2026–2027 Proposal Instructions

The Music Department faculty considers all proposals for senior recitals presented in Skinner Hall.

Deadline: April 1

Please note that for this current application cycle in 2026, the department has extended the deadline to April 12th.

Late proposals will not be accepted.

The Recital Hall, Thekla, or the Loeb Art Center may be approved for senior recitals.

Prerequisites for a Senior Recital in Performance

In these performances the department expects to hear a high level of musicality, excellent intonation, and grasp of appropriate styles. Since the Senior Recital represents senior-level work, students must meet the following requirements:

• 5–7 semesters of lessons completed by the time of the recital.
• Enrollment in lessons during the semester of the recital.
• Performance in at least two Monday Recitals prior to submitting the application. *For 2026, during this transition period, we will allow some flexibility as students work toward meeting this expectation. There are three remaining Monday Recitals this semester: March 30, April 13, and April 27th.
• Completion of two units of theory, selected from: MUSI 101, *203, *204, 205, 206, 207, or 208. *Please note that beginning with the 2026–2027 Vassar College Catalogue, MUSI-105 will be renumbered as MUSI-203, and MUSI-106 will be renumbered as MUSI-204.
• Meeting with the Chair of the Music Department before submitting the application.
• Request two letters of recommendation (one from the lesson instructor and one from the major advisor) submitted to mdapice@vassar.edu.

Prerequisites for a Senior Recital in Composition

• Completion of Composition I and Composition II by the time the application is submitted.
• Enrolled in an independent study with the composition faculty prior to submitting the application.
• Completion of two units of theory, selected from: MUSI 101, *203, *204, 205, 206, 207, or 208. *Please note that beginning with the 2026–2027 Vassar College Catalogue, MUSI-105 will be renumbered as MUSI-203, and MUSI-106 will be renumbered as MUSI-204.
• Submit a portfolio of original scores along with a proposed program outline and brief description. Please note that no more than 25% of the recital may consist of works composed in the academic year of the recital, and all pieces on the program must have been composed or substantially revised during the student’s studies at Vassar. Please submit to ahankers@vassar.edu
• Meeting with the Chair of the Music Department before submitting the application.
• Request two letters of recommendation (one from the lesson instructor and one from the major advisor).

Before you apply…

Please discuss the recital proposal in detail with your applied teacher (repertoire, accompanist, semester of performance, etc.). Please also discuss the significant time commitment to prepare a senior recital with your major advisor.

To Apply for a Senior Recital

Please read the complete requirements and instructions below before submitting your materials.

• Fill out the online form called VC Music Department - Senior Recital Proposal Form 2026-2027, which will include:
  • A section for your written proposal (see below for more details)
  • A section to copy and paste your video link(s) (see below for more details)
• Request two letters of recommendation (one from your private instructor and another from your major advisor) submitted to mdapice@vassar.edu. Please tell your writers to label their email with “LOR_Student Name.”

Written Proposal

The written proposal must include:

• Your name and instrument/voice type.
• A listing of the repertoire/composers to be performed. This repertoire list should be as complete as possible including the duration of each selection. The repertoire MUST be approved by your private teacher before submitting your proposal. If you are requesting any additional musicians or the use of instruments other than piano, please include this in your written proposal.
• A short essay that describes how the senior recital fits in with your academic work at Vassar. (One page maximum.)

Video Links

• Link(s) must be to YouTube or Vimeo. Links can be unlisted, this way only those with the link can access the video.
• Two or three contrasting pieces that are representative of your proposed recital, or are selections from it. You may submit up to10 minutes of content.

Letters of Recommendation Detail

A letter of recommendation from the student’s private music instructor is required. The letter must address the student’s ability to prepare a junior/senior recital and support of the proposed repertoire. The private instructor should submit the letter of recommendation to mdapice@vassar.edu by April 1st. Please label the email with “LOR_Student Name.”

A letter of recommendation from the student’s major advisor is required. The letter must address the student’s academic standing and ability to prepare a junior/senior recital. The major advisor is asked to submit the letter of recommendation to mdapice@vassar.edu by April 1st. Please label the email with “LOR_Student Name.”

Academic Requirements

• In case of any outstanding concerns about a student’s academic or applied music performance, the recital application may be approved or not approved by the music faculty.
• If the student has other burdensome duties (such as an overabundance of extracurricular activities) that might prevent the successful execution of the recital, the recital application may be approved or not approved by the music faculty.
• Any outstanding academic failures or incompletes must be resolved or be in the process of resolution at the time of application. If an academic failure arises after the recital has been approved, the department will confer with the major advisor, private instructor, and Dean of Studies to determine whether or not the recital may go forward.
• Deadline for senior recital proposals: April 1st.**

**Faculty will review completed recital proposals in the order they were submitted. Recital dates will then be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, in the order they were approved.

Apply for a Senior Recital