On behalf of the Music Department, welcome to Carleton College! We encourage you to continue to develop your interest in music as part of your studies. A third of Carleton students enroll in Music Department classes, ensembles, chamber groups and private lessons in addition to their three 6-credit courses every term. To find out more about the opportunities offered by the Music Department, explore the website!

Tell Us About Your Musical Interests

We encourage you to fill out the Music Interest Form to indicate your interest in music lessons and/or ensembles. Incoming students interested in joining ensembles and / or taking private lessons should complete this form. After you fill it out, a faculty member will be in touch with you in August to provide more information and resources. 

This form opens to all new students in July and will close at the end of New Student Week.

Please note:  This form does not register you for ensembles or lessons. You need to register for these during your regular course registration in Workday.

Music Fest

For information about private lessons, ensembles, and classroom courses, please come to MUSIC FEST during New Student Week. Music Fest takes place on Wednesday during New Student Week from 1:45-3:00 PM in the Kracum Performance Hall, Weitz Center for Creativity. You will meet the music faculty, get to know other students interested in music, and learn how to get involved.

Ensemble Auditions and Music Lesson Placement

The following links contain information about auditions and placement during New Student Week.

Ensemble Auditions (Orchestra, Symphony Band, Choir, Jazz Ensembles)

Private Lesson Placement (Strings, Voice, & Piano Lessons)

Placement auditions are not required for wind, brass, and/or percussion music lessons. For more information about music lesson registration, see the Applied Music page

Coming Soon: New Student Week audition times and places.

Music Theory Placement

Students interested in taking musicianship and music theory classes should take the placement exams that can be found here.

Other Questions

If you have a question that wasn’t answered here or in our FAQ, please contact Kris Parker, Department Administrative Assistant, or the current Student Departmental Advisers.