Senior Recital Proposals
2024–2025 Proposal Instructions
The Music Department faculty considers all proposals for senior recitals presented in Skinner Hall.
Deadline: Friday, April 5, 2024 by 5:00 p.m.
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
- Since the Senior Recital is senior-level work, it is expected that students will have completed 5–7 semesters of private lessons by the time of their recital. At least three semesters of lessons must have been taken for credit.
- Non-Majors: To apply for a senior recital, students must already have completed their co-requisite courses in music. (If a student is in the process of completing a co-requisite course in the spring semester of their junior year, please include this information in the proposal.) Applicants must be in good academic standing. (See “Academic Requirements” below.)
Before you apply…
Please discuss the recital proposal in detail with your private 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.
There are three parts to the proposal:
- Fill out the online form.
- Upload your written proposal to the online form. (See below for more details.)
- Upload a 10-minute video that includes your performance of two or three contrasting pieces that are representative of your proposed recital.
- Request two letters of recommendation (one from your private instructor and another from your major advisor) submitted to concerts@vassar.edu
Letters of Recommendation
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 concerts@vassar.edu by April 5, 2024.
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 concerts@vassar.edu by April 5, 2024.
Academic Requirements
- All students presenting a senior recital may be required to perform a jury for the faculty in the first two weeks of the semester of the scheduled recital. Two-thirds of the program must be concert-ready. (Please check with your private teacher about memorization requirements. Most recitals should be memorized.)
- In case of any outstanding concerns about a student’s academic or applied music performance, the recital application may be provisionally approved, or not approved outright 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 provisionally approved or not approved outright by the music faculty.
- If provisional approval is granted, the student’s application will be reconsidered by the faculty in the fall semester, and the student will be required to give a jury of a sample of selections from the recital to a group of the faculty. The chair of the department will guide students in this situation.
- Any outstanding academic failures or incompletes must have been resolved or be in the process of being resolved at the time of application for a music recital. 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: Friday, April 5, 2024 by 5:00 p.m.**
**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, based on the order in which they were approved.
Written Proposal (in a Word or PDF file)
The written proposal will be uploaded to the Google form for senior recital proposals.
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. 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.)