Sophomore Review

​The purpose of the sophomore review is to assess progress in the performance area at a critical point in the student’s career. Successful completion of the sophomore review is necessary before a Bachelor of Music student can continue private study at the junior (300) level. Bachelor of Arts students who wish to continue with non-required private study will be assessed at their jury for MUSC 254. Transfer students with a minimum of four semesters of applied study on their transcripts will be allowed to enroll in an applied course with a number of MUSC 351 or higher if they pass an audition before an entrance audition committee.

It is assumed that the student is making adequate progress in their academic studies. Inadequate progress will delay the scheduling of required courses, and ultimately may delay graduation. The student must have a B (3.0) average in the first three semesters of private study in order to be eligible for the sophomore review.

The Sophomore Review will be scheduled during the fourth semester of private study (MUSC 252) and presided over by the Associate Chair. The Chair of the Music Department will notify all students of the results of the review in writing in a timely fashion. The faculty shall be responsible for attending the hearing and shall be responsible for the results of the overall review.

Students may petition for a make-up hearing in the event of extenuating circumstances. Such a hearing will be scheduled within the second week of the following semester.

The student will play a 15-minute hearing for a committee of faculty members comprising the applied teacher, the other faculty members from that area and one faculty member from each of the other areas (voice, keyboard/string, woodwind, brass/percussion teacher, theory/history and music education).

Each student will prepare a written program of the pieces to be performed, including composers’ dates and brief program notes. The student should speak with their applied teacher with any specific questions about the program notes.

​All music majors, regardless of degree program, will be required to have completed or be finishing the following courses with a "C" or better in each course by the time they go through a Sophomore Review in order to earn a passing status:

• MUSC 211–Introduction to Music History
• MUSC 311–Music History: 400 through 1600
• MUSC 185–Ear Training and Sight-singing IMUSC 186–Ear Training and Sight-singing II
• MUSC 195–Harmony I
• MUSC 196–Harmony II
• MUSC 285–Advanced Ear Training and Sight-singing I
• MUSC 286–Advanced Ear Training and Sight-singing II
• MUSC 295–Advanced Harmony I
• MUSC 296–Advanced Harmony II
• All Class Piano Courses needed for the major in which the student is enrolled.

​The initial vote of the faculty will be either Pass or Fail:

• Pass: the student's performance in the hearing meets or exceeds the required standard. The student is prepared to advance to the next level of study, and there is clear evidence that s/he will be prepared for the recital requirements spelled out in his/her curriculum. Must pass with majority vote.
  
• Fail: the student's performance in the hearing does not meet the required standard. The student is not currently prepared to advance to the next level of study, and there is not clear evidence that s/he will be prepared for the recital requirements spelled out in his/her curriculum. If the student does not receive a majority of passing votes, a second round of voting will be used to determine Failing of Probationary status:
• Fail: in the view of the faculty, the deficiencies cannot be remedied by further study. A student who fails the sophomore review will not be able to continue with private study, and thus will not be able complete the degree. It is up to the student to meet with his/her advisor to determine if they wish to continue their studies in a Bachelor of Arts program, or to transfer to a degree outside of music. Students who fail the sophomore review may not retake the hearing in subsequent semesters.
• Probation: in the view of the faculty, the deficiencies may be remedied with an additional semester of work. Students who are put on probation will retake MUSC252 in the following semester, and will be heard again at the end of that semester. If the student fails the hearing a second time, they will not be able to continue with private study, and thus will not be able complete the degree. It is up to the student to meet with his/her advisor to determine if they wish to continue their studies in a Bachelor of Arts program, or to transfer to a degree outside of music. Students who pass the hearing will be allowed to continue with private study at the 300 level in their next semester (MUSC351 or MUSC357). If the progress is deemed sufficient by the private instructor, the student may petition to advance to MUSC352 or MUSC358. This decision must be ratified by the hearing committee.

​In the event that a student does not pass the Sophomore Review for any reason, he/she has the right to appeal to the Music Department Faculty by letter to the Chair of the Music Department, who shall relay it to the faculty for action.