NOTE: as of January 2023, the Applied Assessment has been suspended until it can be fully revised. During the suspension, all music majors in their fourth semester of applied study should complete a standard jury.
The Applied Music Assessment takes place during the fourth semester of private applied instruction on the principal instrument/voice, typically in the spring of the sophomore year, and replaces the jury for that semester.
Students should refer to the requirements and forms specific to their degree track and performance area for information regarding the Applied Music Assessment.
Applied Assessments
Bachelor of Arts in Music
The Applied Music Assessment takes place during the fourth semester of private instruction on the principal instrument/voice, typically in the spring semester of the sophomore year, and replaces the jury.
Rationale
Musical assessment will test performance skill, academic knowledge, and communication (written and verbal). This model evaluates comprehensive musicianship abilities. The student will be asked to synthesize performance, theory, and history of a prepared solo. A key element is the student’s self-evaluation and discussion of career goals. All assessments are video recorded. The assessment process allows for Conservatory faculty to make written recommendations about progress and potential success in the B.A. in Music degree program.
Evaluation Requirements: Instrumental
(times are approximate)
-
Perform a prepared solo 10-12 minutes
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Sight-read a graded excerpt (selected by your studio teacher) 2 minutes
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Present a broad form (entire movement or composition) & microanalysis of a selected section (16 measures min.) and historical overview of the solo 15 minutes
-
Provide a written student self-evaluation of the video recording (separate room) 30 minutes
-
Following the review of the video recording, participate in an interview with the panel 10 minutes
Evaluation Requirements: Vocal
(times are approximate)
-
Prepare four jury pieces; sing one of choice, then one selected by faculty 6 minutes
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For the solo of choice, present a broad form & microanalysis of a selected section (16 measures min.) and a historical overview 10 minutes
-
Read a foreign language piece (selected by faculty) 2 minutes
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Provide a written student self-evaluation of the video recording (separate room) 20 minutes
-
Following the review of the video recording, participate in an interview with the jury panel 10 minutes
Grading
Assessment counts as one-third of the semester grade. The studio teacher provides the other two-thirds of the semester grade for work accomplished during the spring term.
Bachelor of Music Education
The Applied Music Assessment takes place during the fourth semester of private instruction on the principal instrument/voice, typically in the spring semester of the sophomore year, and replaces the jury.
Rationale
Musical assessment will test performance skill, academic knowledge, and communication (written and verbal). This model evaluates comprehensive musicianship abilities. The student will be asked to synthesize performance, theory, and history of a prepared solo. A key element is the student’s self-evaluation and discussion of career goals. All assessments are video recorded. The assessment process allows for Conservatory faculty to make written recommendations about progress and potential success in the B.A. in Music degree program.
Evaluation Requirements: Instrumental
(times are approximate)
-
Perform a prepared solo 10-12 minutes
-
Sight-read a graded excerpt (selected by your studio teacher) 2 minutes
-
Present a broad form (entire movement or composition) & microanalysis of a selected section (16 measures min.) and historical overview of the solo 15 minutes
-
Provide a written student self-evaluation of the video recording (separate room) 30 minutes
-
Following the review of the video recording, participate in an interview with the panel 10 minutes
Evaluation Requirements: Vocal
(times are approximate)
-
Prepare three jury pieces; sing one of choice, then one selected by faculty 6 minutes
-
For the solo of choice, present a broad form & microanalysis of a selected section (16 measures min.) and a historical overview 10 minutes
-
Read a foreign language piece (selected by faculty) 2 minutes
-
Provide a written student self-evaluation of the video recording (separate room) 20 minutes
-
Following the review of the video recording, participate in an interview with the jury panel 10 minutes
Grading
Assessment counts as one-third of the semester grade. The studio teacher provides the other two-thirds of the semester grade for work accomplished during the spring term.
Music Education Sophomore Interview
Music Education students complete a required sophomore interview as part of the assessment process. Interview forms and a detailed description of the process are available on the Music Education Moodle site under “Music Education Sophomore Interview.”
Bachelor of Music
The Applied Music Assessment takes place during the fourth semester of private instruction on the principal instrument/voice, typically in the spring semester of the sophomore year, and replaces the jury.
Rationale
The musical assessment is intended to evaluate a student’s progress in performance skills, and comprehensive musicianship, including a brief presentation about the repertoire performed that will include formal analysis and historical data. All assessments are video recorded and can be used as part of the student graduation portfolio.
Evaluation Requirements: Instrumental
(times are approximate)
-
Perform a prepared solo or group of pieces 15-20 minutes
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Sight-read an excerpt chosen by studio teacher 3 minutes
-
Give a presentation about one movement or piece. The presentation will include historical context and elements for which an intelligent but uninformed audience might listen. The presentation will also include a formal analysis, addressing two levels: on a macro level, an overall structural analysis of the whole piece or movement, and on a micro level, a comprehensive harmonic analysis of a section of the piece. The student will explain how that analysis informs the interpretive performance of the piece. The student will turn in a written copy of the microanalysis. 7-10 minutes
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Provide a written self-evaluation of the recorded performance and presentation on the day of the assessment 30 minutes
-
Participate in an interview with the faculty panel. Discussion will include a reflection of the assessment performance and an evaluation of the student’s progress in fulfilling the expectations for Bachelor of Music degree, including admission to upper level study in the degree. 10 minutes
Evaluation Requirements: Vocal
(times are approximate)
-
Prepare five or more jury pieces, totaling 15-20 minutes of music; sing one piece of choice and then additional selections will be chosen by the faculty. 15-20 minutes
-
Give a presentation about your chosen selection. The presentation will include historical context and elements for which an intelligent but uninformed audience might listen. The presentation will also include a formal analysis, addressing two levels: on a macro level, an overall structural analysis of the whole piece or movement, and on a micro level, a comprehensive harmonic analysis of a section of the piece. The student will explain how that analysis informs the interpretive performance of the piece. The student will turn in a written copy of the micro analysis. 7-10 minutes
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Sight-read an excerpt chosen by studio teacher 3 minutes
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Read a song text aloud in French, German or Italian 3 minutes
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Provide a written self-evaluation of the recorded performance and presentation on the day of the performance 30 minutes
-
Participate in an interview with the faculty panel. Discussion will include a reflection of the assessment performance and an evaluation of the student’s progress in fulfilling the expectations for Bachelor of Music degree, including admission to upper level study in the degree. 10 minutes
Grading
The assessment counts as one-third of the semester grade. The studio teacher will provide two-thirds of the semester grade for work accomplished during the term. Students must successfully complete the sophomore assessment with a grade of B or higher in order to be admitted to upper level study in the BM degree program.
Bachelor of Music Sophomore Interview
Bachelor of Music students complete a required sophomore interview as part of the assessment process. Interview forms and a detailed description of the process are available in the Bachelor of Music Sophomore Interview section of this handbook.
Bachelor of Music Junior Assessment
In the junior year,the Bachelor of Music students will learn and perform a piece, to be chosen by the applied teacher, in three weeks without help from an applied teacher. Memorization will be at the discretion of the studio teacher. The piece must be performed at the junior recital, the Now Hear This! Recital Hour, a studio class, or other public event. Evaluation will be a part of the junior applied lesson grade.
Assessment Forms
Students preparing to present an Applied Music Assessment (sophomore assessment) should download and complete the forms appropriate for their applied area of study.
These forms must be completed and returned to the Conservatory Office along with copies of music to be presented. Failure to submit completed assessment forms and music to the Conservatory office by the deadlines published each semester will result in an automatic 5 point deduction from a student's assessment score for each infraction.
Note: students preparing a standard applied jury should refer to the Applied Juries section of this handbook. These are not the correct forms for the applied jury.
Keyboard (piano and organ)
Keyboard Applied Assessment form (pdf)
Strings (including guitar)
Strings Applied Assessment form (pdf)
Winds and Percussion
Winds (Brass and WW) and Percussion Applied Assessment form (pdf)
Voice