All students registered for applied music credit are required to perform before a faculty jury. Undergraduate students perform juries annually and graduate students at least once during a degree program. Successful completion of a jury is related to the changing of a student’s class year; the sophomore jury is particularly crucial. Outstanding juries may lead to nominations for a Performer’s Certificate; conversely, students may be advised out of the degree following a failed jury. On occasion, juries are scheduled by department during the fall semester, and in exceptional circumstances during the summer session for students who need to retake a jury due to illness or failure. However, the majority of students will be scheduled to perform their jury during the reading period at the end of the spring semester. This timeframe – after classes end, but before final exams – is free of all other obligations, as no classes, rehearsals, lessons, or other scheduled meetings should occur in the reading period and students will be able to focus on their jury performance.
The only exception to holding spring juries during the reading period is for keyboard students, as our piano, accompanying, and organ students hold their juries in April so they are free to accompany our instrumental and vocal students in the reading period. These students will have their juries while classes are otherwise in session, and faculty will strive to schedule juries at a time that does not conflict with any of their academic classes. However, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to manage their schedule and address any conflicts. Juries for keyboard students do not qualify for an automatic excused absence, and students are instructed to communicate with their teacher, department, and classroom teacher about any expected conflicts.
More detailed information regarding the jury process may be found in Section 02.06.08.01 of the Academic Policy Handbook.