The Music Performance major provides the potential professional performer (musician) and/or teacher with the finest instrumental/vocal training within the context of a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum. Individual study with artist-teachers enables each student to achieve a high level of proficiency on the major instrument (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, guitar, keyboard, voice), and a high level of participation in ensembles provides performance experience and a broad knowledge of the literature. Specialized coursework develops the expertise in reading, writing, analysis, musical styles, and performance practices, which marks the professional performer/teacher (musician). The department provides applied instruction and coursework in performance for music majors and minors, as well as for all qualified students of the University.
Admission as a Music Performance Major
A student is accepted for the bachelor of music degree program in music performance by successfully passing an audition with the appropriate area faculty. This audition may be held at the time of the initial College of Musical Arts audition or during the course of degree study. Continuance and/or acceptance as a music performance major is dependent on jury approval each semester. Acceptance as a performance major later than the freshman year may necessitate studies beyond the fourth year to meet repertoire and performance standards.
Jury Examinations
Information on jury examinations can be found in the College of Musical Arts Student Handbook.
Sophomore Performance Review
At the end of the fourth semester of applied lessons, students are evaluated during the jury exam for advancement to upper division applied study (4000 level). If a student does not pass this Sophomore Performance Review, the student may enroll again in 2000 level applied study the following semester and may take the Sophomore Performance Review again. Written comments describing issues that need to be addressed and a remediation plan will be provided to the student. A student who fails the Sophomore Performance Review a second time will be denied future registration in applied instruction. However, students may re-audition for entrance into applied study by submitting a request for audition during one of the scheduled College of Musical Arts audition days. Students should consult their applied instructor for any specific performance requirements for the Sophomore Performance Review.
Recital Requirement
At least one full recital is required of all performance majors. This is usually given in the senior year. Permission to perform a recital is granted by the appropriate performance studies faculty and is based upon the successful completion of a recital jury. A student must be registered for applied study during the semester the recital is presented. Students in the piano specialization must present at least a half-recital in either the sophomore or junior year.
Piano Proficiency
Applied piano instruction is required of all music performance majors. A prerequisite to individual applied instruction is class piano, , or equivalent. (See coordinator of class piano for placement assessment.) In addition, majors in brass, guitar, harp, percussion, strings, voice, and woodwinds are required to demonstrate piano proficiency through examination. The examination, which is to be scheduled through the keyboard coordinator during the final semester of applied piano study, consists of satisfactory performance of one Baroque, one Classical, and one Romantic or contemporary composition. One work is to be memorized.
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