Undergraduate Non-Curricular Requirements
Examinations
In additional to course examinations, the School of Music requires students to take exams upon application to the program (qualifying and placement exams), during their course of study (annual listening exams and performance evaluations), and at the end of the course of study (senior concentration exam).
The four Listening Examinations are based on an extensive selection of important musical works. The repertoire lists are available here. Students are expected to take one of these examinations during each year of study. Each hour-long examination involves identification of the composer, work, and movement for each excerpt played; the minimum passing grade is 70. All four examinations are given each semester. Students are individually responsible for preparing for these examinations.
Performance Evaluations (also called Progress Evaluations or juries) are required of ALL undergraduate music majors each spring. For Bachelor of Music performance majors, the Senior Recital takes the place of the senior performance evaluation. For other students, Senior Recitals may replace Evaluations with permission from the appropriate faculty.
Students are asked to prepare two (for Bachelor of Arts music majors) or three (for Bachelor of Music students) pieces of contrasting styles to perform before a faculty jury. The evaluations take place in May; watch the bulletin board near the Music Office for the date, instrument and time of your evaluation. It is assumed that you will take a Performance Evaluation on the instrument (or voice) for which you receive individual lessons. Any instrument changes need to be approved.
Students are expected to present pieces at a minimum NYSSMA Level 5 for freshmen and NYSSMA Level 6 for all other students. Examples of recommended pieces can be found in the NYSSMA manual on reserve in the Music Library. These are only examples. Speak to your teacher regarding appropriate pieces for your evaluation.
Online searches are available to locate possible NYSSMA pieces for most instruments. To locate NYSSMA pieces held in the Queens College Music Library, go to OneSearch and type in "[your instrument] NYSSMA" in the search box (e.g., "violin NYSSMA"). In the results list, click on individual titles to see the NYSSMA level. To search for specific levels, type in "[your instrument] NYSSMA level 5" (e.g., "flute NYSSMA level 5").
Please note that not all instruments have been labeled in OneSearch. We appreciate your patience as we work to add NYSSMA tags for all instruments. Remember that these pieces are just suggestions.
For more information on using OneSearch, or any Music Library resources, please visit the Music Library homepage.
In order to remain in good standing in the undergraduate degree program, students must make progress judged to be satisfactory by a faculty jury. Poor performance on the Progress Evaluation may result in academic probation or suspension from the music major.
The Senior Concentration Examination is required of all music majors preparing for graduation. It includes both written and oral components and tests knowledge of history, theory, and analysis. There is also a required performance component. An informational meeting occurs in approximately the fifth week of each semester; students who wish to take the Senior Concentration Examination should watch their e-mail closely for announcement of this meeting, which provides guidance on applying and preparing for the exam. Students must pass at least three of the four Listening Examinations before applying for the Senior Concentration.
Attendance Policy
(For chamber music, individual lessons, and large ensembles)
The School of Music expects regular and punctual attendance at lessons and rehearsals. Excused absences caused by illness or unavoidable personal circumstances must be reported directly to the instructor. Students who do not do so may face dismissal from the ensemble or from the School of Music.
There are fifteen weeks in each semester: fourteen weeks of classes and rehearsals plus a week of final examinations. Students receive thirteen weeks of individual lessons. Excused absences, if reported sufficiently in advance, will be made up at the discretion of the instructor; lessons missed by the instructor will be rescheduled. Substantial deviations from this policy should be brought to the attention of the Director.