Skip Section Navigation

For information about scheduling, including deadlines for degree recitals each semester, visit Music Scheduling. 

Vocal Performance majors (junior, senior, MM, and DMA) have a recital requirement as part of their degree.  Voice Concentration and BA students may choose to do a non-degree recital with approval of their studio teacher.    

Programs must be submitted through the Event Program Submmision Portal no later than 3 weeks before the recital. If more than one singer is on the program (e.g., for a junior recital), both singers should be on the same recital form that is turned into the program office.  

Senior, MM, DMA, and GAC-Voice recitals* require program notes written by the student singer as well as translations of non-English texts.  MM and DMA students should print out a minimum of three sets of program notes for their committee members to have during the recital.  Program notes will reflect a degree-appropriate level of scholarship and will indicate any sources referenced in footnotes or a bibliography. Approximately 1-2 paragraphs per group or 3-5 sentences per individual song (if not part of a group) are expected. Translations must include original language texts and English translations, noting the source for the translation. Texts for works originally in English must also be included. Students must turn in the program notes and translations to their studio teacher at least two weeks before the recital.  *DMA and GAC students performing an opera role for a recital credit do not submit program notes. 

Degree-Specific Requirements 

Junior Recitals 

All vocal performance majors enrolled in the second semester of MUAM 3503 must complete a junior recital 

  • No hearing is required.  
  • Typically, two singers will share a one-hour recital slot.   
  • Each singer should present a minimum of 22 minutes of music.  
  • Juniors may program up to 40% arias (opera or oratorio) or musical theater repertoire.  Repertoire must be approved by the studio teacher.  
  • All music is to be performed by memory unless common practice allows use of the score, as in the case of chamber music or oratorio. Recitals should not be sung with more 10% of the music (in minutes) with score. 
  • The junior recital should include a variety of languages, musical styles, and historical periods. 
  • One vocal duet is allowed.  
  • Any program that veers from this typical design should be approved by the voice faculty at least one month prior to the recital. 
Senior Recitals 
  • Students will perform their senior recital while enrolled in the capstone course MUAG 4712.  The capstone grade will be given by the capstone course teacher in consultation with the studio teacher.  Students are responsible for knowing the requirements for the capstone course not listed in this handbook.   
  • A recital hearing before the voice faculty is required. The hearing must be passed in order for the recital to be presented. The hearing must be a minimum of 10 days prior to the recital. The studio teacher and student must arrange a hearing time during which at least 3 full-time members of the applied voice faculty present (including the studio teacher), and are responsible for reserving a suitable space in the Music Building. Students must bring a copy of the recital program for each juror, as well as one copy of their complete repertoire sheet (See "Degree Repertoire Requirements" tab.) No other form is required. If a student has included a chamber music piece on their recital program, the chamber ensemble must be present at the recital hearing, and the Voice Faculty will choose something from that piece at the hearing. The recital hearing is graded “pass/fail” by the faculty in attendance. Should a student not pass the hearing, the recital will be postponed until after the hearing is re-scheduled and passed. Only the student's voice teacher grades the recital performance.  
  • Students must prepare 45-50 minutes of music.  The entire program, including any remarks given as part of the Capstone requirement, must not exceed 50 minutes.   
  • Seniors may program up to 40% arias (opera or oratorio) or musical theater repertoire.  Repertoire must be approved by the studio teacher.  
  • All music is to be performed by memory unless common practice allows use of the score, as in the case of chamber music or oratorio. Recitals should not be sung with more 10% of the music (in minutes) with score. 
  • The typical recital will include at least four languages representing different musical styles and periods. 
  • Any program that veers from this typical design should be approved by the voice faculty at least one month prior to the hearing. 
  • Singers planning degree recitals are not permitted to re-program repertoire performed on a student's own previous degree recital, regardless of institution.  Exception: singers may re-program songs from a song cycle or other large work if they performed no more than 25% of the songs on a previous degree recital. For example, a singer may program on an upcoming degree recital the entire Dichterliebe cycle if no more than 25% of those songs were performed on a previous degree recital (4 of the 16 songs). In addition, individual songs or arias performed on a previous degree recital that were not part of a larger work may not be re-programmed. With the approval of the major professor, singers may request exceptions, by petitioning the DVS.  In planning a degree recital, students are expected to discuss with their major professor all repertoire sung on previous degree recitals.  
MM Recitals 
  • No hearing is required. A panel of three faculty members (the studio teacher plus two additional Division of Vocal Studies faculty) will adjudicate all MM recitals. 
  • Students must prepare 45-50 minutes of music.  The entire program must not exceed 50 minutes.   
  • All music is to be performed by memory unless common practice allows use of the score, as in the case of chamber music or oratorio. MM recitals should not be sung with more 10% of the music (in minutes) with score. 
  • MM students may program up to 40% arias (opera or oratorio) or musical theater repertoire.  Repertoire must be approved by the studio teacher.  
  • The typical recital will include at least four languages representing different musical styles and periods.  
  • Any program that veers from this typical design should be approved by the voice faculty at least two months prior to the recital. 
  • Singers planning degree recitals are not permitted to re-program repertoire performed on a student's own previous degree recital, regardless of institution.  Exception: singers may re-program songs from a song cycle or other large work if they performed no more than 25% of the songs on a previous degree recital. For example, a singer may program on an upcoming degree recital the entire Dichterliebe cycle if no more than 25% of those songs were performed on a previous degree recital (4 of the 16 songs). In addition, individual songs or arias performed on a previous degree recital that were not part of a larger work may not be re-programmed. With the approval of the major professor, singers may request exceptions, by petitioning the DVS.  In planning a degree recital, students are expected to discuss with their major professor all repertoire sung on previous degree recitals.  
DMA Recitals 
  • No hearing is required. A panel of three faculty (the studio teacher plus two additional College of Music faculty) will adjudicate all DMA recitals.  It is recommended that the panel members not be the same for all of the required recitals, but the final lecture recital and oral defense committees should be the same. 
  • All music is to be performed by memory unless common practice allows use of the score, as in the case of chamber music or oratorio 
  • Students must prepare 45-50 minutes of music.  The entire program must not exceed 50 minutes.   
  • DMA students who wish to count a leading opera role as a recital (this may occur one time only) must submit a petition through their major professor to the Division Chair.  The voice faculty will vote on allowing the recital to count as a DMA recital.   DMA students who are performing an opera role in fulfillment of one of the DMA recitals must be enrolled in either MUGC 6951, MUGC 6952, or MUGC 6953, and have a recital committee, as they would for a regular DMA recital.  Students must go into the College of Music scheduling portal and input the date they want in MPAC/Lyric Theater. There is an option to select Lyric Theater 1 or  Lyric Theater 2.  That means that as many as two singers can sign up for the same evening without being blocked with a conflict message.  If a date has already been booked, the singer should choose option Lyric Theater 2. They should then continue to input their information including the committee names.  
  • DMA students must obtain a repertoire form and comment sheet from the Division's Administrative Coordinator and give that form (once filled out) to the major professor.  Once the recital is completed, the major professor will  enter the appropriate score onto the form, and turn it into the Administrative Coordinator.   
  • DMA students must complete either a recital or a jury by the end of the two long semesters in an academic year.   
  • DMA students should consult the DMA Handbook for additional requirements. Information regarding counting an opera role for a recital and the necessary procedure to do so will be found in that document as well.   
  • Singers planning degree recitals are not permitted to re-program repertoire performed on a student's own previous degree recital, regardless of institution.  Exception: singers may re-program songs from a song cycle or other large work if they performed no more than 25% of the songs on a previous degree recital. For example, a singer may program on an upcoming degree recital the entire Dichterliebe cycle if no more than 25% of those songs were performed on a previous degree recital (4 of the 16 songs). In addition, individual songs or arias performed on a previous degree recital that were not part of a larger work may not be re-programmed. With the approval of the major professor, singers may request exceptions, by petitioning the DVS.  In planning a degree recital, students are expected to discuss with their major professor all repertoire sung on previous degree recitals.  
  • Two dissertation recitals must be solo recitals and the remaining recital may be flexible (for example chamber/ensemble music, or a major opera role with the approval of the Voice Faculty and GPDC.)  
  • Only one oratorio/sacred music/chamber music recital can be performed using the score for over 50% (in minutes) of the entire recital, and no more than 10% of any other recital can be performed holding the score. MM recitals should not be sung with more 10% of the music (in minutes) with score. 
Graduate Artist Certificate (GAC) - Recitals 
  • No hearing required. A panel of three faculty members (the studio teacher plus two additional Division faculty) will adjudicate all GAC recitals. 
  • Students must prepare 45-50 minutes of music.  The entire program, including any remarks given, must not exceed 50 minutes.  
  • All music is to be performed by memory unless common practice allows use of the score: as in the case of chamber music or oratorio. Only one oratorio/sacred music/chamber music recital can be performed using the score for over 50% (in minutes) of the entire recital, and no more than 10% of any other recital can be performed holding the score. MM recitals should not be sung with more 10% of the music (in minutes) with score. 
  • Singers planning GAC recitals are not permitted to re-program repertoire performed on a student's own previous degree or GAC recital, regardless of institution.  Exception: singers may re-program songs from a song cycle or other large work if they performed no more than 25% of the songs on a previous degree recital. For example, a singer may program on an upcoming degree recital the entire Dichterliebe cycle if no more than 25% of those songs were performed on a previous degree recital (4 of the 16 songs). In addition, individual songs or arias performed on a previous degree recital that were not part of a larger work may not be re-programmed. With the approval of the major professor, singers may request exceptions, by petitioning the DVS.  In planning a degree recital, students are expected to discuss with their major professor all repertoire sung on previous degree recitals.  
  • Singers cast in an opera role that is accepted for GAC credit must fill out their performance information through schedulefm.  Using Schedulefm to create committee notice:  Students must go into the portal Schedulefm and input the date they want in MPAC/Lyric Theater. There is an option to select Lyric Theater 1, Lyric Theater 2 or Lyric Theater 3.  That means that as many as three singers can sign up for the same evening without being blocked with a conflict message.  If a date has already been booked, the singer should choose option Lyric Theater 2 or Lyric Theater 3. They should then continue to input their information including the committee names. As it is not possible to change the Lyric Theater times to 3:00 or 7:30, the singers should select a time that's nearest 3:00 or 7:30.