Concerts, Solos and Joint Recitals

Application and Preparation Information for Solo and Joint Recitals

Applications should be submitted during the semester preceding a required recital and will be considered on a first-come-first-served basis. Forms may be obtained from the applied instructor and should be reviewed by the same upon completion by the student.  All solo and joint recitals should be scheduled by mid-term of the semester prior to the recital date.

The student must request approval from the music faculty by presenting a pre-recital hearing. This request should be made to the applied teacher by the mid-term of the semester prior to the recital. The instructor will then schedule a date and time for the pre-recital hearing. A minimum of three faculty members will be required to evaluate the hearing, which  must be held no later than four weeks prior to the scheduled recital. All recitals must be approved by this procedure. With the consent of the assembled faculty, the student may be heard again two weeks prior to the recital date in order to successfully complete any areas of deficiency noted in the pre-recital hearing.

A student performing a pre-recital hearing should prepare typed copies of the proposed recital program, one for each member of the auditioning committee. The recital date and the students name (as it is to appear on the recital program) should head this page. All other information should be provided as it would appear on the finished program (see “Checklist for Preparing a Music Department Performance”). A one-page folded program of standard format will be used.  Failure to provide a fully-prepared, typed program at the pre-recital hearing may result in cancellation of the recital. In addition, the recital may be in jeopardy unless memorization is complete (where required) and unless all recital participants are properly prepared and rehearsed  prior to the hearing.

Copies of the music being performed should be supplied for each faculty member present at the pre-hearing. Xerox copies are acceptable for this purpose, and should be disposed of for recycling immediately following the hearing.

In addition to the recital program, students will submit a completed “Press Release Form” which will be forwarded by the Music Department to the Director of Communications.

Music Majors are required to register for JUNIOR or SENIOR RECITAL (2 credit hours) at the beginning of the semester in which the recital is to be performed. This is in lieu of the applied lesson enrollment for that semester. Upon completion of the recital the music faculty in attendance shall determine the letter grade to be awarded. This grade will then be forwarded to the registrar and placed upon the student’s official transcript.

The student is also responsible for securing an accompanist if one is required for the recital. The accompanist  must be approved by the music faculty if not a member of the faculty or other approved accompanist, and should receive from the student an appropriate accompanist fee upon completion of the recital. The student should receive a minimum of 6 hours of the accompanist’s time for rehearsals and performance.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Should the student fail the required pre-hearing, a grade of "F" will be assigned for the course for the semester. The student must begin the Junior or Senior Recital process again, and may be assigned new repertoire to perform.

The Senior Recital should occur in the semester prior to student teaching for music education majors and in the final semester of study for the music major.  See the section entitled "Recital Information" for important specific requirements regarding the Senior Recital.

All recital material must be approved by the private instructor.

Preparing for Recitals

Two to three months before the recital date, the student and his/her studio teacher should reserve extra rehearsal time in the performance hall. The Hoag Hall manager assists in the signing up of all rehearsal (including dress rehearsal) hours. It is more beneficial to spread these rehearsals out over a longer period of time to attain greater familiarity with and ease of performance in the hall rather than to rehearse in the auditorium only in the weeks directly preceding the recital. (Please see the heading "Reserving the Hall" for the amount of time which may be scheduled.)

In preparing a printed program, program notes will be allowed only if they seek to clarify areas of the musical performance that aid the listener. Subjective reflections on the meaning of the music to the student are  unacceptable, as are drawings or clip art of any kind. Standard program formats, standard lighting, and traditional stage arrangements are used for all recitals. (Stage decorations such as floral arrangements or potted plants are permitted.) It should also be noted that academic recitals do not include encores.  Deviations from the approved program could result in a failing grade. The student should dress appropriately for the pre-recital hearing, as for all performance opportunities.

Students who are performing joint recitals will need to coordinate their efforts with the assistance of the private studio teacher(s). Seniors who wish to host a reception following the recital should also arrange for friends to prepare and serve, so that both the performer and his/her parents are free to enjoy the recital and the reception.

On the day of the dress rehearsal, pick up several programs to give to any persons who have been invited to attend the rehearsal. (A small audience is good preparation for a recital.) Ask someone who will be attending your dress rehearsal to time every selection accurately and write this information clearly on one of the programs. Give this to the person who will be in charge of taping the program. On a separate program, make notes for the stage manager regarding any movement of chairs, stands, piano lid or rack, lights to be turned up or down, etc. (Small masking tape markers on the stage floor may also be used to give additional help to the backstage assistant but please be sure these are removed immediately following your recital to avoid damage to the finish on the stage flooring.) The stage manager should be given your information prior to the recital to 'walk through" the program and to seek answers for any questions that may arise.

Dress rehearsals should be performed in the same clothing that will be worn at the recital. Evening recitals are generally performed in formal clothing. Daytime recitals are generally performed in semi-formal clothing or in Sunday dress. Costumes of any kind are inappropriate.  If flash pictures are desired, they should be taken at the dress rehearsal. Plan and practice all entrances, bows, and exits. If receiving flowers is anticipated, practice handling this as well. Ask the stage crew to arrive early on the recital day to insure that doors are open, programs are ready, the stage is set, etc. Having prepared sufficiently in advance, be ready to enjoy a fine performance!

Recordings of Recitals and Concerts

Recordings are made of all public concerts and recitals. Duplication is available to students who provide a blank cassette tape or compact disc.

Requirements for Recital Attendance and Departmental Recitals

The one o'clock hour on Thursday afternoon is reserved for Music Symposium, which may include seminars, studio classes, meetings, and recitals.  Enrollment and attendance is required of all music majors (see the heading “Music Symposium” above). Most events, with the exception of studio classes held with the student’s private teacher, are held in Hoag Hall. Attendance at the Thursday afternoon Music Symposium is a part of the attendance requirement and course sequence leading to the degree for all majors and minors. Music education majors are exempt from this requirement during the student teaching semester.

Students must attend a requisite number of recitals, concerts and other musical events each semester. Failure to attend the requisite number of events will jeopardize the students standing in the department including the scholarship award, and will also result in the lowering of the applied grade. A calendar of events will be published no later than the second week of each semester. Each student must sign in and out at each scheduled event. ONE event in which the student is a participant may count towards fulfilling this requirement. Events not published in the approved calendar MAY count toward fulfilling this requirement, but must be approved IN ADVANCE by the applied instructor.