How to Take Music Lessons or Join an Ensemble at Stanford

Updated

The Stanford Department of Music offers two main paths for hands-on music-making: individual lessons and ensembles. Both are accessed through the department website at music.stanford.edu, where the homepage features dedicated Take Lessons and Find an Ensemble entry points. The key practical step is timing: the department announces auditions for ensembles and music lessons as news items, so you need to watch for those openings rather than assuming you can sign up at any time.

Taking Music Lessons

The department's Take Lessons section is the starting point for individual instruction. Based on the site's structure, lessons are organized around instrument and voice areas taught by faculty and affiliated instructors.

What to do:

  1. Go to music.stanford.edu and select Take Lessons.
  2. Review the lesson offerings and any stated requirements or fees (the homepage excerpt does not list pricing, so check the lesson page directly).
  3. Watch for the audition announcement. The department posted a news item titled "Auditions Open for Ensembles and Music Lessons" — this is the signal that the sign-up window is open.
  4. Follow the audition or placement instructions given in that announcement.

A reasonable expectation: lessons are not a walk-in service. The department pairs students with instructors, and the audition notice is how that process begins.

Joining an Ensemble

The Find an Ensemble entry leads to the department's performance groups. The site's news and events show the range of activity:

  • Stanford Flute Ensemble — performed at a national convention (news item).
  • Guitar students, violin students, and piano students of named faculty — featured in the Noon Concert Series.
  • Low Frequency Trio — new works by Stanford graduate composers, performed at CCRMA.
  • Zozulka Trio — a Slavic languages and literatures event at Campbell Recital Hall.

These examples indicate ensembles span classical instrumental groups, student performance studios, and contemporary/computer-based music at CCRMA.

What to do:

  1. Go to music.stanford.edu and select Find an Ensemble.
  2. Identify the ensemble(s) matching your instrument or interest.
  3. Check the "Auditions Open for Ensembles and Music Lessons" news item for the audition window.
  4. Prepare and attend the audition as instructed.

Key Dates and Where to Find Them

The department publishes auditions and performances through its News and Events sections. The relevant pattern from the site:

Item What it tells you
"Auditions Open for Ensembles and Music Lessons" (news) The sign-up/audition window is open
Noon Concert Series (events) Student performance opportunities, typically in Campbell Recital Hall
Ron Alexander Memorial Lectures in Musicology (events) Scholarly side of the department, not performance sign-up

Most performances and auditions take place at Braun Music Center, 541 Lasuen Mall (Campbell Recital Hall, Room 103) or The Knoll, 660 Lomita Court (CCRMA Stage).

Practical Notes

  • Timing matters most. The department announces auditions as news, so check the site's News section regularly rather than only at the start of a term.
  • Lessons and ensembles share one audition announcement. The same news item covers both, so one check covers both paths.
  • Contact and location details are on the site; the homepage lists Braun Music Center and CCRMA as the primary venues.
  • Pricing is not stated in the available homepage content. Check the specific lesson or ensemble page for any fees or enrollment conditions.

If you are a current or incoming Stanford student, start at music.stanford.edu, open Take Lessons or Find an Ensemble, and look for the current audition notice before the term begins.