Students will receive private (one-to-one) instrumental or voice lessons and participate in studio performance opportunities. Private lessons are offered to support the RIT ensembles program, therefore only students who are active participants in an approved RIT ensemble will be eligible for lessons.

The development of music in the Western art tradition had a mutually influential relationship with the changes in construction and manufacturing of musical instruments. Recent research into the various and special sounds of instruments from different historical periods has been pivotal in new approaches to performance over the past quarter century (Historically Informed Performance). This course explores the historical development of musical instruments commonly used in performing Western art music, including various technologies influencing manufacturing techniques and construction, performing techniques, historical audience expectations of musical sound, and comparative performance practices.