REGISTRATION

For any semester in which you complete a recital, you must register for your Major Professor’s section of the course MUSIC PERF 999: DMA Recital (1 credit). If you are giving multiple recitals in one semester, register for different sections of the course 999 under your Major Professor’s name (contact James Doing to request an additional section).

DPRC

Each recital must be evaluated by at least three members of your “Doctoral Performance & Research Committee.” See the “DPRC Registration Form” for details of the composition and duties of your committee: https://forms.gle/xuHEusZUP8T4pKoM8

Because the DPRC evaluates your recitals, it is essential that you establish your DPRC before scheduling your first recital. We highly recommend that you finalize your DPRC by the end of your first semester so that you can schedule your first recital during your second semester.

Please note the following expectations for DPRC participation in recitals:

1. All members must be invited to the recital in a timely fashion.
2. At least one member (typically the Major Professor) must attend the recital in person.
3. At least two additional members must either attend -or- listen to the recording.
4. It is not necessary for all recitals to be evaluated by the same committee members.

SCHEDULING YOUR RECITAL

Doctoral students are encouraged, but not required, to hold their recitals in Collins Recital Hall in the Hamel Music Center, which is equipped with audio and video recording technology. To book Collins Hall, you must pay a “Graduate Recital Fee” of $145 (see the KB for details). This fee covers the booking of Collins Hall as well as audio recording service provided by our recording engineers. Video recording may be added for an extra fee ($100). Please note that these fees are NOT covered by TA/Fellow funding.

Please visit our School of Music KnowledgeBase (KB) for detailed information on the protocol for scheduling recitals: https://kb.wisc.edu/mwsomkb/facilities-student-recital-scheduling-policy

In particular, please note:

• You may request a recital reservation one month before the start of the semester.*
• There are two parts to the scheduling process:
  1. Submit your request for a date & time on EMS.
  2. Submit the event intake form with your recital details and proof of payment.
• If you request to cancel or reschedule a recital later than two weeks prior to the event, the paid $145 fee will not be refunded.

OFF-CAMPUS/CONDUCTING RECITALS

With the consent of your DPRC, you may choose to hold your recital in an off-campus venue. Additionally, conductors typically count School of Music ensemble performances toward their degree requirements. In these cases, please note:

• You will not need to schedule an event in EMS or pay the $145 fee.
• You will need to enroll in MUSIC PERF 999.
• You will need to make your own audio recording for archival purposes.
  (If conducting a School of Music ensemble in the Hamel Music Center, please contact Ben Bell Bern to discuss possible recording options)

PUBLICITY

The School of Music will publicize your recital based on the information you provide on the intake form (see above). Your event will be posted to the events calendar on the School of Music website. If you provide a headshot with the intake form, your event will also be posted to Facebook. You are welcome to create your own recital posters and place them on bulletin boards/strips around Humanities, in particular outside the Grad Office on the 5th floor! 

RECORDING

You are required to prepare an audio recording of each recital.

By scheduling your recital in Collins Hall, you will receive an audio recording of the recital. You may add optional video recording and/or livestreaming for an additional fee of $100. See the link above for detailed information about the recording capabilities in Collins Hall. If you do not hold your recital in Collins Hall, you will need to arrange for your own recording to be made.

PROGRAMS

You are required to prepare a printed program for each recital.

There are no formatting requirements for the program, however, it must include the following statement: “This recital is given in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree.” You can find a free template file here: https://kb.wisc.edu/mwsomkb/communications-student-recital-program-template

RECITAL BALLOTS

You will have an online “Recital Ballot” in the form of a Google spreadsheet that can be shared with your DPRC members throughout the course of your degree. DPRC members will enter feedback and a recommended grade. Completed ballots will be printed and archived in your student file at the end of each semester.

RECITAL GRADE

Your Major Professor will grade your recital based on the feedback from your DPRC. A grade of A, AB, or B is passing for graduate credit. A grade of BC or lower is not passing. In some cases, you may receive a grade of “Incomplete,” see below for details.

AFTER YOUR RECITAL

Please save the following materials for archiving in the Mills Music Library as part of your Doctoral Performance & Research (DPR):

• A printed copy of each recital program
• Your recital recording(s) in digital format (MP3 or MP4) on hard media (CD, DVD, or
  USB drive), either separately or on a single piece of hard media.

Everything you submit will be made available to the public for future research purposes.

INCOMPLETE RECITALS

In some cases, you may be unable to complete a scheduled recital. In this case, you have two options:

1. Drop the recital credit and re-enroll in the following semester. This is the recommended action in all cases, unless there is a financial penalty.
2. Only if there is a financial penalty for dropping the credit, you may take a grade of “Incomplete” (I) and complete the recital during the following semester. You will NOT re-enroll in the recital course; instead, your Major Professor will simply change the “I” to a letter grade once you have completed the recital. The Graduate School will place a hold on enrollment/graduation for any “I” that is not changed to a letter grade by the end of the following semester.

In order to avoid unnecessary holds, please consult James Doing before choosing the “incomplete” grade option: gpm@music.wisc.edu

Last updated: August 26, 2025