Want an A? Play an Instrument? Take This Class

For the past six semesters, Sue Y. Chi '01 has taken the same course for credit.

Sound like an error the Registrar's Office hasn't spotted? Chi is actually one of dozens taking advantage of the option to take chamber music classes Music 91r or Music 93r multiple times.

Music 91r is open only to students who perform with a campus musical group under the regular instruction of a faculty member. Only members of Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra (HRO) can take Music 93r.

"[93r] is a great outlet for people who don't have many groups to play in. I'm a flutist and, for wind players, [93r] is the only place besides HRO where we can play and perform," Chi says.

Part of the classes' requirements is that students remain in "good standing" with HRO or the group that granted the student eligibility for the chamber music class.

Students must also attend practices with at least one smaller group--groups like quartets and quintets--which receive regular coaching from a faculty member and perform at semester's end. Students in 91r must also write a final paper.

Unusual in that part of students' grades stems from their involvement in an extracurricular activity, the existence of the classes has, from time to time, elicited grumbles from envious students.

The disproportionately high number of As awarded in the class doesn't help. One instructor estimates that 75 percent of course participants get As in the class and no one gets lower than a B.

But students and Faculty who are involved with the courses are quick to point out the benefits and validity of the classes.

Thomas G. Everett, conductor of the Harvard Wind Ensemble (HWE) and one of the faculty coaches for 91r, says working in a smaller group encourages students to develop their musicality.

"Chamber music is a different experience," Everett says. "In chamber music you become the decision maker and everyone is responsible for interpreting the music, whereas in a larger ensemble the conductor is the only interpreter."

He adds that the classes provide valuable structure for serious musicians.

"My sense is that most of these students would initiate these activities with or without 91r," Everett says. "But with 91r, under faculty direction, their goals, focus and progress are monitored, nurtured, challenged and evaluated by faculty and experienced musicians."

HWE Co-manager Katherine F. Stewart '02, who plays the French horn in a 91r brass quintet, says the material learned in the classes changes each semester.

"Last year we played late Romantic music, and now we're concentrating on Baroque music," Stewart says. "[91r] also enhances our performance skills. Last year we played at Arts First, and we just got back from playing in New York last weekend."

Others say the hours students put into the class--several students estimated that they spend a minimum of 10 hours per week on the course--justifies getting credit semester after semester.

HRO President Laura M. Bacon '02 says her past experience in the class more than justifies its credit-giving position.

"I would definitely stress that you were working as hard as you would for a regular class," Bacon says. "People work for it and prepare for it and put as much thought into it as you would another class.

Bacon also points out that students who do not play in an on-campus musical group can take Music 180r, "Performance and Analysis." Like Music 91r and 93r, the seminar can be taken repeatedly.

Still, the unusually high proportion of As given out raises a few eyebrows.

"There are people who have received less than an A, but they have to really screw up," says HRO Conductor and 93r supervisor James Yannatos.

Everett acknowledges the disproportionately high percentage of As awarded in the course, but says the classes' self-selecting nature explains the grades.

"Because the students are self-motivated in a project of their own choosing and in an area of their special interest...the students generally throw 100 percent of themselves into these special opportunities," he says.

Yannatos says that effort accounts for much of the high grades.

"It's really difficult to grade someone badly when they've poured a lot of time, a lot of effort and gone to many rehearsals," he says. "If they're very dedicated, they deserve good grades."

While few students outside HRO and musical groups like the HWE know of the classes, Yannatos says the 91r chamber music class has existed at Harvard for at least 25 years.

The class was formerly open to both HRO members and students in other campus musical groups until 93r was formed specifically for HRO members a few years ago to accommodate growing demand and to facilitate grading.

This year, about half of HRO's members are enrolled in 93r, a number Yannatos says is slightly higher than last year. He estimates that half of those taking 93r have taken the class before.

For those still wary about accepting the classes as completely legitimate, Yannatos suggests a trip to Sanders Theatre.

"Anybody who has questions should come to the concerts. They're pretty phenomenal," Yannatos says.