The Curtis Institute of Music

Curtis Mourns the Loss of Orlando Cole

The Curtis Institute of Music mourns the loss of beloved emeritus faculty member Orlando Cole, who passed away at age 101. Among the students who entered the Curtis Institute of Music on the day its doors first opened in 1924, "Landy" had a profound impact on music in the twentieth century both as the cellist of the Curtis String Quartet and as a teacher at Curtis for over fifty years. His former students can be found throughout the world in major orchestras, chamber ensembles, and on the recital stage. We will miss him deeply and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and former students.

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Student Expenses and Budget

Student Fees
Other Expenses
Estimated Student Budget for 2009-10

STUDENT FEES

Annual Fees

Comprehensive fee 1 (includes all text books) Bachelor of Music program All other programs of study		$1,300 $1,200

Health services fee 2		$900

Health insurance 3		$2,450

Internet/e-mail fee 4		$90

One-Time Fees and Deposits

Library deposit		$100

Piano deposit (if applicable)		$200

Instrument deposit (other than piano)		$100

Graduation fee 5		$125

1.	Payable by new students upon admission and by returning students at registration. A late fee of $100 will be charged if not paid by registration.
2.	Payable prior to or at registration, this fee pays for primary physical and emotional health care needs (see Physical and Emotional Health Care below).
3.	See Health Insurance below.
4.	Payable by new students upon admission and by returning students at registration.
5.	Payable at the beginning of the spring term for students expecting to graduate at the end of that term; the fee covers the costs of cap and gown rental and related expenses.

Physical and Emotional Health Care.The health services fee (above) provides Curtis students with access to the University of Pennsylvania Student Health Service for primary physical health care. Initial emotional and psychological counseling is provided by a private psychologist.

Health Insurance.Curtis requires all students to have adequate health care insurance for twelve months each year. The Institute offers a comprehensive student health insurance policy designed especially for Curtis students at an estimated cost of $2,450. All Curtis students are automatically charged for this plan. Students may request exemption from the Curtis plan and its cost if they feel that a parental or private health insurance plan provides adequate protection while they are attending Curtis. To seek an exemption, students must present prior to registration: (a) proof of coverage for the twelve months beginning September 1 and (b) a copy of their plan’s Summary Plan Description (SPD) or Schedule of Benefits that details the actual coverage. These materials will be reviewed and students will be notified if their private plan provides comparable coverage. The student and parents will each be required to sign a release form acknowledging their sole responsibility for any uninsured medical expenses. If, after review, the private plan is found to be inadequate, the student will be advised to enroll in the Curtis plan. If the student still chooses to be exempt from the Curtis plan, the student and parents will be required to sign the release form.

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OTHER EXPENSES
Living Accommodations. As Curtis does not provide dormitory or food-service facilities, students need to make their own housing arrangements. Apartments in various price ranges are available near Curtis. Upon acceptance, students will be given materials to assist them in their search for suitable housing. Curtis does lease a number of two-bedroom apartments to first-year students.

Students under sixteen years of age are required to have a parent or adult guardian living with them. The school encourages all students under eighteen to live with a parent, guardian, or older student. There are a limited number of two-bedroom apartments (double occupancy) close to Curtis for which first-year students have priority. Please contact the assistant director of student financial assistance at 215-717-3188 or veronica.mcauley@curtis.edu for information.

Piano Moving and Tuning. Students majoring in piano, organ, harpsichord, composition, or conducting who are lent a Curtis piano must pay a $200 security deposit, the cost of moving the piano from the Institute to their apartment, and the cost of returning the piano to Curtis. The moving expense varies depending on the distance between the apartment, and Curtis, plus the degree of difficulty of moving the piano into the apartment. The range of moving expense is approximately $150 to $500 each way. Curtis will pay for the first piano tuning, but students must cover costs of any additional tuning and repairs.

High-School Tuition (Pre-Collegiate Students Only). Students pursuing elementary- or high-school academic work at an accredited public or private school must make their own arrangements for the payment of tuition and fees for that school. Expenses vary considerably. Financial aid is available at most private schools. Limited funding based on need may be available from Curtis.

Click here for descriptions of Financial Assistance Policies, including Curtis's merit-based full-tuition scholarships.

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ESTIMATED STUDENT BUDGET FOR 2009-10

Basic living expenses 1	Per Month	Per 9-Month School Year
Rent (1-bedroom apartment)	$950	$8,850

Electric, gas & water	$125	$1,125

Telephone	$120	$1,080

Food	$350	$3,150

Clothing	$60	$540

Instrument maintenance	$125	$1,125

Instructional supplies	$50	$450

Laundry	$30	$270

Personal recreation	$125	$1,125

Miscellaneous	$55	$495
Subtotal	$1,990	$17,910

Annual Student Fees 1
Comprehensive fee (includes all text books) Bachelor of Music program All other programs of study		$1,300 $1,200

Health services fee		$900

Health insurance, if required 2		$2,450

Internet/e-mail fee		$90
Subtotal		$4,740

Total Estimated 9-Month Cost (September 1, 2009-May 31, 2010) 3		$22,650

1 These costs do not include library deposit, apartment security deposit, apartment furnishing, piano or instrument deposit, or piano moving expense (if applicable), etc. See "Student Fees" for details.
2 See "Health Insurance" for details.
3 Students are responsible for their own summer expenses.

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