FAQs
What is this program?
This is the New Jersey Music Institute (or NJMI), a division of the Hopewell Valley Community of Associated Music Projects, or HV CAMP. We are under the umbrella of HV CAMP, a 501(c)3 nonprofit located in the greater Hopewell Valley, New Jersey, that provides music-making opportunities to those who might not otherwise have them.
NJMI is a practical alternative to music education. It operates like a collegiate music department but without the politics and bureaucracy that plague higher education. The objective is to provide an educational opportunity that serves more like an apprenticeship than the simple regurgitation of philosophy. Courses are designed to show students why the material matters in their music career and how it will help them progress as musicians.
Is this designed only for college kids?
No! We welcome students of all ages and goals. Kids in high school will find the courses appropriately challenging and exciting as they look to solidify their musical foundation prior to potentially attending a traditional four-year school. High school graduates will find the courses to be an engaging alternative to community college courses. Prospective college students will feel adequately prepared to "place out" of general music requirements at other institutions of higher education. Amateur musicians will find the courses enriching as they supplement their musical skills. Musicians looking to enter the professional workforce will be trained to graduate quickly from apprenticeship.
When do your classes meet?
NJMI operates similar to a traditional college with fall and spring semesters. Each class is designed to meet once per week for one hour for ten weeks. We try to schedule our classes outside of normal 9am-5pm business hours so that students can "have a life."
How many classes do I take at a time?
The curriculum is designed so that students only need to take one course per semester. However, we are amenable to an accelerated study when conditions allow. Our goal is to allow students to succeed, not to burden them with expectations.
How many classes do I need to take to graduate?
Students will need to take eight courses to complete the course of study. The curriculum begins with four semesters of Music Theory. Following those courses, students must take two course clusters of their choosing. Each course cluster contains two courses.
What is considered a passing score in each class?
In general, any class that is graded with weighted assignments (i.e. like math exercises where each one is worth a number of points) and/or with an exam or exams requires a final grade of 80% or better. Many of these exams are "open book," so the chances of passing certainly increase. In some circumstances when a student finishes with a final grade between 60%-80%, students may be given the opportunity to complete additional work to raise their grade. Once a course is passed with 80% or better, the grade is recorded as "Pass."
When a class is not graded that way (such as with written assignments/papers, presentations, projects, and/or performance), grading is done with a simple "Pass/Fail" option.
Are you considered accredited?
As NJMI is a newer institute, we are built on a different set of principles that focus on the practical nature of the craft, focusing on the goal of helping musicians earn a practical living with music as opposed to just being "keepers of the flame" regarding the philosophy of the subject. Thus, we are not accredited in terms of the traditional definition of an educational institution.
However, our teachers have worked in both education and the professional world of music. They've taught individual instruction as well as large classes, ranging from public school through college. They've "been on the bandstand" and "in the business" for years, involved with groups such as the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), to name a few. They have all the same credentials and accolades as educators at other educational institutions, but they choose to teach at an institute that doesn't involve some of the nonsense that might be found at traditional colleges and universities.
Do you keep GPA?
No. The goal of NJMI is simply to provide students with the tools they will need to succeed as professional musicians, not to create a competitive environment within education.
Can I transfer credits from NJMI to another institution?
More than likely not. As NJMI is not accredited, it is unlikely that credits will transfer or that you will be automatically excused from taking certain courses at another institution. However, the education received at NJMI should adequately prepare any student to take an appropriate placement exam or exams at other institutions to determine if they can be excused from those classes.
What is the cost?
Each class costs $500 per student. Thus, students should expect to pay $4,000 for tuition of all eight classes, plus additional fees for books, supplies, and the like.
What do I receive when I graduate?
Upon the successful completion of your eighth and final course, you will receive the NJMI Certificate of Completion that denotes that you have passed the requisite courses required according to our curriculum.
What courses are required, and which are elective?
Students are required to take four classes of Music Theory (I-IV). After that, students must take two course clusters, and each cluster contains two courses. The clusters (and courses) are:
-History (Survey of Classical Music, Survey of Jazz)
-Entertainment (Survey of Video Game Music, Survey of Film Music)
-Songwriting (Composing, Arranging)
-Vocation (Music Business, Music Technology)
-Jazz (Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Studio)
-Education (Ensemble Direction and Pedagogy, Musical Theatre and Sound Design)
Can I mix and match my clusters?
You can choose any two of the six clusters, but you must complete the two courses in the cluster to receive credit for the cluster. In other words, you can't just randomly take four of the twelve courses listed; if you want credit for the Songwriting cluster, for example, you must take both Composing and Arranging.
Are there opportunities for Independent Study?
If a student wishes to take an Independent Study, the student should read our section on it and discuss it with the Executive Director.
What if I don't pass a course?
If you do not pass a course, you must re-register, pay, and re-take the course when it is offered again if you'd like credit for the course.
Do you offer any refunds or payment credits?
No. All sales are final. There are no refunds or credits if you miss a course. If you withdraw from a course at any time, you will not receive a refund, and you will not be able to apply payment to another course. Further, if you join a class late after the semester has begun, you will not receive a prorated tuition bill; you must pay the full amount.
What is the attendance requirement?
Although class attendance is critical to the understanding and successful completion of each course, you must attend a majority of the class meetings for each class to be eligible to pass each course whether absences are considered excused or not. Even if you suddenly go on tour with a world-class musician, if you miss five or more classes of Music Theory I, for example, you will be ineligible to pass the course, and you must re-register, pay, and re-take the course again to be eligible to receive credit for completing that course.
Further, some teachers place more emphasis on attendance and punctuality than others. Your best bet is to develop a habit of advanced and open communication with your teachers, as doing so can work in your favor when there are any areas of discrepancy.
How do I "place out" of a course?
If you believe you already have the knowledge and experience to "place out" of a course, please contact the Executive Director. A comprehensive exam will be administered at no charge for you for the course in question. You must pass the exam with an 80% or better, and the exam will not be "open book."
If you "place out" of a course, you will receive a passing grade for the course and not be required to pay for the course or take the course as part of your education. You will be considered to have completed the course for the purposes of prerequisites and completing your eight courses.
Am I eligible to "place out" of every course?
Students are eligible to "place out" of Music Theory I and Music Theory II. If a student wishes to "place out" of Music Theory III and/or Music Theory IV, they may do so, but then students will be required to complete a third course cluster regardless of whether they place out of just Music Theory III or both Music Theory III and IV.
What should my instrument proficiency be?
Most students at NJMI play at least one instrument already when they enroll. Many elements of the courses will use the piano to demonstrate certain skills, so it is good to have at least a basic understanding of the piano by the time you complete Music Theory I. (You will more than likely achieve this during that course if you don't already have it.) We don't expect you to be a proficient master of the instrument, but we do believe a general understanding of it will help you greatly.
Are there opportunities for NJMI students to play in ensembles?
Yes. All NJMI students who have completed (or "placed out" of) Music Theory I and II are eligible to join any of the ensembles under the umbrella of HV CAMP. All registration fees and other applicable fees still apply.
Are there additional policies that apply to students?
Any policy that governs HV CAMP also governs NJMI and vice versa. Thus, if there is nothing noted in this FAQ section about a topic, please check the HV CAMP FAQ section as well to see if it is covered there. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have additional questions or require additional clarification.
What if I have more questions?
Email our Executive Director Jack Furlong at [email protected].
This is the New Jersey Music Institute (or NJMI), a division of the Hopewell Valley Community of Associated Music Projects, or HV CAMP. We are under the umbrella of HV CAMP, a 501(c)3 nonprofit located in the greater Hopewell Valley, New Jersey, that provides music-making opportunities to those who might not otherwise have them.
NJMI is a practical alternative to music education. It operates like a collegiate music department but without the politics and bureaucracy that plague higher education. The objective is to provide an educational opportunity that serves more like an apprenticeship than the simple regurgitation of philosophy. Courses are designed to show students why the material matters in their music career and how it will help them progress as musicians.
Is this designed only for college kids?
No! We welcome students of all ages and goals. Kids in high school will find the courses appropriately challenging and exciting as they look to solidify their musical foundation prior to potentially attending a traditional four-year school. High school graduates will find the courses to be an engaging alternative to community college courses. Prospective college students will feel adequately prepared to "place out" of general music requirements at other institutions of higher education. Amateur musicians will find the courses enriching as they supplement their musical skills. Musicians looking to enter the professional workforce will be trained to graduate quickly from apprenticeship.
When do your classes meet?
NJMI operates similar to a traditional college with fall and spring semesters. Each class is designed to meet once per week for one hour for ten weeks. We try to schedule our classes outside of normal 9am-5pm business hours so that students can "have a life."
How many classes do I take at a time?
The curriculum is designed so that students only need to take one course per semester. However, we are amenable to an accelerated study when conditions allow. Our goal is to allow students to succeed, not to burden them with expectations.
How many classes do I need to take to graduate?
Students will need to take eight courses to complete the course of study. The curriculum begins with four semesters of Music Theory. Following those courses, students must take two course clusters of their choosing. Each course cluster contains two courses.
What is considered a passing score in each class?
In general, any class that is graded with weighted assignments (i.e. like math exercises where each one is worth a number of points) and/or with an exam or exams requires a final grade of 80% or better. Many of these exams are "open book," so the chances of passing certainly increase. In some circumstances when a student finishes with a final grade between 60%-80%, students may be given the opportunity to complete additional work to raise their grade. Once a course is passed with 80% or better, the grade is recorded as "Pass."
When a class is not graded that way (such as with written assignments/papers, presentations, projects, and/or performance), grading is done with a simple "Pass/Fail" option.
Are you considered accredited?
As NJMI is a newer institute, we are built on a different set of principles that focus on the practical nature of the craft, focusing on the goal of helping musicians earn a practical living with music as opposed to just being "keepers of the flame" regarding the philosophy of the subject. Thus, we are not accredited in terms of the traditional definition of an educational institution.
However, our teachers have worked in both education and the professional world of music. They've taught individual instruction as well as large classes, ranging from public school through college. They've "been on the bandstand" and "in the business" for years, involved with groups such as the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), to name a few. They have all the same credentials and accolades as educators at other educational institutions, but they choose to teach at an institute that doesn't involve some of the nonsense that might be found at traditional colleges and universities.
Do you keep GPA?
No. The goal of NJMI is simply to provide students with the tools they will need to succeed as professional musicians, not to create a competitive environment within education.
Can I transfer credits from NJMI to another institution?
More than likely not. As NJMI is not accredited, it is unlikely that credits will transfer or that you will be automatically excused from taking certain courses at another institution. However, the education received at NJMI should adequately prepare any student to take an appropriate placement exam or exams at other institutions to determine if they can be excused from those classes.
What is the cost?
Each class costs $500 per student. Thus, students should expect to pay $4,000 for tuition of all eight classes, plus additional fees for books, supplies, and the like.
What do I receive when I graduate?
Upon the successful completion of your eighth and final course, you will receive the NJMI Certificate of Completion that denotes that you have passed the requisite courses required according to our curriculum.
What courses are required, and which are elective?
Students are required to take four classes of Music Theory (I-IV). After that, students must take two course clusters, and each cluster contains two courses. The clusters (and courses) are:
-History (Survey of Classical Music, Survey of Jazz)
-Entertainment (Survey of Video Game Music, Survey of Film Music)
-Songwriting (Composing, Arranging)
-Vocation (Music Business, Music Technology)
-Jazz (Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Studio)
-Education (Ensemble Direction and Pedagogy, Musical Theatre and Sound Design)
Can I mix and match my clusters?
You can choose any two of the six clusters, but you must complete the two courses in the cluster to receive credit for the cluster. In other words, you can't just randomly take four of the twelve courses listed; if you want credit for the Songwriting cluster, for example, you must take both Composing and Arranging.
Are there opportunities for Independent Study?
If a student wishes to take an Independent Study, the student should read our section on it and discuss it with the Executive Director.
What if I don't pass a course?
If you do not pass a course, you must re-register, pay, and re-take the course when it is offered again if you'd like credit for the course.
Do you offer any refunds or payment credits?
No. All sales are final. There are no refunds or credits if you miss a course. If you withdraw from a course at any time, you will not receive a refund, and you will not be able to apply payment to another course. Further, if you join a class late after the semester has begun, you will not receive a prorated tuition bill; you must pay the full amount.
What is the attendance requirement?
Although class attendance is critical to the understanding and successful completion of each course, you must attend a majority of the class meetings for each class to be eligible to pass each course whether absences are considered excused or not. Even if you suddenly go on tour with a world-class musician, if you miss five or more classes of Music Theory I, for example, you will be ineligible to pass the course, and you must re-register, pay, and re-take the course again to be eligible to receive credit for completing that course.
Further, some teachers place more emphasis on attendance and punctuality than others. Your best bet is to develop a habit of advanced and open communication with your teachers, as doing so can work in your favor when there are any areas of discrepancy.
How do I "place out" of a course?
If you believe you already have the knowledge and experience to "place out" of a course, please contact the Executive Director. A comprehensive exam will be administered at no charge for you for the course in question. You must pass the exam with an 80% or better, and the exam will not be "open book."
If you "place out" of a course, you will receive a passing grade for the course and not be required to pay for the course or take the course as part of your education. You will be considered to have completed the course for the purposes of prerequisites and completing your eight courses.
Am I eligible to "place out" of every course?
Students are eligible to "place out" of Music Theory I and Music Theory II. If a student wishes to "place out" of Music Theory III and/or Music Theory IV, they may do so, but then students will be required to complete a third course cluster regardless of whether they place out of just Music Theory III or both Music Theory III and IV.
What should my instrument proficiency be?
Most students at NJMI play at least one instrument already when they enroll. Many elements of the courses will use the piano to demonstrate certain skills, so it is good to have at least a basic understanding of the piano by the time you complete Music Theory I. (You will more than likely achieve this during that course if you don't already have it.) We don't expect you to be a proficient master of the instrument, but we do believe a general understanding of it will help you greatly.
Are there opportunities for NJMI students to play in ensembles?
Yes. All NJMI students who have completed (or "placed out" of) Music Theory I and II are eligible to join any of the ensembles under the umbrella of HV CAMP. All registration fees and other applicable fees still apply.
Are there additional policies that apply to students?
Any policy that governs HV CAMP also governs NJMI and vice versa. Thus, if there is nothing noted in this FAQ section about a topic, please check the HV CAMP FAQ section as well to see if it is covered there. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have additional questions or require additional clarification.
What if I have more questions?
Email our Executive Director Jack Furlong at [email protected].