Requirements & Procedures
All students registered for applied music lessons are required to perform a jury examination, unless eligible for a jury waiver. The purpose of the jury examination is the objective evaluation of an applied music student’s ability and artistry in performance.
Normally, students will perform for a jury composed of at least three music faculty members. Each jury member endeavors to express, by a grading process, a considered opinion of student performance, based upon applicable criteria. For example, the following categorical listing might be applied for students of Voice:
Technique: Tone quality, accuracy, agility, legato, resonance, etc.
Breath Control: Tone support, phrasing, intensity
Musicianship: Rhythm, tempo, note values, intonation and dynamics
Interpretation: Facial expression, dynamics, tone, color, style
Diction: Pronunciation of language, enunciation, text projection
Presence: Entrance and exit, posture, personality, applause acknowledgment
Memorization: With complete comprehension of text and musical content
Judgment of work in fields of keyboard, string, wind or percussion instruments may follow similar lines. The necessity for memorized performance in examination is a matter to be determined by each individual teacher.
Jury Grading System
The jury members will indicate, by means of numerical grading, a considered opinion of the student’s performance. (Numerical grading is easily translated into a more accurate letter grading.)
94 to 100 A
90 to 93 A-
87 to 89 B+
84 to 86 B
80 to 83 B-
77 to 79 C+
74 to 76 C
70 to 73 C-
67 to 69 D+
64 to 66 D
60 to 63 D-
Example: Three jury members’ grades of 85, 81, and 93 average to 86.3, a final jury grade of B.
The grading sheets with the jury member’s numerical grade and written comments about the performance are turned in to the Music Office after the jury day is over. Once the the grades are compiled by office staff, students' comments and final jury grade are available for pickup in the music office.
Important: Only the jury grade will appear on these sheets. This jury grade is 25% of your final applied music lesson grade.
Scheduling the Music Jury
Scheduling a jury performance time is the student’s responsibility. Watch for posted notices and email notifications (usually three weeks prior to finals week) and come to the Music Office to sign up. Music juries take place during finals week.
Juries are scheduled at intervals, as follows:
For students enrolled in 111-412 track or 161-462 track (other than Voice):
BM (Music Ed) – 10 minutes
BM (Elec. Studies in Business) – 10 minutes
BA (Music) – 10 minutes
BM (Performance) - 10 or 20 minutes, as assigned by the instructor
For students enrolled in Voice:
(111/112; 161 tracks) - 6 minutes
(262 track) – 20 minutes (two 10-minute slots)
(211-412; 162; 261; 361-462 tracks) - 10 minutes
Accompanists
The Music Office periodically emails applied lesson students with accompanist request information and deadlines. Students are required to turn in piano accompaniments to their jury to the Music Office, and either a contracted accompanist or a keyboard student will be assigned for jury accompaniment. You are entitled to two rehearsals in preparation of your jury. At least three weeks before your final jury performance, you should contact your assigned accompanist in order to schedule a practice time. Contact the Music Office with additional questions.
Appropriate Dress
Concert formal wear is not necessary, but attire appropriate for a job interview is a good guideline. Check with your instructor if you have questions.
Jury Waivers
Students giving a formal solo or joint recital performance (not a noon or studio recital) within six weeks of the last class day of the semester are eligible to waive their jury at the discretion of the Applied Teacher. Students must first apply for a waiver within one week of the recital date completion. Applied teachers maintain the right to require a semester jury of the student recitalist who is eligible for a waiver for any reason.
Applied teachers of student recitalists who are granted a waiver will give the recital a grade, which will account for 25% of the applied lesson grade in lieu of the jury grade.
Every student recitalist requesting a jury waiver is required to complete the Jury Waiver Request Form before the jury can be waived.