Comprehensive Exam Committee

All graduate students will have a faculty comprehensive exam committee, set at the beginning of the second year of study. The committee will consist of three faculty members:

• Program Advisor
• The following Graduate Musicology/Theory faculty will serve each student’s comprehensive exam committee: Dr. Jessica Stearns and Dr. Judy Bozone

Students must complete the Comprehensive Exam Committee Form at the beginning of the semester of the scheduled exam to the Graduate Coordinator.

Recital Performance Committee

Students pursuing the Performance Degree will have a Recital Performance Committee in addition to the Comprehensive Exam Committee. Consult the Program Advisor for committee selection direction. The committee will consist of three faculty members:

1. Program Advisor
2. Student choice, as determined by the student and approved by the Program Advisor.
3. Student choice, as determined by the student and approved by the Program Advisor.

Students must complete the Recital Performance Committee Form no later than October 31st of the semester prior to the exam date and turn this form into the Graduate Coordinator.

Recital Hearing

All degree recitals require a “recital hearing” to be scheduled prior to the recital in order for the instructor to give final approval to move forward with the recital. The hearing will be graded Pass/Fail. Committee members will use the Recital Performance Scoring Rubric to determine their score. The rubric consists of explanations of Performance Technique, Musicianship/Interpretation, and Professionalism/Presence. The principal applied teacher is required to be present at the hearing and the recital. Two of the three committee members must evaluate the hearing and recital and at least two committee members should be in attendance at the hearing.

The recital hearing must be scheduled no less than 10 days before the recital date. While the hearing is recommended to occur in the performance venue, it is not required. If the student fails the hearing, or individual pieces at the hearing, another hearing must be scheduled or the recital can be cancelled/postponed. The primary instructor may cancel a student recital at any time for the following reasons:

• Lack of progress/preparation
• Failure to schedule a recital hearing, for degree recitals
• Failure to turn in the proper scheduling paperwork on time
• Failure to submit program or program notes (when applicable)
• Failure to cover accompanist fees (when applicable)

The scheduled dress rehearsal is merely a rehearsal and will not be graded by the committee. The student is ultimately responsible for the coordination of all aspects of the hearing. This includes, but is not limited to: establishing the date and time for the hearing, and ensuring all parties involved are able to attend, and reserving the performance/rehearsal space for the hearing.