PERFORMANCE JURIES
All applied music students must take a jury examination at the end of each semester during Finals Week. In effect, the performance jury at the end of every term is the equivalent of a final exam for every applied area of study. If DMA students have performed a recital that semester in fulfillment of degree requirements, they may be exempted from a jury examination.
Scheduling is done by individual sign-up for the Finals Week juries. Approximately 10 days prior to juries, sign-up sheets are posted on the appropriate applied faculty doors (usually the head of the area, such as brass, woodwinds, voice, etc.). The specific content and length of each student's jury is determined by the applied area. A panel of area faculty members serves as the evaluating group; each member registers a grade for the performance and the results are averaged together. The final jury grade is weighed as one third of the current semester's final applied studio grade.
Failure to meet expected standards in a jury can result in probationary status for one semester, at the end of which significant improvement must be demonstrated. If standards are not sufficiently met, dismissal from the applied area or the reduction or elimination of financial support may be considered by the appropriate area faculty member.
RECITALS FOR PERFORMANCE & JAZZ STUDIES-PERFORMANCE STUDENTS
DMA students in instrumental and vocal performance, and in jazz studies-performance, give five degree recitals. These five recitals may be given in any order, though customarily the lecture-recital is the last to be given. Three must be successfully completed prior to comprehensive examinations.
Students must register for each recital. There is no required minimum number of credits that must be earned in recitals, so students may enroll for zero (0) credit in MUSR 98, or they may enroll for 1-3 credits in MUSR 998. The maximum total number of credits earned in MUSR 998 is not to exceed 12.
Students must be enrolled in applied music with their primary teacher during the semester a degree recital is given. If the grade of incomplete is recorded for a recital, the student will be required to register for applied music in the semester in which the recital is given (credit hours to be determined by the supervisory committee).
In a semester in which a DMA student has performed a recital in fulfillment of degree requirements, that student may be exempted from the end-of-semester jury.
RECITAL OPTIONS
For DMA Students in Performance (includes Jazz Studies-Performance):
The student performs four full-length recitals (each at least 50 minutes performing time) and a lecture recital. Recitals may contain one or more works of chamber music, at the discretion of the Supervisory Committee and in accordance with the policies of the student’s performance area.
For DMA Students Pursuing the Chamber Music-Performance Option only:
The student performs three full-length chamber music recitals (each at least 50 minutes performing time), one full-length solo recital, and a lecture recital featuring solo or chamber music.
[Note: A student performing chamber music on a recital may register for chamber music or small jazz combo credit and recital credit concurrently. Other students performing in the chamber ensemble or small jazz combo on a recital may register for chamber music or small jazz combo credit if the chamber/small jazz combo music-making is coached and is pursued throughout the entire semester. Pianists enrolled in chamber music may not charge an accompanist's recital fee for the enrolled recital.]
[Note: A faculty member coaching a chamber ensemble that is performing for DMA recital credit in a given semester does not get load credit for this coaching unless the ensemble rehearses throughout the semester and meets the chamber music course performance requirements.]
SUBSTITUTIONS FOR VOICE STUDENTS
For DMA students in vocal performance, an opera role or roles in an UNL opera production may substitute for a maximum of one of the full-length recitals at the discretion of the Supervisory Committee. The Graduate Committee of the Glenn Korff School of Music must then approve the substitution. The request for substitution should occur well in advance of all performances to allow the members of the student's Supervisory Committee to attend and assess the performance. As with any recital, a Graduate Recital Review Form with grades must be submitted by the Committee. The student also will fulfill all the usual aspects of the recital process, such as enrollment for recital credit and payment of the recital fee.
THE LECTURE RECITAL
One lecture recital is required. It must be at least 60 minutes in length (maximum, 75 minutes) and involve performance of one or more compositions. The verbal presentation by the student is intended to serve as a model for future professional presentations. It must contribute to existing knowledge and may concern the historical background, the musical structure, pedagogical issues and other matters relevant to the performance or composition(s). Emphasis should be given to those points which have a bearing on the manner of performance of the music. Before this recital can be scheduled, a formal, typewritten paper consisting of or including the verbal presentation must be given signed approval by the chair of the student's Supervisory Committee. The paper must be filed with the Enrollment Specialist.
REPERTOIRE APPROVAL
Approval of repertoire in advance of recitals is the prerogative of the Supervisory Committee, and as such, the specific process will vary from area to area. Stipulations regarding the process for receiving advanced approval of recital repertoire should be communicated to the student by the Supervisory Committee at the same time the committee chair advises the student of the chair's notification to the Graduate Committee that the Program of Studies has received Supervisory Committee approval.
RECITAL DURATION
Each DMA doctoral student in performance must perform full-length recitals of at least 50 minutes and no more than 60 minutes duration (actual performing time) and a lecture recital of at least 60 minutes duration (actual presentation/performing time). The maximum recital length applies only to recitals given in Kimball Hall or Westbrook Recital Hall (WMB rm 119). The total time available for each recital or lecture recital will include fifteen minutes of preparation time in the recital hall and a maximum time of 75 minutes for the recital itself (start on-stage to finish off-stage).
RECITALS FOR CONDUCTING STUDENTS
DMA conducting students should know that approval of repertoire in advance of recitals is the prerogative of the Supervisory Committee, and as such, the specific process will vary from area to area. Stipulations regarding the process for receiving advanced approval of recital repertoire should be communicated to the student by the Supervisory Committee at the same time the committee chair advises the student of the chair's notification to the Graduate Committee that the Program of Studies has received Supervisory Committee approval. Students must be enrolled in applied music with their primary teacher during the semester in which a degree recital is given.
In the Program of Studies there is no required minimum number of credits for recitals.
The DMA conducting student must complete the equivalent of a total of three (3) full recitals, of which one must be a full recital conducted throughout by the student. In special circumstances with the permission of the Supervisory Committee, a student may perform two half recitals in lieu of one full recital. Thus, the remaining two recitals may be completed as full recitals, or half recitals.
In respect to duration, a full recital by a DMA conducting student is defined as a recital totaling 50 minutes of performing time or two half recitals totaling 50 minutes of performing time. The total time available for each recital or lecture recital will include fifteen minutes of preparation time in the recital hall and a maximum time of 75 minutes for the recital itself (start on-stage to finish off-stage).
Each half-recital is to be evaluated separately (as, for example, "Recital 2A" and "Recital 2B") and the two grades averaged. Moreover, the two Graduate Recital Review Forms for the pair of half-recitals are to be submitted to the Enrollment Specialist together, along with an indication of the averaged grade, only after the second half-recital has taken place. Similarly, if the two half-recitals are presented in different semesters, the student will enroll for recital credit and pay the recital fee only in the semester during which the second half-recital takes place.
SUBSTITUTIONS FOR CONDUCTING STUDENTS
For a DMA student in conducting, recital credit may also be granted, at the discretion of the Supervisory Committee and with the approval of the Glenn Korff School of Music Graduate Committee, for work by that conducting student in the preparation of a component of a larger collaborative performance, whether or not the student conducts the final collaborative product. This contingency accommodates such responsibilities as serving as chorus master for an opera or choral-instrumental work. Only one of the required full recitals may be completed in this manner.
The request for substitution should occur well in advance of the performance. It is the responsibility of the Supervisory Committee to determine prior to the start of the rehearsal process whether the scope of the work and rehearsal process merit consideration as a full-recital or half-recital. Assessment by the Supervisory Committee will take place during the rehearsal process, at the conclusion of which a Recital Evaluation Form with grade must be submitted. The student will fulfill all the usual aspects of the recital process, such as enrollment for recital credit, payment of the recital fee, and completion of program notes.
DEADLINES
Two of the three conducting recitals must be successfully completed prior to taking the comprehensive examinations. The third conducting recital is usually performed after the student has passed the comprehensive examination and is admitted into candidacy for the degree.
PROGRAM NOTES
Students shall write programnotes for all degree recitals. Program notes shall be due to the chair of the supervisory committee at least four weeks prior to each performance. After consultation with the chair, program notes will be provided to the committee for optional review at least three weeks prior to the performance. All program materials are due two weeks prior to the performance. Program notes should reflect a balance of vernacular and scholarly content and style.
PERFORMING FORCES
Performing forces for DMA conducting recitals are obtained in one of the following three ways:
Most customarily, the student organizes his/her own ensemble, of a size appropriate to the repertoire approved for the recital. Ensemble personnel consists primarily of UNL student musicians engaged by the student conductor; when necessary, these forces may be augmented by professional musicians from outside UNL. Any expenses incurred the formation of the recital ensemble are the responsibility of the conducting student. Performing personnel should be selected in close consultation with studio faculty in the student's performing area, and a complete written list of performers must be approved by the Chair of the student's Supervisory Committee prior to the first rehearsal. The student also assumes responsibility for all rehearsals, rehearsal space, rehearsal accompanists, instruments, scores and parts, and performance location.
Less commonly, a standing ensemble of the Glenn Korff School of Music may on occasion be available for use in all or part of a DMA conducting recital. Again, this situation arises relatively rarely, and always at the discretion of the ensemble's director and instructor of record and with the approval of the Chair of the student's Supervisory Committee.
In exceptional circumstances, a standing ensemble from outside the Glenn Korff School of Music may be used for a DMA conducting recital. These circumstances are likely to exist when the conducting student is affiliated with an outside ensemble as its director or as an associate conductor, and when the outside ensemble is judged by the student's Supervisory Committee to exhibit a technical and artistic level of performance commensurate with the level of conducting technique and interpretation expected of a student in the DMA program. Any UNL graduate student conductor desiring to use a non-UNL ensemble must request permission, in writing, from his/her Supervisory Committee. The conducting student presenting the recital is responsible for initiating the written petition and must obtain signatures from all his/her Supervisory Committee members and approval from the Graduate Committee before the recital is scheduled. A copy of the approved petition is to be placed in the student's official folder.
RECITALS FOR COMPOSITION & JAZZ STUDIES-COMPOSITION STUDENTS
DMA students in Composition and in Jazz Studies-Composition should know that approval of repertoire in advance of recitals is the prerogative of the Supervisory Committee and as such, will vary from to area to area. Stipulations regarding advanced approval of recital repertoire should be communicated to the student by the Supervisory Committee at the same time that the chair advises the student of the chair's notification to the Graduate Committee that the Program of Studies has received Supervisory Committee approval. Students must be enrolled in composition lessons with their primary teacher during the semester in which a degree recital is given.
For a doctoral student in Composition, a minimum of two (2) recitals is required; one of which must be successfully completed prior to comprehensive examinations. The second recital, a lecture recital, is usually performed after the student has passed the comprehensive examination and is admitted into candidacy for the degree. A minimum of thirty minutes of required compositions must be programmed on each recital. Thus, a doctoral student in Composition must compose a minimum of sixty minutes of original music after being admitted to the doctoral program.
For a doctoral student in Jazz Studies-Composition, a minimum of three (3) recitals is required, two of which must be successfully completed prior to comprehensive examinations. The third recital, a lecture recital, is usually performed after the student has passed the comprehensive examination and is admitted into candidacy for the degree. A minimum of thirty minutes of required compositions/arrangements must be programmed on each recital. Thus, a doctoral student in Jazz Studies-Composition must compose/arrange a minimum of ninety minutes of original music after being admitted to the doctoral program.
The total time available for each recital or lecture recital will include fifteen minutes of preparation time in the recital hall and a maximum time of 75 minutes for the recital itself (start on-stage to finish off-stage). The maximum recital length applies only to recitals given in Kimball Hall or Westbrook Recital Hall (WMB rm 119).
RECITAL PROCEDURES
Students who want to give a solo or chamber recital in Glenn Korff School of Music facilities, whether that recital is for degree credit or not, must follow certain rules and regulations. Off-campus recitals by GKSOM students may be bound by certain stipulations as well.
Enrollment
Students must be concurrently enrolled in major applied lessons during the semester in which they give a degree recital. Non-degree recitals do not require enrollment, unless for some reason the student wishes to have the recital on their transcript.
Recital Course Numbers
MM and DMA students use the course number MUSR 98-Grad Recital (and for additional recitals, under some circumstances, MUSR 91A and MUSR 91B) for zero-credit degree recitals.
DMA students use MUSR 998 (1-3 credits) for a degree recital (including the lecture recital), if it is to be for credit, up to a maximum of 12 credits in the program of study.
Recital Sign-Up
Students performing degree recitals (both on and off campus) must complete recital sign-up procedures and pay the recital fee.
Recital scheduling for recitals takes place at the start of each semester with graduate students receiving priority scheduling beginning at the start of the second week of classes. Recital sign-up continues through the end of the fifth week of classes.
Priority in scheduling goes to graduate students over undergraduates, and to degree recitals over non-degree recitals.
Students enrolled for recital credit can schedule a recital by visiting https://unlscheduling.nebraska.edu/, logging in (top, right corner), and choosing the appropriate reservation form. The graduate degree recital form will be made available starting on Monday in the second week of classes. Both recital forms will close on Monday of the sixth week of classes.
Once you secure a recital date and time, you will receive an email that will include a linked form. The form generates a contract that will include your recital date, time, location, and advisor/committee contact email addresses. Your recital contract will then be sent to your committee for signatures. When the contract is signed by all committee members, you will receive instructions for submitting your program information. At this time, you will also see a charge for the recital fee posted to your UNL student account for the next month’s billing cycle.
DEADLINES FOR ALL DMA DEGREE RECITALS
TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO RECITAL
Students must submit recital program data to the Glenn Korff School of Music office two weeks prior to the recital (see Recital Programs). Further, students also must submit the Supervisory Committee Recital Checklist to the Enrollment Specialist two weeks before the scheduled degree recital. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of the recital.
Supervisory Committee Chairs must be present in person at all recitals. Other Committee members who cannot be present for a recital may use recordings/videos/livestreaming to participate in the recital adjudication. If it is not possible to use technology to circumvent the absence, the student may secure a faculty member not on the Committee as a substitute to adjudicate the recital, with approval of the Committee Chair.
NOTE: THE STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING A RECORDING OF THE RECITAL TO THE COMMITTEE MEMBER WHO CANNOT ATTEND IN PERSON OR FOR OBTAINING A FACULTY MEMBER TO SUBSTITUTE FOR ANY MEMBER OF THE SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE WHO CANNOT ATTEND THE DEGREE RECITAL. ADDITIONALLY, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO COMMUNICATE TO EACH MEMBER OF THE SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE ANY CHANGES OF AGREED TIME OR DATE OF THE RECITAL.
ONE WEEK PRIOR TO RECITAL
Remind the supervisory committee members of the recital date. Further, should unforeseen circumstances call for a last-minute committee substitution, it is still the student who is responsible for finding a substitute for a committee member who is not able to attend. If a substitute is necessary, the Enrollment Specialist must be informed of the substitution.
LECTURE RECITAL TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION
DMA students giving a Lecture Recital should contact the Sound Recording / IT Associate, Cameron Shoemaker (108 Westbrook Music Building) well in advance of the date of the recital regarding information and training on the presentation equipment in Westbrook 119.
PIANO ACCOMPANIST POLICY FOR DMA STUDIO LESSONS, JURIES, AND DEGREE RECITALS
In order to provide a positive studio and performance environment for students, the Glenn Korff School of Music employs staff accompanists, graduate teaching assistants, and pianists registered in MUDC/MUCO 440/840 (A and/or B) to support applied studio lessons, semester juries, and departmental recitals as much as possible.
Assignment Procedure
All faculty members receive an Accompanist Request Form for each applied major at the outset of each semester. The request form requires providing information such as the student's name, class standing, semester repertoire, and recital plans. Studio assignments are made based on a priority system that considers degree status, recital preparation, and the availability of accompanists. It is the responsibility of the instructor, the student, and the accompanist together to decide upon suitable lesson times for the semester.
Additional services beyond those able to be supported by the School in any given semester (in particular, services such as degree recitals and/or recital preparation) must be contracted directly by students with accompanists at their hourly rates. In order to avoid potential misunderstandings it is strongly recommended that students determine all costs with their accompanists prior to any engagement.