Senior Assessments/Graduation Standards

  • For BM senior assessment juries:
    Recital jury time is approximately 20 minutes. You may choose which piece to perform first, then the jury committee will select from your recital repertoire. A minimum average score of 35/50 must be achieved to pass. See jury rubrics for more information.
  • For BME senior assessment juries:
    Recital jury time is approximately 15 minutes. You may choose which piece to perform first, then the jury committee will select from your recital repertoire. A minimum average score of 35/50 must be achieved to pass. See jury rubrics for more information.

BRASS

  • TRUMPET
    • BM
      • A 60-minute (minimum) recital consisting of at least 4 contrasting pieces on at least 3 different instruments.
      • Instrumental assessments and recitals in the BM may not repeat repertoire from previous assessments and recitals.
        • Performance quality must be at or very close to a professional standard in tone, phrasing, endurance, range, articulation, technique, facility, etc.
    • BME
      • A 30-minute (minimum) recital consisting of at least 3 contrasting pieces.
        • Performance quality must be at or approaching a pre-professional level. One or two years away from achieving a professional standard of tone, phrasing, endurance, range, articulation, technique, facility, etc.
  • HORN
    • BM
      • A 60-minute (minimum) recital consisting of at least 4 contrasting pieces from a range of musical eras.
      • Instrumental assessments and recitals in the BM may not repeat repertoire from previous assessments and recitals.
        • Performance quality must be at or very close to a professional standard in tone, phrasing, endurance, range, articulation, technique, facility, etc. Understanding of musical expression must be demonstrated.
    • BME
      • A 30-minute (minimum) recital consisting of at least 3 contrasting pieces from a range of musical eras.
        • Performance quality must be at or approaching a pre-professional level. One or two years away from achieving a professional standard of tone, phrasing, endurance, range, articulation, technique, facility, etc. Understanding of musical expression must be demonstrated.
  • TROMBONE
    • BM
      • A 60-minute (minimum) recital consisting of at least 4 contrasting pieces.
      • Instrumental assessments and recitals in the BM may not repeat repertoire from previous assessments and recitals.
        • Performance quality must be at or very close to a professional standard in tone, phrasing, endurance, range, articulation, technique, facility, etc.
    • BME
      • A 30-minute (minimum) recital consisting of at least 3 contrasting pieces.
        • Performance quality must be at or approaching a pre-professional level. One or two years away from achieving a professional standard of tone, phrasing, endurance, range, articulation, technique, facility, etc.
  • EUPHONIUM
    • BM
      • A 60-minute (minimum) recital consisting of at least 4 contrasting pieces.
      • Instrumental assessments and recitals in the BM may not repeat repertoire from previous assessments and recitals.
        • Performance quality must be at or very close to a professional standard in tone, phrasing, endurance, range, articulation, technique, facility, etc.
      • Upper register with a useable concert high Eb and a double pedal C.
      • Fluency in Bb treble clef, as well as tenor clef.
    •  BME
      • A 30-minute (minimum) recital consisting of at least 3 contrasting pieces.
        • Performance quality must be at or approaching a pre-professional level. One or two years away from achieving a professional standard of tone, phrasing, endurance, range, articulation, technique, facility, etc.
      • Upper register consists of useable high concert C# and a pedal F.
      • Fluency in Bb treble clef, as well as tenor clef.
  • TUBA
    • BM
      • A 60-minute (minimum) recital consisting of at least 4 contrasting pieces.
      • Instrumental assessments and recitals in the BM may not repeat repertoire from previous assessments and recitals.
        • Performance quality must be at or very close to a professional standard in tone, phrasing, endurance, range, articulation, technique, facility, etc.
    • BME
      • A 30-minute (minimum) recital consisting of at least 3 contrasting pieces.
        • Performance quality must be at or approaching a pre-professional level. One or two years away from achieving a professional standard of tone, phrasing, endurance, range, articulation, technique, facility, etc.

COMPOSITION

  • BM
    • A 30 minute presentation during Finals Week of:
      • A significant composition or compositions that demonstrate the student’s current abilities and breadth of exploration since the Junior Jury. This will be presented in verbal analysis using whatever handouts are useful—score, chart, lyrics or other documents as are appropriate and relevant—and then performed live or via recording.
      • The portfolio (scores, charts, recordings) of all previous compositions created to date while at PLU.
      • A Composition List, including dates and divided by category, showing the student’s comprehensive output to date.
    • Students perform a separate, semester jury in their performance medium.

ORGAN

  • BM
    • A 60-minute (minimum) recital representing at least three periods and geographical areas, one of which should be a major Bach work.
    • Instrumental assessments and recitals in the BM may not repeat repertoire from previous assessments and recitals.
    • Students should display a strong measure of technical proficiency and musical maturity, and a thorough understanding of musical style and performance practice considerations.

PIANO

  • BM
    • A 60-minute (minimum) recital representing at least three periods, performed by memory.
    • Instrumental assessments and recitals in the BM may not repeat repertoire from previous assessments and recitals.
    • Students should display a strong measure of technical proficiency and musical maturity, and a thorough understanding of musical style.
      • Recital must include a complete Classical sonata
      • Collaborative repertoire may be included, not to exceed 25% of the 60-minute minimum playing time (ca 15 minutes). ​Collaborative repertoire does not need to be memorized.
  • BME
    • A 30-minute (minimum) recital that includes works from at least three different periods.
    • Performance quality must be at or approaching a pre-professional level. At least 50% of the recital material is to be performed from memory.

STRINGS

  • BM
    • A 60-minute (minimum) recital of at least three complete major works in contrasting style prepared to the level of a conservatory student
      • Collaborative repertoire may be included, not to exceed 25% of the 60-minute minimum playing time (ca 15 minutes)
    • Instrumental assessments and recitals in the BM may not repeat repertoire from previous assessments and recitals.
  •  BME
    • A 30-minute (minimum) recital of at least two complete works in contrasting style prepared to a level appropriate for public performance
      • Collaborative repertoire may be included, but must be in addition to the 30 minute minimum time

VOICE

  • BM
    • A full recital (60 minutes of Music) in a variety of styles and languages; students should display an understanding of foreign language translation, an advanced understanding of stage deportment, and a thorough understanding of musical style.
  •  BME
    • A Half recital (30 minutes of Music) in a variety of styles and languages; students should display an understanding of foreign language translation, a growing understanding of stage deportment, and a thorough understanding of musical style.

WOODWINDS

  • BM
    • A 60-minute recital performance of at least three works in contrasting styles from several eras, including one work for chamber ensemble
    • Students should display a strong measure of technical proficiency on their instrument, advanced understanding of stage deportment, and a thorough understanding of musical style.
    • Instrumental assessments and recitals in the BM may not repeat repertoire from previous assessments and recitals.
  • BME
    • A half-recital (30 minutes) of music in contrasting styles from several eras
    • Students should display a strong measure of technical proficiency on their instrument, a growing understanding of stage deportment, and a thorough understanding of musical style.