"One would not want to make a distinction between what one does mechanically and what one does intellectually," says Professor of Music Thomas F. Kelly.

Performing for Grades

Although Harvard continues its tradition of emphasizing intellectual study rather than the performance of music, professors say that the department fosters support for performers in other ways.

Shelemay cites a program in which a limited number of students can do independent study with an outside instructor for elective credit with the permission of the department.

The only students eligible for independent study, however, are members of HRO, one of the four Holden choirs or students enrolled in a department course, thus excluding a good chunk of Harvard's music community.

Other departmental offerings include Levin's Music 180, one of two music classes in which students themselves perform regularly.

Even though 180 is sought after for its performance opportunities, theory and history inevitably make their way into the course work. Many students are surprised to find the course somewhat demanding academically with its attention to musicology.

Chen says that it is difficult for non-music concentrators who are not as well grounded in theory to do well in Music 180.

But Levin responds that a performer of music cannot merely enjoy performing or listening to music without truly understanding it. "Someone who wishes to spend a life doing this should have a deeper feeling [about music] when these issues come up," he says.

No Place to Play

The Music Department also supports performance by providing 20 practice rooms for student use.

Most music departments at other colleges, including Yale, do not provide these kinds of facilities, according to Shelemay.

Still, professors and students alike acknowledge that the number of practice rooms and ensemble spaces is grossly inadequate for the multitude of student performers.

"We are bursting at the seams," Yannatos says. "[Performers] are really so much involved in musical activities that space is always a problem."

Timing is also a problem for many students who want to use the practice rooms.