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Performance Exams

D.Mus. candidates can select the following performance projects as part of their thesis work:

MUPG 760 - Doctoral Recital 1 ,Ìý12 credits

A full-length public recital (or recording project with approval of the department)

Status: Required
Length: Minimum 60 minutes
Requirements: Performance, program notes.
Recording: Additional fees and requirements may apply.Ìý If recording, cannot record MUPG 767.

MUPG 767 - Doctoral Recital 2 ,Ìý12 credits

A full-length public recital (or recording project)

Status: Required
Length: Minimum 60 minutes
Requirements: Performance, program notes.
Recording: Additional fees and requirements may apply.Ìý If recording, cannot record MUPG 760.


Performance Exams

Deadlines

Beginning of year: Book the hall for your recital with the Production Office, Room C208.

The following deadlines apply for all exams listed above.

Submit your Graduate Exam Application Form (this is a different form than the one given by the Production Office):

  • October 1st for exams between November and January;
  • December 1st for exams between February and March;
  • February 15th for exams between April and October.

Submit program notes up to 3 weeks before your recital.

Guidelines

Students are encouraged to include in their recital programs works by composers from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures.

The following links can serve as a starting point for repertoire research:

Selecting & Booking a Hall

  • Attend concerts in the halls. Visit our Facilities pages early in your program to find concert hall seating plans, technical requirements, and booking instructions.
  • Consider repertoire, instrumentation, type of audience, and any other additional requirements (i.e. overhead projection). Ìý
  • Consult with your teacher about their availability (typically May for Doctoral recitals) and book your hall at the beginning of the year if possible. To book your recital, please see the Production Office in Room C-208.

Examiners for Performance Exams

Please see the Examiner's List under the Graduate Exam Application Form section.

Working Collaboratively

  • Agreements with accompanists should be confirmed in writing and include dates and times of rehearsals, repertoire, fees, and how the fees will be paid.
  • Cultivate a professional working relationship with your accompanist:
    • Provide repertoire well ahead of rehearsals and concert times. Ìý
    • Create an efficient rehearsal schedule, with defined goals, in advance.
    • Cancel or change rehearsal times only in exceptional circumstances.
    • Be prepared for each rehearsal. ÌýListen to recordings of great performances and discuss with your teacher what makes that particular collaborative relationship so artistic or powerful.

Recording your Concert

Recitals can be recorded using the one-touch recording system. Otherwise there will be a service charge according to the maximum of musicians on stage at any given time. Please contact the Production Office (production.music [at] mcgill.ca) for prices. All recording requests must be made on the appropriate form available from the Production Office (C-208) and returned no later than 2 weeks before the event.

Grading Policy

Video Portfolio (Conducting only)

D. Mus. students in conducting have the option to create a video portfolio for their first recital.

Students must prepare a video portfolio presenting their conducting in performance for the required recital duration. Video footage must show the front of the conductor and have been recorded during the current academic year and be under the supervision of the student’s teacher. In addition, 30 minutes of rehearsal must be included in the portfolio.

The duration of the video portfolio must follow the conducting recital guidelines:

M. Mus. 1: 30-35 minutes (MUPG 600)

D. Mus. 1: 40-45 minutes (MUPG 760)

Evaluation of the Video Portfolio: The portfolio is reviewed electronically by the panel. The evaluation of the video portfolio should focus on the conducting technique, the quality of the gestural communication, and the overall leadership of the student. The level of the ensembles varies from one recital to the other; therefore, the level of the ensemble is not to be evaluated – the jury is asked to only evaluate the work of the conductor and its effect on the ensemble. The overall presentation of the portfolio should also be evaluated, i.e. what would be your perception of the student be if this video was used for an application for a job, internship or masterclass.

Students must submit a Graduate Exam Application Form.

Program notes are required and should be submitted at the same time as the video.

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Keys to Success

"You should always ask yourself, in what way will this program challenge, enrich, and redefine the musical expectations of my audience?
"
-Adrian Foster, D.Mus. (organ)

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