Guidelines for Graduate Choral Conducting Recitals

The purpose of the graduate conducting recital is for the student to demonstrate effectiveness as a conductor and to illustrate the student's ability to deal effectively with music of various periods and styles. The process of preparing a recital begins with the selection of the program and recruiting of the ensemble, and extends through planning and running rehearsals and conducting the final performance. The information in this document serves as a guide for your use as you plan your work. It does not replace the University of Miami Graduate Bulletin or the information from the School of Music Graduate Office and is in no way a contractual document.

Requirements

MASTER OF MUSIC: At least one full-length recital (or its equivalent), to include music selected from at least four style periods. Three credits (MVP 710) are awarded for the completion of the recital paper. The paper must be completed the semester prior to the recital.

DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS: At least two full-length recitals (or the equivalent) are required. Music must represent a variety of styles and historical periods. The final recital may not be given until Qualifying Examinations have been passed, reservations have been removed, research tool subjects have been completed, and a proposal for the Doctoral Essay has been approved by the student's committee. The student must be admitted to candidacy before the final recital. The Doctoral Essay must be related to music presented in the final recital. The analysis portion of the Doctoral Essay, as well as an annotated outline and bibliography, must be approved by the Choral Faculty before rehearsals for the final recital begin. It is a policy of the Choral Division that the M.M. recital and at least one D.M.A. recital should feature a choral/instrumental ensemble work.

Supervisory Committee

By the time the student begins to select music for the first recital, he/she should discuss the make up of the Supervisory Committee with the Program Director for Choral Studies. A formal request should then be made of the Graduate Office of the School of Music that the committee be appointed.

The committee for Master's degree students will consist of three members, two from Choral Studies and one from another music area. Of these, one shall be a regular member of the Graduate Faculty.

The committee for Doctoral students will consist of five members, three from the Choral Studies Area, and two others selected from the Music Education, Music Literature, or Music Theory faculty.

The duties of the committee are:

1. To advise the student on his/her recital repertoire, creative work, and research.

2. To adjudicate the quality of the student's recital(s) and the Recital Paper or Doctoral Essay.

3. To administer the oral defense of the Recital Paper or Doctoral Essay.

Selection and Preparation of Literature

1. The student should select music for his/her recital(s) with reference to the requirements for the degree (given above) and with consideration for effective programming and the ensemble which will perform. A suggested program must be brought to the Committee Chair for discussion during the semester prior to the recital. Copies of the proposed program should then be brought to the entire committee for discussion and official final approval. This must be done prior to the beginning of rehearsals.

2. Study and preparation of the music must begin well in advance of the first rehearsal in consultation with the Committee Chair. Analysis of the music must be completed before rehearsals begin. Program notes must be submitted for approval three weeks before the recital.

The Recital

1. Recording of the recital is to be arranged by the student at least three weeks in advance of the recital. Arrangements for the recording can be made by contacting Gusman Hall Recording Services. There is a fee for this recording to be paid by the student. A copy of this "official" recital tape and a copy of the recital program are to be given to the School of Music Graduate Studies Office and will be retained as part of the student's permanent file. Fifteen copies of the recital program, a copy of the recital audio tape, and a video tape (students should make arrangements for video taping the recital), are to be given to the Choral Studies Office. Preparation of the recital program in accordance with School of Music policy and procedures is the student's responsibility.

2. Recitals must occur before November 1 for Fall Semester graduation, or April 1 for Spring Semester graduation. No summer recitals are allowed. Organization of the recital chorus is the student's responsibility. All graduate choral students are required to sing in all graduate choral recitals.

3. Occasionally, recital credit may be given for conducting on programs given by University Ensembles if approved in advance by the Committee Chair and the Program Director for Choral Studies.

4. Graduate student conductors are responsible for providing multiple copies of their own music if it is not in the Choral Library of the University of Miami. Performance copies of the music must not be xeroxed. The department does not assume responsibility for purchasing music for graduate recitals, though it may on occasion do so if the music is desired as a permanent part of the library's holdings. Conductors should supply the Supervisory Committee with copies of the recital music prior to each concert.

Criteria for Approval of Graduate Conducting Recitals

1. Quality and efficiency of rehearsals as observed by committee members.

2. Quality of performance. All appropriate aspects of high calibre performance will be considered by the committee. These include such factors as:

a. Effective conducting technique

b. Ensemble precision, balance, and blend.

c. Musical understanding. Is the performance faithful to the score? Does it show structural awareness? Is it stylistically correct? Does it show musical sensitivity?

d. Stage presence, non-musical preparation of the choir relative to organization, concert format, positioning, etc.