Junior Assessments

  • For BM junior assessment juries:
    Recital jury time is approximately 15 minutes. You may choose which piece to perform first, then the jury committee will select from your recital repertoire. A minimum average score of 30/50 must be achieved to pass. See jury rubrics for more information.
  • For BA/BMA junior assessment juries:
    Total jury time is approximately 15 minutes, roughly equally split between performing your jury selection and presenting your project proposal. A minimum average score of 30/50 must be achieved to pass. See jury rubrics for more information.

BRASS

  • TRUMPET
    • BM
      • A 30-minute (minimum) recital consisting of at least 3 contrasting pieces on at least 2 different instruments.
        • Performance quality must be at a pre-professional level. One or two years away from achieving a professional standard of tone, phrasing, endurance, range, articulation, technique, facility, etc.
    • BA/BMA
      • Performance of one work (concerto, etude, selection of orchestral excerpts).
        • Performance quality must be at a level befitting a good public performance.
  • HORN
    • BM
      • A 30-minute (minimum) recital consisting of at least 3 contrasting pieces from a range of musical eras.
      • Instrumental assessments and recitals in the BM may not repeat repertoire from previous assessments and recitals.
        • Performance quality must be at a pre-professional level: one or two years away from achieving a graduate school level of tone, phrasing, endurance, range, articulation, technique, facility, etc. Understanding of musical expression must be demonstrated.
    • BA/BMA
      • Performance of one work (concerto, etude, selection of orchestral excerpts).
        • Performance quality must be at a level befitting a good public performance. Understanding of musical expression must be demonstrated.
  • TROMBONE
    • BM
      • A 30-minute (minimum) recital consisting of at least 3 contrasting pieces.
      • Instrumental assessments and recitals in the BM may not repeat repertoire from previous assessments and recitals.
        • Performance quality must be at a pre-professional level. One or two years away from achieving a professional standard of tone, phrasing, endurance, range, articulation, technique, facility, etc.
    • BA/BMA
      • Performance of one work (concerto, etude, selection of orchestral excerpts).
        • Performance quality must be at a level befitting a good public performance.
      • Sight-Reading in bass, tenor, and Bb treble clefs (tenor and bass trombonists)
  • EUPHONIUM
    • BM
      • A 30-minute (minimum) recital consisting of at least 3 contrasting pieces.
      • Instrumental assessments and recitals in the BM may not repeat repertoire from previous assessments and recitals.
        • Performance quality must be at a pre-professional level. One or two years away from achieving a professional standard of tone, phrasing, endurance, range, articulation, technique, facility, etc.
      • Students will also continue work on Bb treble clef, and should be fluently reading moderately challenging melodic material.
      • Upper register should consist of a usable high concert C#, and low register should be down to a pedal concert F.
    • BA/BMA
      • Performance of one work (concerto, etude, sonata, through composed original literature).
        • Performance quality must be at a level befitting a good public performance.
      • Continued work on reading Bb treble clef. Student should be playing easy to moderate melodic material in treble clef.
      • Usable range should consist of a high Bb concert and pedal Bb concert.
  • TUBA
    • BM
      • A 30-minute (minimum) recital consisting of at least 3 contrasting pieces.
      • Instrumental assessments and recitals in the BM may not repeat repertoire from previous assessments and recitals.
        • Performance quality must be at a pre-professional level. One or two years away from achieving a professional standard of tone, phrasing, endurance, range, articulation, technique, facility, etc.
    • BA/BMA
      • Performance of one work (concerto, etude, selection of orchestral excerpts).
        • Performance quality must be at a level befitting a good public performance.

COMPOSITION

  • BM
    • A 15 minute presentation of:
      • A significant composition or compositions that demonstrate the student’s current abilities and breadth of exploration since the Sophomore Jury. This will be presented in verbal analysis using whatever handouts are useful—score, chart, lyrics or other documents as are appropriate and relevant—and then performed live or via recording.
      • The portfolio (scores, charts, recordings) of all previous compositions created to date while at PLU.
      • A Composition List, including dates and divided by category, showing the student’s comprehensive output to date.
    • Students perform a separate, semester jury in their performance medium.

ORGAN

  • BM
    • 30 minutes of music, including at least one pre-Bach, one Bach, and one post-Bach work, excluding works already performed at the sophomore jury.
      • The works should be at a difficulty level of the major Bach works, the larger Praeludia of Buxtehude, a Mendelssohn Sonata or prelude and fugue, Brahms Chorale preludes, etc.
  • BA/BMA
    • At least 15 minutes of music, with at least 2 works in contrasting style and character.
      • The works should be at a difficulty level of the major Bach works, the larger Praeludia of Buxtehude, a Mendelssohn Sonata or prelude and fugue, Brahms Chorale preludes, etc.

PIANO

  • BM
    • A 30-minute (minimum) recital representing at least three periods, performed by memory.
    • Instrumental assessments and recitals in the BM may not repeat repertoire from previous assessments and recitals.
    • Students should display a strong measure of technical proficiency and musical growth, and a thorough understanding of musical style.
      • Recital must include a Prelude and Fugue by Bach
      • Collaborative repertoire may be included in addition to the required 30-minute performance time.
  • BA/BMA
    • At least two pieces from two periods (no less than 15 minutes of playing time). At least one of the pieces is to be performed by memory. ​Works should be those learned and prepared since the sophomore exam.

STRINGS

  • BM
    • A 30-minute (minimum) recital of at least two complete major works in contrasting style prepared to the level of a conservatory student
    • Instrumental assessments and recitals in the BM may not repeat repertoire from previous assessments and recitals.
      • Collaborative repertoire may be included, but should represent less than half the presented repertoire
  • BA/BMA
    • At least two pieces from contrasting periods in tandem with Capstone Project Proposal

VOICE

  • BM
    • A Half recital (30 minutes of Music) in a variety of styles and languages; students should display an understanding of foreign language translation, a growing understanding of stage deportment, and a thorough understanding of musical style.
  • BA
    • Performance of one piece with a detailed description of the intended capstone with bibliography.
  • BMA
    • Performance of two pieces in two languages in a variety of periods/styles along with a detailed description of the intended capstone with bibliography.

WOODWINDS

  • BM
    • A half-recital (30 minutes) of music in contrasting styles selected from several eras.
    • Instrumental assessments and recitals in the BM may not repeat repertoire from previous assessments and recitals.
    • Students should display a strong measure of technical proficiency on their instrument, a growing understanding of stage. deportment, and a thorough understanding of musical style.
  • BA/BMA
    • Demonstration of musical and technical proficiency via two contrasting pieces or movements.
    • Additional requirements such as scales, etudes, or other exercises may be required by the studio teacher.
    • Cognate field/liberal arts interest area(s): detailed description of the intended capstone project and presentation of a bibliography.