Conservatory-track Voice Jury and Recital Requirements
First year: Two juries, one at the end of each semester
- For each jury, each student will prepare two pieces, to be performed from memory, representing the languages studied that year in diction class (French and Italian or German and English)
- The panel will select one piece for performance
Second year: Two juries, one at the end of each semester
- For each jury, each student will prepare at least 10 minutes of music, to be performed from memory
- The panel will hear all 10 minutes of music
- Over the course of the year, the student must prepare works representing the languages studied in diction that year (French and Italian or German and English) but may also include works in other languages as appropriate. Repertoire may not be repeated from previous semesters.
Third year: One recital jury at the end of the fall semester; midpoint recital in spring semester
- At the end of the fall semester, each third-year student will present a recital jury. For this jury the student will present approximately 50% of the repertoire to be performed in their midpoint recital, ca. 12-15 minutes of music. This music must be memorized (unless otherwise specified).
- The panel will hear all music prepared for this jury
- The midpoint recital will take place on campus in March, ahead of spring break. It will consist of a minimum of 25 minutes of music.
Fourth year: Off-campus recital
- See below for general Conservatory requirements
Fifth year: Final degree recital
- See below for general Conservatory requirements
Additional jury/recital requirements: Students must perform at least two arias from oratorios or cantatas during the course of their study at Bard. These can be included in juries, recitals, or performances with campus ensembles.
Conservatory-wide Requirements
Juries: At minimum, all students are required to play a short 10-15 minute jury at the end of each of their first two years. These juries may be heard by faculty and administration, and will serve as an opportunity to consult and advise each student on the progress. Repertoire is flexible to the demands of each instrumental major.
Midpoint Recital: All students will be required to do a full length “Midpoint Recital.” Repertoire requirements will be left to the studio instructor’s discretion and judgment. This recital must occur before the Spring Break of the 3rd year.
Off-Campus Recital: All students in their 4th year will be required to do a recital off campus. The intent is to allow more performance experience in general and, even more importantly, to connect with a broader community as students begin to see themselves as musicians with a larger mission in our society. Students must find the venue and organize the program themselves. There are many local schools, assisted care facilities, libraries, social organizations that are available to students as performance venues. Conservatory staff can help identify these possible locations for the recital.
Final Degree Recital: Each student will enroll in the Senior Recital Seminar, where they will get additional support for the logistics of concert production, program notes, and a forum for performing. Additionally, this process will require a final “promotional” before their degree recital: this will be a short 20 minute session at which a committee will hear the student play recital repertoire. This opportunity is meant to solidify the students’ performance goals, and to support their efforts towards the final degree recital.