Conservatory of Music

Individual, In-person Instruction

Private instruction is available for most all instruments and voice. Theory and musicianship classes are also available. Please consult the course calendar each semester for class offerings and availability.

Private Lessons Schedule for the Academic Calendar Year 2023-2024 will include the following:

Composition, Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Guitar, Voice and Percussion. The calendar includes a 28-week lesson schedule from August through May.

Student recital opportunities are offered throughout the year. Teachers will encourage their students to participate in these recitals for goal setting and in preparation for other festivals organized by local and state music teacher organizations. All students are encouraged to participate in local and state performance evaluations, and other group activities organized by the Millsaps Conservatory.

Student performance evaluations may be scheduled at the end of the spring semester.

Summer private lessons — Please consult with your teacher for availability. Students might like to try out a new instrument during the summer, or to receive extra lessons or training in preparation for the coming year. Payment is based on per-lesson fee.

Parents may request to observe their child’s lesson at any time during the semester. Please consult with your instructor before attending a lesson. Lesson observation allows for parents to discuss the progress and share future plans for their child’s course of study.

• Parents and students will work with individual instructors to schedule weekly lessons.
• Studio space. Lessons will be taught in the Music Department on the campus of Millsaps College in the Academic Complex building.
• Waiting Room. Millsaps Conservatory of Music students and family members may use the Music Department Student Lounge located on the second floor of the Academic Complex as a waiting room area. However, please be aware that many college students use this space to study. We ask that all conservatory students and family members to respect the space if the college students ask for quiet.
• One parent or family member is allowed to attend lessons for pedagogical reasons when younger students are involved.
• Health Screening List: Music teachers should instruct students not to come to the music studio lesson if they have flu-like symptoms, gastrointestinal upset or a cold. Please respect the fact that music instruction takes place in a small space. When a student is ill, teachers will allow parents to reschedule their lessons.

Chamber Music Camp

The Millsaps College Summer Chamber Music Camp is a week-long camp for young artists, created to promote and encourage the development of string and piano chamber music performance. Seventh through 12th grader students will have the opportunity to work with Millsaps faculty, performing artists and members of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, in a supportive atmosphere of collaborative music-making. The daily schedule includes ensemble coaching, classes, rehearsals, master classes and noonday performances by the artist faculty.

Prior to camp, each student will be placed in two ensembles, according to their level of performance and study. Students will be sent their ensemble music for study and preparation with their private teachers. During the camp, the faculty will work on this special material with each ensemble and in master classes. Ensembles will also be given time to rehearse on their own and as a group during the week.

Admission & Tuition

Student performers must have at least 2 years of experience in private lessons, or instrumentalists must have at least 3 years of experience in orchestra.

For Private Lessons, Musicianship Classes and Chamber Ensembles
As part of the registration process, the tuition fee for private lessons can be paid in full at the beginning of each semester in August and January, in one of two ways:

1. By check
2. Online with a credit or debit card

Checks should be made out to Millsaps College and sent to:
Millsaps Conservatory of Music, c/o Rachel Heard,
Millsaps College, 1701 North State St,  Jackson, MS 39210.

Please see the withdrawal policy below.

Fall and Spring Semester 2024–2025*

Semester Tuition for Musicianship Classes and Chamber Ensembles
Classes and Ensemble tuition must be paid in full at the beginning of the semester.

Lessons missed by the student are made up at the discretion of the instructor. Please see Attendance Policies and Withdrawal Policy for Classes or Lessons for details.

* If you have any questions about tuition payment and the possibility of making monthly payments, please contact Dr. Rachel Heard.

** Student teachers are available for piano only. Before registering for a student teacher, please contact Dr. Rachel Heard for more information.

Attendance & Withdrawal Policies

• Students are expected to regularly attend all lessons, classes and ensemble rehearsals, and must notify the teacher 24 hours in advance of any absences. Since the teacher has reserved a weekly lesson or class time for each student, the teacher is not required to make up a lesson missed by the student due to illness, vacation, schedule conflict, etc. If a teacher has time available during their regular teaching hours, a courtesy make-up lesson may be offered, but only at the discretion of the teacher.
• If a teacher cancels a lesson/class or if MCM closes for any reason, a make-up lesson/class will be offered. In addition, a credit is not available for make-up lessons or classes that are agreed upon and then missed by the student.
• When illness is involved, please be responsible. Students should not attend lessons, classes or rehearsals if they are ill and/or contagious. If a teacher determines that the student is too ill to have a lesson, they have the right to send the student home.
• Exceptions to these policies will certainly be considered in the rare case of serious illness or other emergency situations and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Students and parents who register for lessons or classes at the Millsaps Conservatory of Music must commit to continuing their studies for the full semester.

Withdrawal by the student from lessons or a class can only be made before the conclusion of the fourth week of classes each semester to receive a partial refund (fall semester — Monday, September 9, 2024; spring semester — Monday, February 10, 2025). Students will be responsible for paying for the number of lessons received up until (and including) the fourth week of the semester. After the fourth week of classes, students will be responsible for the entire semester of tuition. If you would like to discontinue your class or ensemble studies at Millsaps Conservatory of Music, you will need to let us know before September 9, 2024, to receive a partial refund for the fall semester, and February 10, 2025, to receive a partial refund for the spring semester.

Millsaps Conservatory of Music will discontinue lessons under the following circumstances:

1. Nonpayment, or late/insufficient funds payment of tuition.
2. More than 4 lessons missed without a valid excuse.