A short trip from Charles Village to Mt. Vernon and you're at one of the premiere music schools in the world.
For those interested in seriously pursuing music, be it voice or instrument lessons, participation in an ensemble or taking music classes, the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University has plenty to offer. A ten minute ride on the Hopkins shuttle is all that separates the Homewood campus from the breadth of art breathing in the Peabody Conservatory.
A simple completion of a cross registration form is all it takes for a Hopkins student to take full advantage of any and all musical opportunities at one of the world's most renowned music conservatories.
Lessons, ensembles and classes can all be taken advantage of by Hopkins students.
Lessons
For $150 students can take one-credit minor lessons with a Peabody professor that is distinguished in their instrument. After registration, the students must consult with the professor to arrange lesson times.
Classes
The following are just some of the classes that Peabody offers:
Music Theory I, II and III (Three credits): These courses examine what might be called the mathematics of music. Study of scales and relationships between chords and function in actual music are covered. In addition, Academic Advising will accept Music Theory as quantitative credit. Music lovers with an aversion to Calculus would be well advised to look into Music Theory I, II or III. Each Music Theory course has a different focus.
Theory I: Includes study of melody, counterpoint, figured bass, diatonic and chromatic harmony and analysis and composition of short monophonic and polyphonic pieces.
Music Theory II: Continuing studies of counterpoint and chromatic harmony. Analysis and composition of two- and three-part Baroque-style pieces, including fugue.
Music Theory III: Studies in larger forms of the common practice period. The following may be included: concerto, extended ternary forms, rondo, sonata and variation forms. Music for a variety of media will be examined.
Ear Training I and II (Two Credits): The Ear Training courses are more open and fun. Various exercises are utilized to train the student to clearly hear relationships between different pitches. Students study and sing melodies in solfege (do re mi fa sol la ti do). In addition, once a week, the teaching assistant gives a dictation in which the teaching assistant plays a melody on the piano and students are required to write out the melody on staff paper based on what they hear. Ear Training I is a prerequisite for Ear Training II.
History of Music I, II, III and IV: Basic history courses, each focusing on a different musical period. Upon talking to an adviser, History of Music classes can sometimes fulfill part of the history requirement on a major checklist. History of Music I, II, III and IV can be taken in any order - each class stands independently, with no prerequisite requirement. Each class's focus is as follows:
History of Music I: A study of music from classical antiquity through the Renaissance period.
History of Music II: A study of music from the Baroque period through the end of the eighteenth century.
History of Music III: A study of music in the nineteenth century.
History of Music IV: A study of music in the twentieth century.
Ensembles
Students may also take Chorus and audition for groups such as Peabody Singers. Orchestras and Wind Ensemble can also be taken by Hopkins students, although, just as with Peabody Singers and almost all ensembles, competition is high and admittance to the groups is selective. All ensembles participate in concerts throughout the year at the Peabody Institute.
An entire breakdown of lessons, courses and ensemble offerings can be seen in any Peabody course guide (available at JHU and Peabody registrars. JHU registrar: 410-516-8600, Peabody registrar: 410-659-4410) or online at http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/cons/courses.
