During the week, the rooms close at 9:15 p.m. and are only open for three hours on Saturdays. Given the hectic schedule of Harvard students, finding time to practice can be close to impossible.

House practice rooms solve some of the space and timing crunch, but the poor acoustics and out-of-tune pianos of some houses dismay many musicians.

"As performers we have a lot to contend with already," Chen says. "A lot of times it's very frustrating."

Filling the Gap

Performers at Harvard must draw on the resources of Harvard's houses and extracurricular community to find outlets for their music.

The music tutors in the houses are helpful in directing students towards good instructors and recital space.

Dunster House music tutor and Boston Symphony Orchestra cellist Owen Young tutors students in musical performance, theory and history, in addition to organizing House productions like the Dunster House Opera.

"If you have a very committed music tutor you can derive a lot of support from them," says Tom, who says she plays independently in chamber groups.

Harvard's array of orchestras, as well as the variety of independent groups on campus, offer any musician a chance to perform.

Yates says that the conducting opportunities at Harvard are especially incredible.

"It's pretty rare for somebody at the age of twenty to conduct an orchestra," he says.

What Lies Ahead

While many argue about the department's commitment to performance, almost everyone agrees that there has been an astounding growth in Harvard's musical community over the last few decades.

But professors are doubtful as to whether performance will come to play a strong role in the department itself.

At present, the size of facilities and faculty prohibits further expansion of performance.