Music Student Recitals

Types of Recitals

• Performance Recitals: Bachelor of Music in Performance majors must complete a junior recital (MUS 399) and senior recital (MUS 499).
• Composition Recital: Bachelor of Music in Composition majors must complete a senior composition recital (MUS 498) as the culmination of their major. A composition student may also choose to complete a thesis instead, MUS 490. Admission to the 400-level of composition lessons is the prerequisite to scheduling a senior composition recital
• Non-Degree Recitals: Students in the following programs may perform a non-degree or “studio” recital with the permission of their applied instructor and area coordinator: Non-Music Majors/Minors, Music Minors, BA, BMus in History & Literature, BMus Education, and Graduate recitals that are not required for their degree. 
• Graduate Recital: Required for a Master in Music concentration. 

Recital Fees 2025-26

• Junior Performance Recital: $35.09 - Course Fee (Billed to your Student Account after you register for the course)
• Senior Performance Recital: $71.32 - Course Fee (Billed to your Student Account after you register for the course)
• Senior Composition Recital: $71.32 - Course Fee (Billed to your Student Account after you register for the course)
• Non-Major/Minor and Graduate Recital: $71.32 - Paid Online (Fee must be paid prior to scheduling recital and payment receipt must be attached to the Student Recital Request E-sign form)

Recital Course Syllabus

• Junior Performance Syllabus PDF
• Senior Performance Syllabus PDF
• Senior Composition Syllabus PDF

Procedures

1. Policies: Read recital reservation policies below.
2. Check Area Timeline: Students should check with their area coordinator for the earliest date they will accept request forms prior to the applicable quarterly reservations open dates below.
3. Review Held Dates: Students should review the held recital dates and discuss them with their teacher, area coordinator, and collaborators (see dates below). Composition recital request forms may be submitted before checking with all collaborators.
4. Request a Recital: Submit the Student Recital Request E-sign form.
5. Confirmation Email: You will receive a confirmation email from Music Advising once a recital date is reserved for you.

Dates and Requests

25-26 Held Recital Dates

"Reservations Open" is the date the Student Recital Request E-sign form can be routed to Music Advising by an Area Coordinator. Students should check with their area coordinators to see how early they will accept forms prior to these dates.

Policies

• Reserved Dates & Times: The department reserves dates and times in both the Concert Hall and PA-016 for recitals each quarter. Approval from the Department Chair is required for scheduling recitals outside of the reserved dates and times.
• Finals Week: Requires approval from the Department Chair. Livestreaming, house management, and tech support can’t be guaranteed during finals week.
• What Happens if I Miss the Recital Scheduling Deadline? Dates reserved for scheduling recitals will be released after the quarterly scheduling deadlines. If you miss the deadline, work with the Department Chair to schedule your recital date and time.
• Need to Cancel your Recital? Email MusicAdvising@wwu.edu with the subject line “Cancel Student Recital” and include your name and date/time of your scheduled recital.
• Need to Reschedule your Recital? First, cancel your recital (directions above), and then submit a new Student Recital Request Form.

Creating Programs and Translations

Students must create their own programs and translations and submit their approved MS Word documents to the Music Office for printing:

Step 1) Download the program and translation(required for recitals with non-English vocal works) templates and follow the directions to create your MS Word drafts for Instrument/voice instructor and Area Coordinator approval.

Step 2) Once you have approval of your instrument/voice instructor and Area Coordinator, download the Recital Program Template-Student Use MS Word document and save it to your OneDrive app through Office 365/MyWestern as "Last Name, First Name, Program Final". DO NOT EDIT the file before downloading it.

Step 3) Copy your program information from the program draft document in Step 1 to the Recital Program Template-Student Use MS Word template you saved in Step 3. Proofread your documents carefully for typos and other errors.

Step 4) Submit your Final Program and Translations Documents for Printing - Due 16 Days Prior to Recital via the Recital Programs & Translations Form. Your MS Word documents will be converted to PDFs and sent off for printing. (Note that we will not proofread your documents, so any typos or errors in the MS Word documents will not be corrected)

Music Department Publicity

The Music Department will promote all student recitals on the CFPA Events webpage and Music's Facebook account and will include a livestream link in both places. The department will also provide printed recital programs and translations. The Music Department will not create Facebook event pages or print event posters for your recital.

Student Responsibility

Here's what students need to do:

1. Once you have received confirmation of your assigned recital date and time from Music Advising, email your recital details to cfpa.publicity@wwu.edu.
2. Allow a minimum of 10 business days for your recital to be listed on the CFPA Events webpage.
3. Once the event is created on the CFPA Events webpage, click on your event and select the "Is this your event? Submit updates" link near the bottom of the screen to submit your event description, bio, and headshot/theme photo.
4. Your event should appear on the Music Events webpage within three weeks. If it doesn't, email cfpa.publicity@wwu.edu.

Event Description Templates

• Solo Recitals: {Student name}, in collaboration with {accompanist name}, will perform a {junior or senior} recital featuring works by {list composers}.  
• Composition Recital: Student name will present a Senior Composition Recital featuring original works composed during their time of study in the Department of Music under the instruction of {faculty name}.
• Junior Piano Recitals: Student name will perform a junior accompanying recital featuring works by {list composers}. Featured collaborators include {list names}.  

Regarding posters:

1. Posters are not required and are not provided by the Music Department.  WWU Print and Copy Center may be able to provide you with printed posters.
2. The Student Technology Center may provide help guides for poster creation.
3. Every poster must include the WWU logo and the disability accommodations statement: "AA/EO. For disability accommodations, please call: 360-650-3130." Download the WWU logo and review appropriate logo usage guidelines.

Off-Campus Recitals 

• Non-Degree Recitals
  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Non-degree recitals can be held off-campus at any time. They do not require approval.
  • Students must provide their own programs and recording support. The department cannot provide programs or recording support for off-campus recitals.
• Degree Recitals
  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Off-campus degree recital requests require prior-approval from the Department Chair (email Chair).
  • Once Chair approval is received, schedule your recital with the off-campus venue.
  • Submit the Student Recital Request E-sign form. Enter recital date, time, and location under "Requested Performance Date" and indicate under "Additional Comments" that your recital is off campus and the date you received approval from the Department Chair.
  • Students must provide their own programs and recording support. The department cannot provide programs or recording support for off-campus recitals.

Event Bio Examples:

Sarah Potocki is a junior at Western Washington University earning her Bachelor of Arts in Music and minor in Psychology. She has been taking piano lessons since age four. Sarah grew up in Snohomish, Washington, where her parents and three older sisters encouraged her to play piano. Through an adjudication held at her former piano teacher Maria Sier’s studio, Sarah came in contact with Professor Gilliam. He shared insight about Western’s Music Department and inspired her to attend. Throughout Sarah’s time at Western, she has gratefully accepted scholarships from the Ada and Don Walter Endowment Fund, Dee Bergholz Music Scholarship, Ford Hill Piano Scholarship, William Sanford Piano Scholarship, and the Arthur C. Hicks Piano Scholarship. During her freshman year at Western, she was given the opportunity to play in a master class with her duo partner Nick Swanson for Anderson and Roe. She has also played in master classes for French pianist David Kadouch and most recently pianist Marija Ilic. Sarah is a performer as well as a teacher. She currently teaches eight students between ages four and ten. She has taken leadership in organizing semi-annual recitals for her students at the retirement home, St. Francis of Bellingham.  

Fabian Nieto is in his third year studying clarinet performance and music education. He began his studies at Western Washington University in 2012. In 2013 he attended “El Conservatorio de las Rosas” in Michoacán, Mexico. But due to social and political instability, he returned to Western to continue with his studies. Fabian is a very active player in the community. He has been involved in multiple productions with Pacific Northwest Opera and serves as the clarinet coach for the Fidalgo Youth Symphony. He is also a private clarinet instructor in the Whatcom-Skagit regions. Once Fabian completes his studies at WWU, he is eager to pursue his education further in graduate school and begin his career as an educator.  

Yuliya Varavina is a junior majoring in Vocal Performance; she studies with Professor Kathryn Weld. Yuliya has received several honors, including the Oscar Olson Arts Scholarship, Don C. Walter Memorial Scholarship, and the R. Keagle Music Scholarship. Yuliya has performed for Erin Wall and Benjamin Smith in master classes at WWU has been a section leader in WWU Advanced Women Chorale 2013-2014 and had been a part of the Western Voices in the Spring of 2015. She is active as a soloist, choir accompanist, and string quintet director at her church. She had been a part of two opera scene productions, a full production of Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, and placed in Aria Competition in 2014 and 2015.