
Candidates have six calendar years from the time of enrollment in the Graduate Program to complete the Master of Music degree. Students who change degree programs during this six-year period may be granted an extension after review and approval by the Music Curriculum Committee.
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