For Performance Majors Only

Performance Majors: Recital Preparation

Performance majors are required to take levels 1-6 of recital preparation (RPXX) simultaneously with levels 3-8 of private instruction (PIXX). Please see additional details below. These courses consist of additional private study designed to develop repertoire and other skills for various classes and activities required of performance majors. In order to register for the first recital preparation, the second level of private instruction must be passed or be in progress. RP courses are numbered similarly to PI courses—the third and fourth letters of the course number indicate the principal instrument. As an example, a performance major whose principal instrument is piano would take the following sequence of PI and RP courses beginning in the third semester: PIPN-211/RPPN-211; PIPN-212/ RPPN-212; PIPN-311/RPPN-311; PIPN-312/RPPN-312; PIPN-411/ RPPN-411; PIPN-412/RPPN-412. RPXX-311 is taken in conjunction with ILRE-375 Recital Workshop for Performance Majors.

Performance Majors: Private Instruction (PIXX) and Recital Preparation (RPXX) Requirements 

Beginning in their third semester, performance majors are required to take one private instruction (PIXX) and one recital preparation (RPXX) lesson each semester. Private instruction courses are technique and proficiency lessons required for a performance major to matriculate through the required eight levels of final exams. Recital preparation courses are performance major-specific private lessons that focus on building performances leading to the senior recital.

You may choose from the following options for recital preparation courses: 

  • principal instrument with faculty member in the department;
  • principal instrument with faculty member outside the department; or
  • secondary instrument.

You may take your private instruction and recital preparation courses in the following arrangements:

  • two 30-minute lessons on the principal instrument with one faculty member combining the PIXX and RPXX lessons into one hour;
  • two 30-minute lessons (PIXX and RPXX) on the principal instrument with two different faculty members from the principal instrumental department;
  • one 30-minute PIXX lesson on the principal instrument with a faculty member from the principal instrumental department, and one 30-minute RPXX lesson with a faculty member from another instrumental department; or
  • one 30-minute PIXX lesson on the principal instrument and one 30-minute RPXX lesson on a secondary instrument.

Students should check with their instrumental department chairs for their recital preparation lesson final exam requirements.

Performance Majors: Secondary Instruments

Undergraduates who are proficient in more than one instrument may add a non-principal instrument to their student record. Students may add only one non-principal instrument.

All students (performance majors and non-performance majors) have the option to enroll in ensembles on a non-principal instrument by contacting the Ensemble Department for a ratings audition.

Performance majors may enroll in recital preparation (RPXX) courses on a non-principal instrument if approval is given by both instrumental department chairs (principal instrumental chair and non-principal instrumental chair). Instrumental department chairs will access the proficiency level for this request.

Recital preparation courses on the non-principal instrument support the recital preparation program. Preferential registration for private instruction (PIXX) and recital preparation (RPXX) are provided for performance majors: principal instruments, first choice; and non-principal instruments, second choice.