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First-Year Student FAQ

This page is meant to compile brief answers to frequently-asked questions from our incoming first-year students! We encourage you to fully explore the rest of the information available to you in the other pages of our website, as this page is not an exhaustive list, nor is it intended to replace reaching out to professors or the Department Coordinator as needed. We are here to help, and we look forward to make music with you!

How do I register for lessons?

  • Registration for lessons is done by signing up on a Google Form that is created each semester by the Music Department, and communicated out to students via the Mac Daily, physical posters with QR codes in the Music Building, and direct emails to new students that have filled out the Music Interest Form in the new student portal. Registration dates align with those on the Academic Calendar, with an extension back into Orientation for incoming students. These are the dates in which the Google Form will be open to responses. Additional information on Studio Instruction.
  • See our list of Faculty and Staff to find your instructor to indicate on the Google Form. IMPORTANT: Once you fill out the Google Form, you must also contact your instructor directly to schedule your actual lesson time.

How do I register for Keyboard Skills?

  • Registration for Keyboard Skills, a requirement for all Music Majors and Minors, is also done through the same Google Form process outlined above for lessons. HOWEVER, for Keyboard Skills you will not select your instructor on the Form. Instead, you will visit the Music Office (M201) during the first few days of the Add/Drop period to view available lesson times and select the one that best fits your schedule. This will determine your instructor, and your registration will be fully processed after this has been done.

How do I join an ensemble?

  • Each ensemble (descriptions here) may have a slightly different audition/membership process. When audition information has been sent to the Department Coordinator, it will be added to the Auditions webpage. If you filled out the Music Interest Form in the new student portal, you may also receive an email from ensemble directors with this information.
  • You do not need to register for ensembles through the catalog during your registration period. Ensemble directors submit their finalized rosters directly to the coordinator and registrar each semester, shortly after the Add/Drop period. This means there may be a delay between auditioning/beginning rehearsals and actually seeing an ensemble on your schedule.

Do I have to be a major or minor to take lessons or be in an ensemble?

  • No! Lessons and Ensembles are open to all Macalester students regardless of major or minor.


I’m a student-athlete. Can I still participate in an ensemble?


  • In many cases, YES! Contact the ensemble director directly to discuss your schedule.


Can I get Fine Arts credit for participating in lessons or an ensemble?

  • Yes! Participation in lessons on the same instrument for four consecutive semesters fulfills the Fine Arts general distribution requirement.
  • Yes! Participation in the same ensemble for four consecutive semesters fulfills the Fine Arts general distribution requirement.


I’m already at 18 credits. Can I still participate without paying an extra fee?


  • YES! Ensembles do not count against the 18-credit limit.
  • YES! Lessons do not count against the 18-credit limit.

I intend to major or minor in Music and need to register for Theory, but it says I need to take the Musicianship Placement Exam.

  • Yes! You can find information on the Musicianship Placement Exam here (also available in the left navigation sidebar of the Music Department Website under the About section), and reach out to Professor Victoria Malawey ([email protected]) with any questions.

I have an instrument I’d like to store on campus. Can I do this in the Music Department?

I need an instrument to play for my lesson or ensemble. Does Macalester have instruments I can borrow?

  • This is dependent on inventory and availability. Students must be enrolled in lessons or ensembles to borrow a Macalester instrument, and the instrument must be stored in a music locker when not in use. Please reach out to the Director of Instrumental Activities (Mark Mandarano, [email protected]; Fall 2026 director is Chi-Chi Bestmann at [email protected]) and/or the Department Coordinator (Mackenzie Stern, [email protected]) for further inquiries.