The Recital
All degree recitals at ODU are adjudicated pass/fail by a representative group of faculty. Recitals are not given for credit but are required for graduation in all programs except BA, BM Sound Recording Technology and Music Minor. The full duration of degree recitals must be performed on the student's principal instrument.
During the Applied Music semester MUSA 441 (or MUSA 442) and prior to the Teacher Candidate Internship (student teaching), Bachelor of Music, Music Education students are required to perform a satisfactory half-hour, public, solo recital (25 minutes of music). Students may, at the discretion of the faculty, perform a private recital instead of a public recital. The decision to allow a private recital will be made in conjunction with the student's Applied Music teacher at the recital approval hearing. Private recitals are heard only by the music faculty and the performer's family.
For BM Performance Wind/Percussion/String instruments, all degree recitals must include one piece or one movement of a larger work that is performed from memory. The memory requirement is waived for these instruments in all other programs. Keyboard Performance Majors must memorize all solo work. Keyboard education majors must memorize a minimum of 30% of the program. Specific questions should be referred to the keyboard area head.
During the Applied Music 252 semester, BM Performance students are required to perform a satisfactory half-hour, public, solo recital (25 minutes of music). The faculty will review the progress and potential of each performance major following the sophomore recital. Results of this review determine acceptability for continuance in the program.
During the Applied Music 452 semester, BM Performance students are required to perform a satisfactory full-hour, public, solo recital (50 minutes of music).
In no case will a half-hour sophomore performance recital be accepted in lieu of a half-hour senior education recital. Students in both programs are expected to study Applied Music for the number of semesters required in the program.
Students are required to be enrolled in Applied Music during the semester the recital is given. Only students performing during the first two (2) weeks of the semester are exempt from this requirement.
If you are a music major, and voice is your major instrument, you will perform an extended jury at the end of your fourth semester of study, 242 or 252. The purpose of this jury is to assess and project the ability of the student to successfully complete the pursued degree program. This decision will be based upon your attendance record, attitude, grades in all classes, musicianship, past jury grades, progress, technique, and the recommendation of your studio teacher. If it is deemed that you are not making the necessary improvement to successfully complete the pursued program, you will be advised to change majors.
All degree recitals are to be performed from memory. The entire recital program must be memorized at the recital approval and the recital. All four main languages, Italian, English, German, French must be represented on the program.
During the Applied Music 351 or 352 semester, BM Voice majors are required to perform a satisfactory half-hour, public, solo recital (25 minutes of music).
During the Applied Music 452 semester, BM Voice majors are required to perform a satisfactory full-hour, public, solo recital (50 minutes of music).
During the Applied Music semester 441 or 442 and prior to student teaching, BME Voice majors are required to perform a satisfactory half-hour, public, solo recital (25 minutes of music). On rare occasions, it is possible to present this senior recital in the first week of the following semester coinciding with student teaching.
BM Sound Recording Technology Majors and Music Minors are not required to perform extended juries or recitals.
BM composition majors are expected to fulfill the following recital requirements:
- MUSA 331: at least one 10-minute lecture-performance on a SPH or equivalent program.
- MUSA 332: at least one 10-minute lecture-performance on a SPH or equivalent program.
- MUSA 431: one or more lecture-performances on SPHs or equivalents totaling 15 minutes.
- MUSA 432: a half-hour lecture-recital of original works.
Recital Approval Hearings
All students presenting recitals, including non-degree recitals, must first pass a Recital Approval Hearing. Dates for these hearings are posted on the music calendar. To apply for a Recital Approval Hearing clickÌýhere...
Recital Approval Hearings are 15 minutes long, 30 minutes for Composition. At their discretion, faculty will ask to hear portions of the program and will always ask to hear the memorized selection if applicable. Once submitted, changes in an approved recital program may not be made without the consent of the faculty.
Time limits, both minimum and maximum must be reflected in the program:
- half-hour recitals: 25 minutes of music minimum; 35 minutes maximum on stage
- full-hour recitals: 50 minutes of music minimum.
BM Performance Majors will perform one (1) piece from memory on their senior recital. The memory requirement is waived for all other applied music students.
Composition Majors must pass a Recital Approval Hearing. Live performances of acoustic works for the approval are strongly recommended. In case of overwhelming logistical difficulties a rehearsal recording can be accepted. As a last resort, in case of emergency, a MIDI realization will be considered. Student is also expected to discuss their work in a lecture-recital manner. Recordings of acoustic works are not acceptable on the recital itself.
- Any faculty member who commits to a recital committee should also commit to the approval hearing for that student.
- When students are unable to assemble a committee of faculty in their area, changing the recital date is preferable to involving faculty outside the area.
- Degree recitals should be scheduled well in advance of midterm to insure faculty availability for grading.
- It is the responsibility of the committee to deliver signed programs documenting each individual vote pass/fail to the music office manager for placement in the student's record, for both the approval hearing and actual recital.
Scheduling the Recital
It is your responsibility to reserve rehearsal and performance dates in Chandler Recital Hall. Do this as soon as possible, before your approval hearing. The room is busy and its schedule fills quickly as the semester progresses. Use theÌýStudent Degree RecitalsÌýpage to direct the whole process of producing your recital.
Half-hour recitals are presented Monday and Friday afternoons; exceptions to this scheduling policy are not permitted. Full-hour recitals are preferably presented on weekday evenings but may also be scheduled on Sunday afternoons. The Music Office will prepare your program based on what you submit for the Recital Approval Hearing and will duplicate printed programs for your recital. Please proof-read your program copy with your Applied teacher before it is duplicated. A sound booth worker will be backstage to assist with logistics and will record your recital. Sound booth personnel will then perform basic editing and supply you with a digital audio file recording.
BME students must perform their degree recital prior to student teaching. Exceptions to this policy will only be granted under the most extraordinary circumstances.
Piano Proficiency Exam
All BM Voice Performance majors and BME Voice, Keyboard, and Guitar majors are required to pass the Piano Proficiency Examination. BME majors are expected to pass the examination prior to student teaching. A sign-up sheet is posted in the department prior to final exam week each semester for those who are ready to take the exam. The Piano Proficiency Examination is separate from piano class examinations. This exam will test the following skills:
- Major keys of C, G, D, A, E, F, B-flat, E-flat, A-flat, and D-flat.
- Minor keys of c, g, d, a, e, f, and b. (harmonic minor)
- Scales: 1, 2, and 3 octaves in quarters, eighths, and triplets, respectively. Hands together, parallel motion. MM quarter = 60.
- Arpeggios: Root position tonic triads, hands together in parallel motion, 2 octaves in quarters and eighths. Also, dominant seventh and diminished seventh arpeggios on the same roots, 5-note arpeggios played one octave up and down. MM quarter = 60.
- Triads: Tonic triads block style with inversions: 1 octave in quarters and 2 octaves in eighths, ascending and descending, hands together. M.M. quarter = 60.
- Resolutions: Dominant 7th and diminished 7th chords on the same roots. 4-note block chords in root position resolving to tonic. See theÌýResolutions example at this link.
- Cadences: Authentic cadences and Plagal cadences played in piano style resolving to tonic.
- See information about the required progression to be played at this link.
Harmonization and Improvisation:
- Play by ear familiar melodies such asÌýHappy BirthdayÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýAmericaÌýwhile providing a simple chordal accompaniment in the left hand.
- Harmonization with the I, IV, and V chords is minimum, using inversions as needed.
- Transpose melodies to other keys.
Folk melody with traditional harmonic accompaniment.
Solo literature in homophonic texture.
An approved solo such as those found in Alfred'sÌýGroup Piano for AdultsÌýBook 2, ´Ç°ùÌýEasy Classics to Moderns,Ìýand easier Clementi Sonatinas. Copies of the solo must be provided for the examiners.
Patriotic piece: One patriotic song, using pre-approved music f´Ç°ùÌýStar Spangled Banner, America,Ìý´Ç°ùÌýAmerica the Beautiful.
A prepared accompaniment to a vocal or instrumental composition, to be performed with a vocalist or instrumentalist. Copies of the accompaniment must be provided for the examiners.
Voice Proficiency
All BME Voice, Keyboard, and Guitar majors are required to pass the Voice Proficiency Examination prior to student teaching. Students are expected to pass all sections of the examination before the department will approve them for graduation. A sign-up sheet is posted in the department prior to final exam week each semester for those who are ready to take the exam. The Voice Proficiency Examination is separate from voice class examinations. This exam tests the following skills:
Sing one solo (in your own range) which you would teach to a student in senior high school who would be competing for Honors Chorus. Be able to explain in detail how and why you would teach it to a student.
Select one junior high school choral composition. Sing one part other than your own while the pianist plays the accompaniment (not the voice parts). Whenever possible, choose a gender part other than your own and do not sing the melody. You must provide at least four legal copies of the music for the examination committee.
Select one song from an elementary series, grade 5 or 6. Sing the song while playing the piano accompaniment yourself.
Sight sing and play one song chosen by the examination committee from an elementary series, grade 3 or 4. Play the melody and make up chords for accompaniment.
Discuss vocal production (posture, breathing and support, articulation, phonation, resonation, ...) Study guides are available in the music office.
Evaluation will be based on discussion of vocal technique; vocal quality (is it pleasing?); testing and assignment of voices to correct part; appropriateness of material selected for sections one and two; correct musical style, tempo, and mood; and ability to sight sing and play in section four.