So we have reached the end of the fall semester, which as all musicians know brings forth JURIES!!!! Juries are always an interesting time because you get to find out what everyone has (or in some cases haven't) accompished during the semester. We also have what we call an Evaluation Forum. This is done after the third semester of study. It includes a 15 minte recital and then a fifteen minute interview. During the interview students have to be able to discuss their pieces, answer questions about the history of their instrument and also own up to their academic records. This forum is where it is decided if the students continue on as music majors here.

The hardest thing is always having to make the decision that someone will not continue. 90% of the time this ends up being based more on their academic work (or lack there of) than on their performing ability. But, as we all know, the reputation of the institution is on the line with every student who graduates so we have to make sure that we get the correct students into the field. It's not fun but it has to be done.

At juries students play a piece or two they have been working on, as well as scales and sight-reading. Of course, this is pretty standard through the industry. What is interesting though is always reading (or making) the comments on either instruments that you don't play or students who you don't really know. I have found that if I stick to musical comments and stay away from technique things I don't get the icy glares. Sometimes I wish my colleagues would do the same with my students! I am not a big fan of those who try to pretend they know more about an instrument than they really do. But that is part of the fun in working in academia .