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Wright State University Department of Music is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

Wright State University Department of Music is a proud OMEA

Applied Music Policy Statement

(Effective Fall Quarter 1988)
Revised Fall 2004
Revised Fall 2012

I Structure of Applied Music Board Committees
II Policies on Auditions
III Policies on Grading in Applied Music
IV Policies for Applied Music Jury Examinations
V Policies on Time Limits in Various Classifications REVISED
VI Special Conditions Relative to Category IV or IVA (Senior Standing)
VII Policies on Recitals
VIII Requirements for Majors in Music Education
with a Secondary Area of Applied Music

I Structure of Applied Music Board Committees

Committees and sub committees are established for each of the following areas in applied music instruction:

The committees are responsible for hearing entrance auditions, jury examinations, and required junior, senior, and graduate recital performances.

Permanent membership of the committee in each area consists of at least two full-time faculty members and should remain the same as long as there are no changes in faculty personnel, so that the student who appears before the committee can be assured his/her progress is being judged in a consistent, uniform manner. The permanent members may select additional faculty members or faculty associates to act as voting members for students of the permanent members, and the student's private teacher (whether a full-time faculty member or a faculty associate) will always be a voting member of the board when the student is being evaluated. Assignment to any committee is subject to the approval of the chair of the department.

Overall responsibility for the internal coordination of these committees and sub committees is delegated as follows:

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II Policies on Auditions

a All students registering for applied music credit will audition for the appropriate board with the following exceptions:
1. Voice secondary students in Music Education program with piano or organ concentration
2. Piano secondary students who have completed Music 257 (Second Year Keyboard Musicianship) or its equivalent.
3. Secondary instrument study (any instrument) when required by curriculum.
4. Any circumstance not described as one of the preceding exceptions will be dealt with by the appropriate board or the department chair.
b. Entrance audition requirements for each area of applied music instruction are stated on the form, Student Application for Audition, available from the Music Department Office.
c. Entrance auditions which occur on regularly scheduled announced dates during the September - June school year will be heard by the committee which normally hears jury examinations in the applied area. On the announced summer dates, at least two members of the appropriate board committee will be present.
d. If the chairman of the department feels that special circumstances require and justify the granting of an audition at a time other than one of the announced dates, one or more members of the appropriate committee will be contacted to join the chairman in hearing such an audition.
e. At the time of the audition, and after consultation by the committee, a decision will be made and reported to the student. The decision will be confirmed by letter.
f. Any student who discontinues study for credit in the area of her/his major or concentration longer than three consecutive quarters, excluding summer term, will be required to audition in order to reenter.
g. Any student who is accepted at an audition must begin degree credit instruction in that area of applied music at Wright State University within one calendar year of the audition date.
h. Acceptance for private study in applied music for any music degree program implies a commitment on the student's part to that music degree program. Therefore, a student who is accepted for two- or four- credit study must enroll in and complete the major ensemble and MUS 101, 151 and 155 or he/she may not continue applied music study except for one elective credit per quarter.
i. It is understood that any student who begins credit instruction in applied music at Wright State University will study only with the assigned studio teacher from the Wright State University music faculty.

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III Policies on Grading in Applied Music

a. Weekly progress will be measured on the basis of the goals set by the studio teacher as outlined in the course syllabus for each student at the beginning of the quarter.
b. In most cases the student will be assigned a weekly grade, however, the decision on whether or not to assign a specific weekly grade will be left to the individual teacher.
c. The final grade will be a reflection of weekly progress.
d. Grading will not be done on the basis of effort alone without due consideration of actual accomplishment.
e. A student who is below normal classification for his/her class standing will not necessarily be given a lower grade for that reason even though there will be an attempt made to have progress, classification, and grade agree in tendency.
f. The following scale for grade equivalents will be used:
A = Excellent
B = Above Average
C = Average
D = Below Average
F = Failing
g. The following policies on attendance at lessons will be followed:
1. Unexcused absence from a private lesson will lower the student's final grade.
2. Failure to notify the teacher a reasonable amount of time in advance when the student is ill and unable to come to school will constitute an unexcused absence.
3. If the student is able to attend classes, he/she is expected to attend his/her private lesson.
4. Excused absences with advanced notice may be made up at the discretion of the teacher.
5. If a student attends less than seven (7) lessons in any quarter, he/she cannot receive a passing grade for the quarter.
h. The following policies on credit assigned for private lessons will be followed:
1. Students who hope to become performance majors will register for two credits per quarter in their first year of study. After the first year, those students who are accepted as Performance majors will register for four credits per quarter in their major performing area.
2.. Performance majors will be permitted to register for four credits in a single area of applied music with written permission from the appropriate board committee and the Chair of the Department following a performance before that board. Any other student requesting four (4) credits must meet the same requirements as a Performance major at the same level. Permission to register for four (4) credits will be granted only if all these conditions are met and after consultation with the student's academic advisor. Study for four credits may not be used for remedial purposes.
3. Bachelor of Music students with majors in Music Education or History and Literature, and students enrolled for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music will register for two credits per quarter in their applied music concentration; the exception is that first year vocal students will register for one credit of applied lessons and one credit of voice class concurrently if their major is Music Education.
4. Other students enrolled for one credit are primarily involved with a secondary area of applied music. Study for one credit may also be used for elective credit. Study for one credit implies no performance requirements, requires no board exams, and imposes no time limits for reaching any particular level of advancement except for students in Music Education with an instrumental secondary and students in Music Education with a voice secondary (see Section VIII: Requirements for Majors in Music Education with a Secondary Area of Applied Music).

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IV Policies for Applied Music Jury Examinations

a. Jury examinations are required in the area of the student's major concentration in applied music and in Music Education secondary instrumental and voice areas.
b. Students in normal sequence will have jury examinations in the major or concentration at the end of the first and third quarters of the freshman year and second and third quarters of the sophomore and junior years.
c. Jury examinations will be scheduled when faculty associates can be present if they have students performing. Each student's private teacher is expected to be present at the student's jury examination. Faculty absence from a jury exam must be approved by the chairman of the department. (Failure of the teacher to attend or to provide completed Applied Music Progress Reports will not be held against the student.)
d. The jury has the option of recording any performance. If the student's teacher is not able to be present because of a last-minute emergency, the performance must be recorded.
e. Content of the jury examinations should reflect material covered during the quarter and may include examination in the following areas:
1. Prepared piece(s) - memorization required in piano and voice
2. Scales and other technical exercises (not included in voice and organ)
3. Sight reading
4. Oral questions
The student's private teacher will determine the amount of concentration in any of the areas in order to reflect the student's instruction during the quarter, but the other members of the Committee are free to ask appropriate questions, and each has an equal vote. Decisions are to be made on the basis of majority vote.
f. Performance at the jury examination may influence, but will not necessarily determine, the final grade for the quarter. The degree to which this performance affects the final grade is left to the discretion of the individual teacher. The grade which the teacher expects to assign the student should not be made known to the committee before the decision on classification or advancement has been made.
g. Comments sent to students in Category II or IIA and III or IIIA after their second quarter exams will be compiled by the committee before they are given to the departmental secretary to be included in the letter to the student. These comments should reflect the consensus of the committee. If differences of opinion occur, the committee should attempt to resolve them before writing the comments. If conflicting opinions must be included, the writer of each should be identified to enable the student to seek clarification. Each member of the committee should read and approve the summary of the comments before it is sent to the department office for typing.
h. A student who has completed the quarter's work in applied music and is unable to perform at the jury exam because of illness will be given the grade he/she has earned for the quarter. Any decision regarding classification will be delayed until his/her committee can schedule a special jury exam. If the spring quarter exam is missed, the student will be heard at the beginning of the next fall quarter.
i. It is understood that appearance at scheduled applied music jury exams is required as at any other final exam.
1. A makeup jury exam (if necessary) will be scheduled no later than the end of the next successive quarter, excluding summer term.
2. An automatic delay in classification will result if no reasonable advance notice of absence is given to the appropriate applied jury.
3. Any circumstance pertaining to missing a jury exam not covered by the above statements will be considered on an individual basis by the appropriate board committee members.
j. If the jury decision is to grant advanced placement (classification at a higher category than the total number of quarters of study and credits earned would normally warrant), this decision must be stated in writing at the time of the exam and must be signed by the jury members. The exact number of credits thus waived must be specified. If these credits are needed toward that total necessary for graduation, the student may obtain the required Proficiency Test application from the Registrar and purchase the credits at the regular fee per credit hour.
k. Any exceptions to these policies must be approved by the Applied Music Committee and the chairman of the department.

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V Policies on Time Limits in Various Classifications REVISED Fall 2012

APPLIED JURY PROMOTION SEQUENCE AND APPLIED JURY SCHEDULE
(revised and approved on 11/6/12)

 

FALL

SPRING

1st Year

Progress Jury

Promoted to Category II

2nd Year

Progress Jury

Promoted to Category III

3rd Year

Progress Jury
(Junior Recital)

Promoted to Category IV
(Junior Recital)

4th Year

Senior Recital

(Senior Recital)

Applied Sub Committees for Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Students

Jury Structure is as follows for 2006 - 2007
Woodwinds I - Flute and Saxophone
Woodwinds II - Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon
High Brass - Trumpet and Horn
Low Brass - Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba
Percussion
The jury member are those faculty members who teach applied lessons on the instruments covered by each jury.

Process:

• Each Area is responsible for scheduling and hearing the students in the area only.
• Material performed will be as outlined in the "Applied Music Policy".
• Juries will take place in Fall and Spring quarters only unless the board deems it necessary to hear a student during Winter quarter.
• Jury letters and comment sheets are the responsibility of each committee.
• All jury decisions will be made by the individual jury areas.
a. All Students remain classified in the Preparatory Category until they are heard at their jury exams at the end of their first quarter of study. The successive levels of classification corresponding to freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years in normal sequence are designated as follows:
• Performance Majors - Category I, II, III, and IV
• All curriculum requiring 2 credits of study per quarter in the area of applied concentration - Category IA, IIA, IIIA, and IVA
• Music Education Instrumental secondary - Category IS, IIS, and IIIS (See Section VIII for further explanation)
b. Normal time limits for each major or concentration category will be described below. No student shall be permitted to accumulate a total of more than three quarters of extension, beyond the normal time limits, from the time he/she enters Category I or IA until he/she completes the applied music graduation requirements of his/her particular curriculum.
c. Any student who remains classified in the Preparatory Category at the end of his first quarter of study must qualify for Category I or IA by the end of two more quarters of study or he/she will be considered ineligible to continue with that particular area as his/her concentration or major.
d. Once a student has been classified as entering Category I or IA, he/she will be expected to qualify for Category II or IIA by the end of two more quarters of study. If he/she does not qualify for Category II or IIA in that length of time, he/she may be granted a one-quarter extension not more than two times.
e. Category II or IIA is normally completed in three quarters. If the student does not qualify for advancement to Category III or IIIA after three quarters in Category II or IIA, he may be granted a one-quarter extension no more than two times. The jury committee will retain a student in Category II or IIA until the student has demonstrated sufficient capability to insure that the standards for graduation required by his/her particular curriculum may be met within the maximum time limit.
f. For a Performance Major to advance to Category III in applied music, he/she must have completed MUS 103, 153, and 157. Permission to present a Junior Recital is contingent upon being enrolled in or successfully completing MUS 203, 253, 257, and 313.
g. Category III or IIIA is normally completed in three quarters. If the student does not qualify for advancement to Category IV or IVA after three quarters in Category III or IIIA, he/she may be granted an extension of not more than one quarter.
h. Category IV or IVA is usually completed in three quarters. If necessary, this time limit may be extended by not more than one quarter.
i. Any student admitted by re-audition after not studying for longer than three consecutive quarters, excluding summer term, will be reclassified following his/her first quarter of study after reentering. No previous classification he/she may have received will be considered binding upon the board, and no provisions he/she may have received will be counted against the student.
j. Any exceptions to these policies must be approved by the Applied Music Committee and the chairman of the department.

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VI. Special Conditions Relative to Category IV or IVA (Senior Standing)

a. The jury examination in which the student is asking for advancement to IV or IVA will include all the appropriate basic areas outlined in Section IV, Part 5.
b. A student seeking advancement to Category IV or IVA will be allowed additional examination time beyond that normally allotted to students in lower classifications.
c. At or before the time of the examination, the student must submit to the committee a complete list of all literature studied in the previous categories.
d. Before granting senior standing, the committee will verify that the student has performed on the required number of student recitals.
e. No jury examinations are required in Category IV or IVA; however, the student will perform before the jury for permission to give the required recital.
f. Music Education Majors enrolled as full-time students must study continuously for two credits per quarter in their concentration (except during the quarter of student teaching) until they have completed the Senior Recital Requirements for Music Education Majors (see Section VII F).
g. Upon successful completion of the Junior Recital and at the end of three quarters in Category III, a Performance Major will normally be classified as entering Category IV without a further board examination unless the committee deems it necessary.
h. Performance Majors must study continuously for four credits per quarter in their chosen disciplines until all graduation requirements in applied music are met, including satisfactory public performance of all required recitals.

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VII. Policies on Recitals

a. Student Recitals
1. The Applied Music Committee has established regularly scheduled weekly student recitals.
2. The placement of students on these recitals is the responsibility of the Concert and Recital Activities Coordinator.
3. Dress – final decisions concerning appropriateness of dress will be made by the studio teacher.
4. Performance requirements:
• Freshmen should be urged to perform during their first year if possible.
• All students must perform at least twice by the completion of Category II or IIA and at least four times by the completion of Category III or IIIA. A repeat performance of the same work in the same quarter will not count as a second required performance. For performance requirements for Music Education Instrumental Secondary, see Section VIII.
• Failure to meet the performance requirements will delay advancement to Category III/IIIA or IV/IVA.
•

All solo performances in piano and voice must be from memory, with two exceptions:
— for voice - based on the decision of the studio teacher, oratorio literature and small ensembles may be performed from score.
— for piano - the Senior Recital for Music Education with Piano Concentration must include a minimum of 15 minutes of music performed from memory.
• University ensemble concert performances do not fulfill the student recital performance requirement.
b. Junior Recitals for Performance Majors
1. Performance Majors will be required to present a half recital during the junior year (Category III).
2. The content of the Junior Recital should vary with regard to period and style and should reflect a cross-section of accepted literature for the particular instrument or voice.
3. The proposed content of the Junior Recital must be submitted for approval to the appropriate board on the appropriate check sheet in sufficient time to allow for necessary changes.
4. Specifications as to content for Junior Recitals in each area of applied music follow:
• Voice recitals should include compositions:
— from three historical periods
— using three languages in addition to English
— aria(s) from either opera or oratorio
— demonstrating a reasonable breadth of style.
— all voice recitals will be performed from memory, with oratorio and small ensembles as the optional exceptions based on the decision of the studio teacher
• Piano recitals will include at least two compositions from different periods. All solo piano recitals will be performed from memory.
• Woodwind recitals will include two compositions of different styles (one of which may be part of a concerto).
• Brass recitals will include variety with regard to period and style and will reflect a cross-section of accepted literature for the particular instrument.
• String recitals should usually include two or more compositions unless an entire concerto is performed.
• Organ recitals will include at least two compositions from different periods.
• Percussion recitals should include snare drum and related types, timpani, and melody instruments.
Instrumentalists are encouraged to include ensembles.
5. The following model for length will be used:

Voice

25-40 minutes

Piano

25-30 minutes

Woodwinds

25-30 minutes

Brass

25-30 minutes

Percussion

25-30 minutes

Strings

25-30 minutes

Organ

25-30 minutes
6. A student wishing to present a Junior Recital must be enrolled for credit at the appropriate applied level at the time of the recital. He/she will be required to perform it before his/her Applied Board Committee for approval no later than three weeks before the intended date of performance. If this committee does not grant approval, the recital will be postponed.
7. The actual recital performance will be graded on a pass-fail basis by the student's Applied Board Committee (which will include his private teacher). A majority vote will determine the decision. If the decision is to fail the recital performance, the committee will provide written documentation including reasons. The student will then be required to perform the same program again for this committee in private. A statement indicating the earliest and latest dates between which the rehearing must be accomplished will be included in the documentation. This will be the only additional chance given to fulfill this requirement.
8. Dress - final decisions concerning appropriateness of dress will be made by the studio teacher.
9. The completion and processing of the recital check sheet is the studio teacher's responsibility.
c. Senior Recitals for Performance Majors
1. Students in Performance will be required to present a full recital during the senior year (Category IV). As with the Junior Recital, the student must be enrolled for credit at the appropriate Applied level at the time of the Senior Recital.
2.. The content of the Senior Recital should vary with regard to period and style and should reflect a cross-section of accepted literature for the particular instrument or voice. The level of difficulty should be greater than that of the Junior Recital.
3. The proposed content of the Senior Recital must be submitted for approval to the appropriate board committee in sufficient time to allow for necessary changes.
4. Specifications as to content for Senior Recitals for Performance Majors in each area of applied music follow:
• Voice recitals are the same as described under Junior Recitals.
• Piano recitals will include at least three compositions from different periods. The content of the Junior and Senior Recitals together should include representative works by Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th century composers. All piano recitals by Performance Majors will be performed from memory.
• Woodwind recitals are the same as described under Junior Recitals.
• Brass recitals are the same as described under Junior Recitals.
• String recitals are the same as described under Junior Recitals.
• Organ recitals will include at least three compositions from different periods.
• Percussion recitals are the same as described under Junior Recitals.
Instrumentalists are encouraged to include ensembles.
5. The following model for length will be used:
Voice 50-65 minutes
Piano 55-65 minutes
Woodwinds 55-65 minutes
Brass 40-55 minutes
Percussion 55-65 minutes
Strings 55-65 minutes
Organ 55-65 minutes
6. Procedures for the three-week pre-hearing are the same as for the Junior Recital.
7. Procedures for grading of the actual recital performance are the same as for the Junior Recital.
8. Dress - same policy as for Junior Recitals.
9. Recital check sheet - same as for Junior Recitals.
d. Senior Recital Requirements for Music Education Majors
1. During the senior year the student will perform in the afternoon student recitals two or three times for a total of 25-30 minutes. With the approval of the studio teacher and the Applied Board Committee, the student may present a half recital or full recital in lieu of the above requirement. The student must be enrolled for credit at the appropriate Applied level at the time of the Recital.
2. If the student wishes to ask approval from the Applied Jury Committee to present a half or full recital, this request should be made at the time the student appears before the jury to ask for advancement to Category IVA. A majority vote of the board will decide the question, and the decision will be stated in the letter sent to the student following the jury examination.
3. Literature to be performed in fulfillment of the Senior Recital requirement must be approved by the board in sufficient time to permit substitutions, if necessary.
4. The literature, whether performed on one, two, or three recitals must conform to the guidelines for content stated previously in this document.
5. The student must perform the Senior Recital literature for the board at least three weeks before each scheduled performance date in order to receive permission for the public performance to take place. If the board does not grant approval, the public performance will be postponed.
6. If the jury approves, the recital performance will take place as scheduled and will be graded on a pass-fail basis by the student's Applied Jury Committee. A majority vote will determine the decision. If the decision is to fail the recital performance, the committee will provide written documentation including reasons. The student will then be required to perform the same literature again for this committee in private. A statement indicating the earliest and latest dates between which the rehearing must be accomplished will be included in the documentation. The second performance will be the final opportunity to fulfill this requirement.
7. Each of the two or three Senior Recital performances must be passed before a pre-hearing for the next may be requested.
8. Dress - same policy as for Junior Recital.
9. Recital check sheet - same as for Junior Recital.
e. Optional Recitals
Any student who wishes to perform an optional Junior or Senior Recital, or any student assisting on a required recital given by another student, must have approval from his board committee of the literature to be performed and must fulfill conditions stated in Section VII B 6 of this document regarding the three-week pre-hearing. If this recital is taking the place of a regular jury exam, the board committee must be present and must make an official decision which must be stated in writing. The student's teacher should also complete the appropriate recital check sheet for the student's file. As with all recitals, the student must be enrolled for credit at the appropriate Applied level at the time of the recital.

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VIII. Requirements for Majors in Music Education with a Secondary Area of Applied Music

a. Instrumental
1. Eleven quarters of study required.
2. Entrance audition of same proficiency level as concentration is required.
3. All instrumental secondary students will perform on student recitals two times before a classification of IIIS may be granted.
4. Category IIIS is the most advanced category of secondary study. Attainment of Category IIIS does not imply further potential progress in applied music.
5. Progress of the secondary applied music student will be reported in the same manner as progress of the concentration applied music student.
6. The following is a normal sequence:
Classification Entering IS End of first quarter
Progress Report End of third quarter
Classification Entering IIS End of fifth quarter
Progress Report End of eighth quarter
Classification Entering IIIS End of ninth quarter
7. No student shall be permitted to accumulate a total of more than two quarters of extension from the time he enters Category IS until he is classified in Category IIIS.
8. Category IIIS must be attained prior to student teaching.
9. In the event an instrumental secondary student wishes to change to instrumental concentration, he must be auditioned by the appropriate board for acceptance.
b. Vocal
1. Eleven quarters of study required.
2. No recital performance required.
3. The student will be heard by the Voice Board at the end of the third and sixth quarters of study for a progress report.
4. The student must perform for the Voice Board a prepared solo (solos) at minimum Category IIIA prior to student teaching.
5. In the event a voice secondary student wishes to change to voice concentration, he/she must be auditioned by the Voice Board for acceptance.
c. Keyboard – Detailed information on keyboard secondary requirements is contained in the General Keyboard Requirements document (Appendix B), found below.

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