Performance Requirements for Music Majors

Please note: in order to perform on any official Music Department recital a student must be taking lessons with a St. Olaf College Music Department faculty member on the instrument/voice of the recital performance.

Bachelor of Arts - Music Majors (including Emphasis in Theory-Composition and History-Literature)

  • Twice as a soloist in the principal performing area in a Student Recital with at least one performance in the junior or senior year

Bachelor of Arts - Music Majors:  Teaching Credential

  • Twice as a soloist in the principal performing area in a Student Recital with at least one performance in the junior or senior year
  • 2 performances in a small ensemble in area of specialty:

Vocal specialization:

  • 1 chamber music performance must be in an ensemble with one singer per part with a minimum of two and a maximum of eight singers in the ensemble
  • 1 performance may be in a lab choir (20 or fewer singers) or in Early Music Singers

Instrumental specialization:

  • 1 chamber music performance must be in an ensemble with one player per part
  • 1 performance may be in Collegium Musicum, Flute Choir, Clarinet Choir, Trombone Choir, Percussion Ensemble, Horn Club, Tuba/Euphonium Choir or in another ensemble of 20 or fewer players

Bachelor of Music: Music Education Majors

  • Twice as a soloist in the principal performing area in a Student Recital with at least one performance in the junior or senior year
  • A juried half recital in the principal performing area in the senior year.  The jury is comprised of three music faculty members (the student’s Performance Studies teacher and two others)
  • 2 performances in a small ensemble in area of specialty:

Vocal specialization:

  • 1 chamber music performance must be in an ensemble with one singer per part with a minimum of two and a maximum of eight singers in the ensemble
  • 1 performance may be in a lab choir (20 or fewer singers) or in Early Music Singers

Instrumental specialization:

  • 1 chamber music performance must be in an ensemble with one player per part
  • 1 performance may be in Collegium Musicum, Flute Choir, Clarinet Choir, Trombone Choir, Percussion Ensemble, Horn Club, Tuba/Euphonium Choir or in another ensemble of 20 or fewer players

Bachelor of Music: Theory-Composition Majors

  • Twice as a soloist in the principal performing area in a Student Recital with at least one performance in the junior or senior year (an entrance or continuance recital performance may count as one solo performance)
  • A presentation of original works in a recital. Performances of these works can be done on one recital or on several recitals. In the latter case, the music should, when taken together, comprise a substantial musical concert program. Each student should discuss how this requirement would be met with the Theory-Composition faculty no later than the fall semester of the senior year.

Bachelor of Music: Performance and Church Music Majors with Organ Emphasis

  • Twice as a soloist in the principal performing area in a Student Recital
  • Either a juried half recital or, with permission by petition, three performances as a soloist in a Student Recital in the junior year. The jury is comprised of three music faculty members (the student’s Performance Studies teacher and two others)
  • A juried full recital during the senior year.  The jury is comprised of three music faculty members (the student’s Performance Studies teacher and two others)

Bachelor of Music Church Music Majors with Choral Emphasis

  • Twice as a soloist in the principal performing area in a Student Recital
  • A juried half recital in the junior or senior year. The jury is comprised of three music faculty members (the student’s Performance Studies teacher and two others)
  • In the senior year, students propose, structure, and execute a significant capstone project that involves choral conducting and the demonstration of corollary church music-related skills

Recital Attendance Requirements

Recital Attendance Requirements

Non-music majors who are taking lessons are required to attend at least four official recitals or concerts per semester.

Music majors are required to attend a minimum of ten official recitals or concerts per semester, with a minimum of 60 required for graduation.

Attendance credit is given for all official student recitals, faculty and guest artist recitals, and ensemble concerts. Attendance credit is not given for a recital in which you participate. The only exceptions to this policy are Band Day, Choral Day, and Christmas Festival. Students participating in Christmas Festival will receive one pink card for the four day event. Attendance credit will not be given for any musical event off-campus or for partial attendance.

To receive credit for attendance, pick up a "pink card" from the House Manager at the door when you enter the concert hall. Fill out the card, sign it, and return it to the House Manager at the door as you leave. Pink Cards are not accepted at any other time. You must arrive on time and remain for the entire performance to receive attendance credit.  All attendees should refrain from studying and reading during the performance.