Performance/Composition Emphasis

Capstone Project

A. Students who choose the composition emphasis can either: 1) submit a written score of their compositions or 2) when working from the oral tradition, submit a recording of their compositions.

B. Pre-performance jury. Students who have chosen the composition emphasis must enroll in ETHNOMU 199 (2 units) in winter quarter, with their emphasis advisor. Students must submit their compositions or recordings of their compositions to a pre-performance jury in the 5th week of winter quarter. The pre-performance jury will consist of a faculty committee who will determine whether or not the compositions are ready to be performed in public.

C. Final performance. Students' compositions must be presented in a final performance during the spring quarter of their senior year. Students must enroll in ETHNOMU 186 (2 units) with their emphasis advisor in spring quarter. The performance may take place on campus (in Schoenberg Music Building) or at an off-campus venue. It must be performed live and video recorded. The recording must be submitted to a faculty committee for evaluation.

The pre-performance jury
A group of two or more faculty members will serve as committee members to evaluate students in the pre-performance jury. Possible committee members will be Münir Beken, Cheryl Keyes, Steve Loza, James Newton, and the student's performance instructor.

Scheduling the pre-performance jury
The pre-performance jury will be scheduled on Friday of the 5th week of winter quarter.

Material for the pre-performance jury
Students must prepare at least 50% of their intended compositions for the pre-performance jury. The jury will then give suggestions for improvement. If the jury panel decides that the student is inadequately prepared, it can recommend postponement of the final performance.

Content of final performance
The final performance of compositions should be prepared in close association with the student's composition/performance instructors. This preparation should begin during the first quarter of the student's final year as an undergraduate, and continue until the performance.

Students can choose one of the following formats for the performance of their compositions:
a) solo performance
b) small group performance
c) performance by a departmental ensemble

Scheduling the final performance
Students who are eligible to have their compositions performed (have passed their pre-performance jury) will receive their performance packet in Fall Quarter. Final composition performances are scheduled for the Spring Quarter, and the student is asked to select three dates. Your selections must be approved by your primary advisor.

Once the requests are in the office, students will be assigned dates on a first-come-first-served basis. Students will be sent an assignment letter, which outlines all services. They will also receive the program approval form, which will require faculty signature.

Logistics and preparation
In preparing for their final composition performance, there are numerous logistical considerations that the student must plan for, including the following:

a) locating musicians/singers/accompanists
b) organizing rehearsal time (a minimum of three rehearsals is highly recommended)
c) preparing and making parts available to the musicians in a timely manner
d) booking the venue (see "scheduling the pre-performance jury" above)
e) checking lighting, sound and equipment needs (see "sound system" below)
f) creating and duplicating a printed program (see "printed program" below)
g) timing the performance for length
h) arranging for recording the performance
i) organizing a reception
j) promotional materials such as posters
k) appropriate performance attire (see "promotion" below)
l) staff/faculty signatures/approvals needed before and after the performance
m) transportation needs

All of these tasks are the responsibility of the student, but can be discussed with members of the faculty committee and with the undergraduate advisor. See sections below for details.

Printed programs
All performances must have a printed program with pertinent information about the musical selections, including performers. The program should also include a brief description and/or analysis of the individual selections and the date the composition was written. Don't forget to include the month, day and year of the recital! Faculty are expected to assist their students in preparing performance program copy and must sign the Program Approval Form. Please give one copy of your program to Al Bradley to keep for the record.

You must make copies yourself of the program. Bring them with you to the performance.

Program format
There is a standard format for all student performance programs. This format must be followed. When preparing for the Program Approval Form, be sure to follow these guidelines:

1. The cover format must include:

a) The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
b) Department of Ethnomusicology
c) Your name
d) World Music Concentration, Composition Emphasis
e) "Senior Composition Performance "
f) Performance date and time
g) Performance location

2. The inside format must include:

a) the title and date composed of each piece
b) a description of each piece: the ideas which motivated the piece; the compositional influences; genre
c) include the names of accompanists or other performers
d) your biography (short - 3 to 5 sentences)
e) brief acknowledgements are permitted on the program

NOTE: Please pay attention to spelling, capitals, and include complete names and titles. All questions regarding programs should be addressed to the private instructor.

Performance promotion
Students are expected to promote their own performance. They can get some assistance from the department, but the main responsibility is up to the student. They must promote their performance through the use of posters, fliers, mailers, email lists, and other possible media outlets.

Posters, fliers and emails are to be distributed and posted at least ten days before the performance. Posters and fliers can be placed on official ethnomusicology boards in Schoenberg Music Building; do not place on wall, doors, and windows. The date of completion of the promotion should be noted and submitted as part of the performance report to the undergraduate advisor.

Sound System
Students should remember the importance of sound in a concert as it can have a positive or negative effect on the musicians and the audience. Students are responsible for making the sound system at the venue as good as possible. The person in charge of the performance venue can best help to fulfill the needs of the expected performance program. Well before the performance date, the student needs to inspect the venue and the existing sound system and try to learn how to use it. If at all possible, the student should have an early sound check/rehearsal in the venue before the performance.

Students must contact Shelley Eckart via email < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it > no later than one week before the performance. The email must include the following information: 1) what the program is about or the format or type of music that will be played; 2) what technical aspects need to be addressed.

Off-campus technical needs
It is the student's responsibility to contact representatives from the venue where they will have the performance, to take care of their technical needs.

Audio and video recordings
For recitals taking place in Schoenberg
Please confirm your recital date and time with the Technical Services office, at least one week prior to your recital. The Technical Services Office will make an audio recording of your performance. This recording will serve as documentation that you have completed your capstone requirement for the performance/composition emphasis, and will be made available to the faculty for their evaluation.

In addition to the audio recording, you are required to make a video (DVD or VHS) recording of the recital. Please submit a copy of the recording to Al Bradley no later than one week after your recital. However, the video recording must be given to Al by Friday of 10th week, even if the recital takes place during 10th week.

For recitals taking place at an off-campus venue
You are required to make a video (DVD or VHS) recording of the recital. This recording will serve as documentation that you have completed your capstone requirement for the performance/composition emphasis, and will be made available to the faculty for their evaluation. Please submit a copy of the recording to Al Bradley no later than one week after your recital. However, the video recording must be given to Al by Friday of 10th week, even if the recital takes place during 10th week.

The video recording should be labeled with the following information:

a) Your name
b) World Music Concentration, Composition Emphasis
c) "Senior Composition Performance "
d) Performance date and time
e) Performance location

The video recording will not be returned. It will remain as a permanent record of the completion of your composition performance.

Cancellations
Should it be necessary to cancel or change a performance date, please notify Al Bradley. Performance change petitions are available in Al Bradley's office. The instructor's signature is required.