Returning Students Frequently Asked Questions:

Percussion Department

College Policies and Administrative Procedures

• How do I change my principal instrument?

First, go to the Counseling Center and complete a “Change of Principal Instrument” application.  Then take this form to your Department Chair of Assistant Chair for a signature.  Changing your principal instrument can be done at any time, but, remember that you will most likely be asked to audition on your new instrument.  The audition served to properly level you and to assign you an ensemble rating on your new instrument.

• With whom do I discuss switching to the Performance Major?

Please see the Performance Division advisor (Jim Odgren).  Got to suite 5J, on the 5th floor of the 1140 building to make and appointment.

• How do I go about booking a recital hall?

Please go to the Concert Office in the lobby of the 1140 building.

• What is the Cancellation policy if a faculty member misses a private lesson?

Teachers are required to make up lessons and/or make up materials in a fashion satisfactory to the student as long as the cancellation is initiated by the faculty member.

• When should I sign up for a date and venue for my Senior Recital performance?

Please schedule your Senior Recital with the Concert Office (located in the lobby of the 1140 Boylston St building) as early as possible in the semester prior to the one in which you will be performing.  Failure to do so could result in the postponement of  your recital to a later semester.  The Concert Office will provide you with a date and venue.  Please note that if you need timpani, mallet instruments and/or other large pieces of percussion, you must schedule your recital at the David Friend Recital Hall.

Department Academic and Administrative Procedures

• What’s on my Final Exam?

The Final Exam Criteria for each level of exam, and each major, can be found in the student handbook, which is posted on the Berklee website.

• What is department policy on advance placement (CBX) for private instruction levels 1-4?

Credit By Exam (CBX) is generally not available for private lessons, ensembles or labs.  Participation and residencies are mandatory in all of these.  However, a CBX might be granted for private lessons to those students who have advanced places on their entering placement exams and need to line up their residency requirements for levels 1-4.  To receive consideration for CBX, a student is expected to perform well beyond the minimum criteria for the exam level in question and must be recommended by her or his private instructor to the char.  In most cases, a student needing to advance place will be identified at the time of her/his entering audition.

• What is department policy on advance placement (CBX) for private instruction levels 5-8?

There are no CBX for levels 5-8.  For any consideration of a CBX for levels 5-8, a student must petition the Department Chair.

• What is the department policy on advance placement of Drum Labs 1-4?

CBX’s are not available for Drum Labs 1-4 because there are required labs.  Students are placed into the appropriate level lab at the entering audition.  Students are always expected to perform well beyond the minimum criteria of the lab.

• Who do I see when a class is at its maximum population?

First, ask the faculty member teaching the class if they are willing to overpopulate the class.  If she/he is wiling to overpopulate the class, secure a note or have them send an email to the Chair, Assistant Chair, and Administrative Assistant.  Next, see the Percussion Department administrative assistant in room 13 of the Uchida building basement, or your Chair/Assistant chair.  Classes may be overpopulated by only 1 student; the determination is made based on the classroom’s capacity.

• Can I reserve a slot with my private instructor before Registration?

No.

• Can I register for classes over the phone?

No.

• How do I sign up for my private lesson final exam?

See the percussion department administrative assistant for sign up dates and times.

• What are the required labs for each major?

The required labs for each major are listed in the Percussion Department Handbook.

Lessons and Ratings

• When and how do I switch teachers for lessons or labs?

You may switch teachers for private lessons only during the Registration period.  However, you may switch sections of labs and classes either at Registration or during add/drop.

• What do the numbers of my ratings stand for?

Digit 1 = Reading

Digit 2 = Instrumental skills

Digit 3 = Improvisation

Digit 4 = Rhythmic interpretation

Digit 5 = Overall rating

Tutors, Advising and Counseling

• Where do I go if I’m having trouble with the execution of the material in a class or a lab?