Promotionals and Graduation Recitals
PROMOTIONALS
Promotionals are departmental evaluations in students’ major area of study; they usually take place after two semesters of studio enrollment. Students perform for their department faculty or present work for faculty review. Those who pass their promotional are eligible to move up by class year; those who fail are placed on Probation. Candidates for the Graduate Diploma give half or full recitals for promotionals (see Department Requirements); those in the doctoral program are not required to give promotionals.
Students may neither drop nor withdraw from promotionals; under exceptional circumstances, though, they may petition the department chair and Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs for Advising to have them deferred, using the Promotional Deferral form. Generally speaking, promotionals may only be deferred for one semester. In extremely rare cases, students seeking a second deferral may petition their studio teacher, department chair, and the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs for Advising, at which time the student’s request will be reviewed and considered. Students granted a second deferral will either give the promotional during the semester of enrollment following the second deferral period or fail the promotional. When a deferred promotional request is approved, students drop the promotional and add it for the next semester. A grade of IPD appears on the grade report, but no grade appears on the transcript.
GRADUATION RECITALS
Most Conservatory programs require graduation recitals (see Undergraduate and Graduate Programs of Study). In addition, some departments require a student to pass a pre-recital before giving the recital. Pre-recitals, if required, must occur in the same semester as the recital; a new pre-recital must be performed if the recital is postponed. Students may perform their graduation recitals at any time up to one week before Commencement. Those wishing to give recitals off campus need prior approval from their department chair; they must submit recital recordings. For DMA recital requirements, see Doctor of Musical Arts or the DMA Handbook.