Music Department > Student Resources > Handbook > Examination and Goals in Performance

Examination and Goals in Performance

Scholarship Compliance Statement:

As a recipient of a music scholarship award, vocal and instrumental students must participate in a major ensemble each semester.

While all our choral and instrumental ensembles fulfill the general Fine Arts Core Requirement, only “major ensembles” (those who meet more than once per cycle, are touring ensembles and require an audition) (MUSC 231 - Wind Ensemble, MUSC 232 - Chamber Choir, MUSC 233 - Orchestra, MUSC 234 - Men’s Chorus, MUSC 235 - Women's Chorus and MUSC 238 - Jazz Ensemble) fulfill the scholarship requirement.

Participation in our Opera Productions fulfills the scholarship requirement as well, although we hope that you continue to sing in the ensemble of your choice while participating in the Opera.

Only under special circumstances can your membership in one of the other ensembles fulfill the scholarship requirement. Exemptions have been granted in the past when ensemble rehearsal times conflict with other required classes, (and no alternative classes are available), or if the major ensembles cannot accept or accommodate additional members.

This waiver needs to be cleared through the Music Office and the director(s) of the ensembles and will be noted in your file.

The department considers study abroad opportunities as remaining in compliance.

Loss of scholarship - Non-Compliance – failure to participate in the listed major ensembles or approved alternative or an exemption granted.

Reinstatement of scholarship requires a student to participate in an ensemble without award for one semester and half of the scholarship will be applied to the student’s financial aid package for the following semester.

Piano/organ students must help with accompanying vocal and instrumental students. The piano/organ faculty will determine the level and amount of accompanying appropriate for each scholarship winner. Please consult with a piano/organ faculty member to determine this.

There will be an annual review of each student by music faculty, which may include quality of performance at the student's applied jury exam.

Juries: All students taking applied lessons are required to perform a jury at the end of each semester of study. The purpose of the jury is to demonstrate what has been learned during that semester. Music majors are required to complete full-faculty jury exams upon completion of 112 and 211. Music minors are required to complete a full-faculty jury exam upon completion of 112.

Admission to Upper Division: An official application to apply for a major is provided by the Registrar's Office to each sophomore at the beginning of spring semester. All students must fill out the application completely and submit it to the department chair. A department interview (consisting of concentration declaration, career path questions, and faculty concerns of student progress) will be held during the spring semester after the application is completed.

Acceptance to the major is based on the following:

Full faculty jury exams upon completion of 112 and 211 (opportunity for the department to provide input on progress)
Passing Musicianship grades (C or above, Music 111/121, 112/122, 211/221, 212/222)
Recommendation of studio instructor & faculty vote at department interview
Students desiring to change their degree concentration in the junior or senior years, following formal acceptance into the Music major, must present another concentration-appropriate full-faculty jury exam in that semester.
Transfer students seeking acceptance to the Music major must complete full faculty jury exams upon completion of 112 and 211.

Concentration Requirements:

Ensemble Policy: All undergraduate music students must register for and achieve a passing grade in a major ensemble as follows: (1) music composition, music studies, choral education, instrumental education and liturgical music: seven semesters; (2) performance: eight semesters.

A variety of ensembles, both instrumental and vocal are offered at St. John's and St. Ben's. The instrumental ensembles available include:

Wind Ensemble -- Dale White, Director: A group consisting of approximately forty players. The ensemble performs mainly original wind (band) literature with a special emphasis on 20th century.
Orchestra -- David Arnott, Director: Performs standard chamber orchestra repertoire.
Jazz Ensemble -- Bruce Thornton, Director: Performance of contemporary literature for stage band.
Saxophone Quartet-- Richard Dirlam, Director: Intensive study of saxophone chamber music.
Brass Choir -- Dale White, Director: A select brass chamber group performing original and transcribed works for 12-18 players.
Percussion and Marimba Ensemble -- Patti Cudd, Director: A group which studies various works for all percussion instruments.
Ensemble Performance -- Pre-arranged vocal and instrumental ensembles. Weekly or biweekly coaching. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Ensembles include:
Woodwind Ensemble -- Bruce Thornton, coach
Jazz Combo -- Bruce Thornton, coach
String Chamber Music -- David Arnott, coach
Guitar Ensemble -- O. Nicholas Raths, coach

The vocal ensembles available include:

Chamber Choir -- Axel Theimer, Director: A choir consisting of men and women who perform sacred and secular choral works form the Renaissance to the present. Audition required. Frequent U.S. Tours and periodic international trips.
Men's Chorus -- Axel Theimer, Director: An auditioned choir open to all male students. They perform great choral works from the Renaissance to the present. Concert tours and periodic international trips.
Women's Chorus -- Teri Larson, Director: An auditioned choir open to all female students. They perform choral music of representative periods. Concert tours and periodic European trips.
All-College Choir -- Maureen Putnam, Director: A large non-auditioned SATB ensemble primarily for non-music majors which meets once a week.
Chapel Choir -- Regina Gabriel, Director: SATB ensemble primarily for non-music majors. This ensemble performs Liturgical music from Gregorian Chant to contemporary music at liturgies on the CSB campus. This group meets once a week.
Gregorian Chant Schola-- Fr. Anthony Ruff, OSB, Director. Ensemble for any interested and qualified singers, audition interview required. Unison singing of Latin Gregorian chant based on scholarly interpretation theories. Several appearances per semester at various campus liturgies, rehearsal once a week.

Thursday Student Recitals: Thursday Student Recitals are held weekly, on alternating campuses (odd Thursdays -- at CSB in the Recital Hall; even Thursdays -- at SJU in the Choral Rehearsal Room MU 028, unless noted for alternative space). All music majors are required to attend. Attendance is taken. Anyone wishing to perform can fill out the form by clicking here. By clicking 'submit' at the end of the form, it will be emailed to the recital coordinator. Individuals need to submit their form by noon on Monday of the week they wish to perform. Early submission of forms for later dates is recommended since recitals often fill up. Performers are accepted on a first come, first served basis.

The Thursday Recital Dates for the 2007-2008 academic year are as follows:

Fall Semester

October 9 CSB
October 16 SJU
October 23 CSB
October 30 SJU
November 6 CSB
November 13 SJU
November 20 CSB
December 4 SJU (Organ Students Only)

Spring Semester

January 22 CSB
January 29 SJU
February 5 CSB
February 12 SJU
February 19 CSB
February 26 SJU
March 12 CSB
March 19 SJU
March 26 CSB
April 2 SJU (Organ Students Only)
April 16 CSB
April 23 SJU