Jury Examinations

The purpose of the Jury is to determine if adequate progress is being made in private study to warrant advancement to the next level of private instruction. Progress will be evaluated with special focus on these musical aspects:

  • Sound
  • Technique
  • Musicality/Interpretation/Expression
  • Presentation

Progress should be demonstrated through performance of diverse and appropriate repertoire [which is reflective of the content of the student’s private instruction]. Consult your instructor to determine what repertoire is appropriate for advancement to the next level. One of either the MU 150 or MU 250 jury levels can be all jazz.

All music majors enrolled in private lessons (MU 150, 250, 350) will be required to perform a jury in the Spring of each year during finals week. This requirement must be met (regardless of whether the student passes the jury or not) before permission will be granted to continue lessons. The only exception to this requirement is for students who have passed a senior project (recital) pre-recital that year. Students who have passed the 250 jury, but who fail a higher jury (350), can choose to postpone their next jury until spring. If a student plans to do a senior recital for their senior project, it is recommended that they achieve the 450 level prior to graduating.

Students absent any quarters(s) during the academic year due to study abroad or for any other reason, must communicate this to the department office and with applied teacher. The student must perform a jury at the end of the next full quarter of applied study.

It should be noted that the 250-level jury carries significantly more weight than other juries which are primarily intended to verify progress. Since passing to the 350 level is the minimum required for graduation, it should include a choice of literature that demonstrates a wide range of styles and musical challenges, and a level of competence that is reflective of university training. A student should work carefully with his/her private teacher to select repertoire that is particularly appropriate for this jury. At least two full-time faculty members will hear each jury, and the private instructor will be encouraged to attend. The jury panel may raise or lower a student’s grade by up to one letter grade from that assigned by the instructor.

To schedule a jury, a student must first submit a “Request for Jury” form, signed by the private instructor, by the end of week 5 of the quarter. If the form is not received by the deadline, the student may have to wait until the next quarter to take their jury. This form should indicate the repertoire to be performed, and whether the student needs to use an official departmental accompanist. The department will announce how much rehearsal time will be available per student for each jury; factors which will affect this decision will include, but are not limited to: accompanist availability, number of students performing juries, space availability, and funding considerations. Individual rehearsal times (approximately ten minutes in length) can be confirmed in the Department Office. A copy of all music being performed (with measures numbered) MUST be turned in with the Jury Request form.  If there is a piano part for a piece, an accompanist must be used. It is the student’s responsibility to provide a good quality copy of all music that requires an accompanist when submitting the completed Jury Request Form. It is also the student’s responsibility to arrange for rehearsal time(s) with the staff accompanist(s) prior to the jury date.

Jury Submission Requirements

  • The Applied Jury Request form (AdobeSign) 
    • The form must be completed in conjunction with your applied instructor, who is required to sign the form.
    • You will be prompted to enter your applied instructor’s email address, make sure it’s their Cal Poly email address. If you don’t know what that is, go to the department’s faculty website.
    • When listing the performance pieces on the jury form, indicate your first choice on the top line.
  • Upload a PDF(s) of music you will be performing
    •  If the scores do not include measure numbers, please indicate measure numbers at the beginning of each system.
    • Your filename(s) should contain: your initials, “music” and submission date, e.g., initials-accomp-YYYYMMDD.pdf
    • Failure to upload music will result in cancellation of the jury and lowering of one letter grade for applied lessons.
  •  Upload a PDF(s) of music for piano accompanist Paul Woodring (if applicable)
    •  Clearly indicate cuts and tempo where you might be taking a rit. or other musical nuance.
    • Your filename should contain: your initials, “accomp” and submission date, e.g., initials-accomp-YYYYMMDD.pdf
    • ASAP book time to work with Paul Woodring. If you haven't met with him prior to the jury, your jury will be cancelled AND your applied lesson grade will be lowered one letter grade.
  • Scores, if applicable and relevant to the student's work, should be submitted one week in
    advance of the jury (Friday of week 10).

 

There is a limit of 12 units of credit for state-funded private instruction, corresponding to lessons every quarter for four years (although only 9 units of credit for private instruction are required for the degree). Students who have remained at the same level for 6 units without passing a jury to proceed to the next level may be subject to paying for private instruction until they pass to the next level.

Jury Requirements for each level of Applied Music

The following information may be used as a guide to the expectations for each evaluation level:

  • MU 150–To pass the MU 150 jury (and advance to the 250 level), students must demonstrate significant progress and show good achievement in the musical aspects listed at the beginning of the Jury Examinations section. This should be achieved after completion of 3 quarters of MU 150.
    • Voice:A repertoire of 5 pieces; at least 1 foreign language will be represented, and all pieces much be memorized. A list of this repertoire will be presented to the Jury Committee at the jury. The jury will include 3 of these 5 pieces; the student selects the first piece and the Jury Committee selects the remaining 2.
    • Piano/Guitar: A repertoire of 4 contrasting pieces representing different periods or styles; 3 of the 4 pieces must be memorized. A list of this repertoire will be presented to the Jury Committee at the jury. The jury will include 3 of these 4 pieces; the student selects the first piece and the Jury Committee selects the remaining 2 pieces. The Jury Committee may also ask pianists for scales and arpeggios.
    • Wind & String Instruments: A repertoire of 4 contrasting pieces/études. A list of this repertoire will be presented to the Jury Committee at the jury. The jury will include 2 of these 4 pieces; the student selects the first piece and the Jury Committee selects the remaining piece. The Jury Committee may ask for scales.
    • Jazz:  Etudes, transcribed solos, or head with improvisation for repertoire similar to 12-bar blues, modal, or easy II-V-I tunes, such as “Songs for My Father” and “What Is This Thing Called Love.” A list of this repertoire will be presented to the Jury Committee at the jury. The jury will include 3 of these 4 pieces; the student selects the first piece and the Jury Committee selects the remaining 2.  Solo or play-along recording accompaniment is allowed.
    • Percussion: A repertoire of 3 pieces, including works for mallet, timpani, and snare drum, multi-percussion, world percussion, or drum set. A list of this repertoire will be presented to the Jury Committee at the jury. The student selects the first piece; the Jury Committee selects the order of the remaining 2 pieces.
    • Composition and Music Technology: A portfolio of 3 pieces, showing a range of compositional techniques and styles. A list of these works will be presented to the Jury Committee at the jury. The student selects the first piece; the Jury Committee selects the order of the remaining 2 pieces. The pieces may be presented in a live performance (if performed soley by the student) or audio/video recording. 
  • MU 250–To pass the MU 250 jury (and advance to the 350 level), students must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the three musical aspects listed at the beginning of the Jury Examinations section. This proficiency will be demonstrated in the performance of appropriate repertoire studied during MU 250. Because passing the 250-level jury is required for graduation and represents achievement of a minimum level of performance skills expected of a graduate from the Cal Poly music program, this jury carries significantly more weight than the MU 150-level jury. Therefore, the jury repertory should include a choice of literature that demonstrates a wide range of styles and musical challenges, as well as a level of competence that is reflective of university training. A student should work carefully with his/her private teacher to prepare appropriate repertoire.
    • Voice:A repertoire of 5 pieces not prepared for previous jury levels; at least 2 foreign languages will be represented, and all pieces must be memorized. A list of this repertoire will be presented to the Jury Committee at the jury. The jury will include 3 of these 5 pieces; the student selects the first piece and the Jury Committee selects the remaining 4 pieces.
    • Piano/Guitar: A repertoire of at least 4 significant contrasting pieces not prepared for previous jury levels; these pieces should represent different periods or styles, and 3 of the 4 pieces must be memorized. A list of this repertoire will be presented to the Jury Committee at the jury. The jury will include 2 of these 4 pieces; the student selects the first piece and the Jury Committee selects the remaining piece. The Jury Committee may also ask for scales.
    • Wind & String Instruments:A repertoire of 4 contrasting pieces/études not prepared for previous jury levels. These pieces should represent different periods or styles. A list of this repertoire will be presented to the Jury Committee at the jury. The jury will include 2 of these 4 pieces; the student selects the first piece and the Jury Committee selects the remaining piece. The Jury Committee may also ask for scales.
    • Jazz:  Etudes, transcribed solos, or head with improvisation for repertoire similar to rhythm changes; The Great American Songbook, Latin jazz styles such as bossa, samba, and salsa; or advanced approaches to the blues and modal tunes.  A list of this repertoire will be presented to the Jury Committee at the jury. The jury will include 3 of these 4 pieces; the student selects the first piece and the Jury Committee selects the remaining 2.  Solo or play-along recording accompaniment is allowed.
    • Percussion: A repertoire of 4 pieces, not prepared for previous jury levels, including works for mallet, timpani, and snare drum, multi-percussion, world percussion, or drum set. A list of this repertoire will be presented to the Jury Committee at the jury. The jury will include 3 of these 4 pieces; the student selects the first piece and the Jury Committee selects the remaining 2 pieces.
    • Composition and Music Technology: A portfolio of 3 pieces, not prepared for previous jury levels, showing a range of compositional techniques and styles. A list of these works will be presented to the Jury Committee at the jury. The student selects the first piece; the Jury Committee selects the order of the remaining 2 pieces. The pieces may be presented in a live performance (if performed soley by the student) or audio/video recording.
  • MU 350–To pass the MU 350 jury (and advance to the 450 level), students must demonstrate continued progress and show advanced consistency in the three musical aspects listed at the beginning of the Jury Examinations section. This proficiency will be demonstrated in the performance of appropriate repertoire studied during MU 350. Passing the MU 350 jury is not required for graduation, and therefore signifies a level of competence beyond that which reflects satisfactory completion of university training in the field of music. Students are expected to present a special and compelling musical delivery coupled with an exceptional level of technical ability. Students wishing to pursue performance at the graduate level or present a senior recital at Cal Poly should make every effort to reach the 450 level. The jury should include a choice of literature that demonstrates a wide range of styles and musical challenges. A student should work carefully with his/her private teacher to prepare appropriate repertoire.
    • Voice: A repertoire of 5 pieces not prepared for previous jury levels; at least 3 foreign languages will be represented, and all pieces must be memorized. A list of this repertoire will be presented to the Jury Committee at the jury. The jury will consist of 3 of these 5 pieces; the student selects the first piece and the Jury Committee selects the remaining 4 pieces.
    • Piano/Guitar: A repertoire of at least 5 significant contrasting pieces not prepared for previous jury levels. These pieces should represent difference periods or styles, and 4 of the 5 pieces must be memorized. A list of this repertoire will be presented to the Jury Committee at the jury. The jury will include 3 of these 5 pieces; the student selects the first piece and the Jury Committee selects the remaining 2 pieces. The Jury Committee may also asks pianists for scales and arpeggios).
    • Wind & String Instruments: A repertoire of 4 contrasting pieces/études not prepared for previous jury levels. These pieces should represent different periods or styles. A list of this repertoire will be presented to the Jury Committee at the jury. The jury will include 2 of these 4 pieces; the student selects the first piece and the Jury Committee selects the remaining piece. The Jury Committee may also ask for scales.
    • Jazz:  Etudes, transcribed solos, or head with improvisation for repertoire similar to contemporary jazz (such as “Tones for Joan’s Bones,” “Dolphin Dance”, and “E.S.P.”), and advanced approaches to the Great American Songbook or Latin jazz styles such as bossa, samba, and salsa. A list of this repertoire will be presented to the Jury Committee at the jury. The jury will include 3 of these 4 pieces; the student selects the first piece and the Jury Committee selects the remaining 2.  Solo or play-along recording accompaniment is allowed.           
    • Percussion: A repertoire of 4 pieces not prepared for previous jury levels, including works for mallet, timpani, and snare drum, multi-percussion, world percussion, or drum set. A list of this repertoire will be presented to the Jury Committee at the jury. The jury will include 3 of these 4 pieces; the student selects the first piece, and the Jury Committee selects the remaining 2 pieces.
    • Composition and Music Technology: A portfolio of 3 pieces, not prepared for previous jury levels, showing a range of compositional techniques and styles. At least one piece should be a major work, which is defined by either 5 or more instruments, incorporation of multimedia elements, or a duration of 6 minutes or more. A list of these works will be presented to the Jury Committee at the jury. The student selects the first piece; the Jury Committee selects the order of the remaining 2 pieces. The pieces may be presented in a live performance (if performed soley by the student) or audio/video recording.

Students who have arrived at the MU 450 level in instruments or voice will be those expecting to present a Senior Recital. Students aspiring to offer a Senior Recital should make every effort to reach the MU 450 level.

 

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