Enroll each year in private lessons and ensemble coursework.
Audition before a jury at the end of
the spring quarter in freshman or sophomore year to demonstrate
the level of competence. Panels will be composed of
representatives of the applied faculty, one or more undergraduate
advisers, and other members of the faculty as appropriate.
Plan appropriate public recitals during
the junior year and senior year.
If you are a performer interested in majoring in music, contact
the appropriate faculty member and include the following:
Your musical background indicating years of experience,
private lessons, ensemble experience including choral,
orchestral, band, chamber, and solo.
An audio and/or video recording of your playing or singing in
any of the following formats: CD, DVD, MP3, or YouTube link.
These materials should be sent directly to the music department,
either by regular mail or by email, and independently of the
general application done via UC Davis Admissions.
You may still declare as a music major without auditioning.
Freshman/sophomore year: Audition before a jury to enter the
performance track.
Junior year: 30-minute junior recital.
Senior year: 60-minute senior recital.
Transfer and Two-Year Plans
Transfer students should contact an undergraduate adviser to
arrange an audition into the performance track, when they start
coursework at UC Davis. This way, the Junior recital can be
scheduled later during their first year.
Students are admitted to the performance track by juried
audition, which takes place early each spring. After admission,
students proceed toward junior and senior recital requirements as
noted. The jury, made up of academic and studio faculty members,
expects to hear students to perform two contrasting
movements—often a sonata or concerto movement—and an étude or
excerpt, and, optionally, major or minor scales.
Junior and Senior Recitals
The junior recital or appearance (30 minutes or less, Fall
Quarter) may take the form of a solo recital or an ambitious
piece that is performed in a studio recital or other noon or
evening concert. The senior recital (60 minutes, Spring Quarter)
should be in the form of a standard solo recital or its
equivalent. Seniors should enroll for Music 195 (Senior Project)
in the quarter during which they give their recital.
Repertoire
Choice of program is the joint responsibility of the student and
the primary instructor, and it is always at the final discretion
of the primary instructor. Programs should be scheduled at least
six months in advance and require approval by the instructor,
undergraduate adviser, and Department of Music production staff.
Accompaniment
Accompanists are to be of professional caliber (particularly in
the case of the senior recital), engaged and compensated by the
student, and approved well in advance by the primary teacher. A
list of professional accompanists is available from the
Department of Music production staff, and
students should discuss fee arrangements for those accompanists
with the production staff.
Scheduling and Production
After the program has been chosen and approved by the student’s
instructor, the student must make an appointment with the
production staff to
choose a date and venue, as well as establish deadlines for flier
and program content. Content for these materials is the
responsibility of the student. Guidelines and a style sheet are
provided, as are guidelines for any on-campus post-recital event.
Evaluation
Recitals are certified by signature of the primary instructor and
the faculty adviser on the recital certification document, which
is kept on file in the main office. Students must attach a copy
of their program and any promotional materials (fliers, posters)
to this document, which is then used to certify the academic
degree from UC Davis.
