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 Masters in Music concentration. 

Recital Fees

• Junior Performance Recital: $31.00 - course fee
• Senior Performance Recital: $63.00 - course fee
• Senior Composition Recital: $63.00 - course fee
• Non-Major/Minor and Graduate Recital: $63.00 paid online and must be attached to the Student Recital Request E-sign form

For junior performance, senior performance, and senior composition recitals, a course fee is billed to your Student Account after registration for the course.

For non-major/minor and graduate recitals, you must pay the $63.00 recital fee before scheduling and attach a receipt of payment to the Student Recital Request 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)
4. Request a Recital: Submit the Student Recital Request E-sign form. Composition recitals may submit before checking with all collaborators.
5. Confirmation Email: You will receive a confirmation email once a recital date is reserved for you.

Dates and Requests

23-24 Held Recital Dates

"Reservations Open:" the date a 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

• Recital Dates & Times: Concert Hall recitals are scheduled on weekdays at 7:30 pm and weekends at 12 pm, 4 pm, and 7:30 pm. PAC-016 recitals are scheduled on weekdays at 7:30 pm and weekends at 2 pm and 4 pm.
• 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.
• Priority Scheduling: Senior and required graduate recitals take priority. Be aware that junior or non-degree recitals may need to be rescheduled as a result.
• Finals Week: Recitals scheduled during finals week require permission 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 program and translation (for non-English vocal works) and submit the Recital Programs & Translations Form no later than 16 days before the event. Submissions for printing are only accepted as shared links to WWU Microsoft Word OneDrive files, access OneDrive through Microsoft 365 on MyWestern.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Download and save the Recital Program Requirements and Recital Translation Requirement.
2. Read the instructions carefully and create your program and translation drafts.
3. Submit your drafts to your area coordinator and applied lessons instructor for approval, keeping in mind the 16-day deadline.
4. Submit your program and translations documents for printing as shared links ONLY through the Recital Programs & Translations Form. Make sure links are shared as "Anyone with a link can edit."
5. Once processed, you'll receive a final PDF(s) from Music@wwu.edu (Music Office) that requires you to approve the proofs for printing by replying to the email. Please make sure to meet the deadline and only proofread for content and formatting, as no changes or additions to the program content will be accepted at this stage.

Music Department Publicity

The Music Department will promote all student recitals on the CFPA website and department Facebook page, and will provide printed recital programs and translations. However, the Music Department will not create Facebook event pages or print event posters.

Student Responsibility

Here's what students need to do:

1. After the Music Department confirms the event, the CFPA Marketing team will create the recital event on the Music Events page.
2. Allow a minimum of five business days for the CFPA Marketing team to create the event.
3. Once the event is created, select "Is this your event? Submit updates" at the bottom of the page to submit your event description, bio, and headshot/theme photo.
4. If the event doesn't appear on the Music Events page after two weeks, email cfpa.publicity@wwu.edu with the event details, headshot/theme photo, and description.

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, but students can print them at the Print & Copy Services Center
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. The department cannot provide programs or recording support for these events.
• Degree Recitals: Students can have an off-campus degree recital with the permission of the department chair. These students must still submit the Music Student Recital E-sign form once they receive approval from the Department Chair and schedule their off-campus event. Enter the off-campus 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 permission from the chair.  Students must provide their own programs and recording support. We cannot guarantee a refund of the required course fee for off-campus degree 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.