Performance Requirements

Performance is a fundamental component of the Ball State School of Music's bachelor's degree programs. Through auditions, lessons, juries, recitals, and ensembles, music students must demonstrate their proficiency and progress in performing on an instrument or as a vocalist.

Auditions for Admission
All entering freshmen and undergraduate transfer students who desire to major in music are required to audition on a primary instrument with faculty from that area. Learn more about undergraduate music auditions.

Lessons and Juries
Students studying strings, piano, organ/harpsichord, percussion, guitar, brass, woodwinds, or voice are assigned to an instructor for weekly applied lessons. Each student must perform in a hearing or jury at the end of every semester until his or her required performance level is achieved.

Student Recitals
Undergraduate students majoring in music composition, music education (choral, instrumental, or general), or music technology must appear six times on recital programs while they are study­ing applied music. Students pursuing the bachelor of music degree must appear six times on weekly Recital Hour programs and present a full recital. Outstanding instrumentalists and vocalists are encouraged to present junior and senior recitals, but only performance majors are required to give a senior recital. Freshmen and sophomores also may present recitals.

Ensemble Participation
All undergraduate music majors must enroll in one designated ensemble per semester throughout their degree program. Students may also participate in additional ensembles for credit or no credit. Learn more about the School of Music's ensembles.

Performance Attendance
Music majors and minors are required to attend weekly Recital Hour programs plus a designated number (majors 60, minors 20) of faculty and student recitals, ensemble performances, Muncie Symphony Orchestra concerts, and Emens Audito­riu­m programs.

For complete information on program requirements, please consult the Music Undergraduate Handbook (PDF) and the Ball State University Undergraduate Catalog, or contact the Coordinator of Undergraduate Programs in Music.