Recitals

Recital Requirements

• Performance majors are required to give two full recitals, generally during their Junior and Senior years.
• They may do more if desired, upon the discretion of their studio instructor. Students are also encouraged to check with their studio instructor for assistance.
• Music majors in other sequences often give recitals also; however, it is not a requirement for their degree sequence.

Choosing Dates, Times and Locations

• Recital dates and dress rehearsals must be arranged with the assistance of the Music Department Coordinator, Deb Guertin.
  • Recital dates are chosen at the end of the previous academic year.
    • Preference is given in order of class and major (i.e. 1-Senior Music Majors, 2-Senior Music Minors, 3-Senior Non-Music Majors, 4-Junior Music Majors...).
• When scheduling a recital, students will receive a dress rehearsal time slot in the venue of the performance. This usually takes place the day before the recital, although students may change their time by contacting Fine Arts Programming. Dress rehearsals will include stage etiquette.
• Junior and Senior Recitals can be held at either the Stephen B. Humphrey Theater at St. John's, or Petters Auditorium in the Benedicta Arts Center at St. Ben's.
  • Sophomore recitals can be held in either the Recital Hall or Instrumental Rehearsal Hall at the Benedicta Arts Center, or the Choral Rehearsal Room or Emmaus Chapel at St. John's University
• A recital fee of $40.00 is charged for the performance space production costs.
• Prior to their recitals, Fine Arts Programming will e-mail a technical form to students performing in the Humphrey Theater and Petters Auditorium. The students must fill out this form, including the following information:
  • stage layout
  • complete recital program with the duration of each piece
  • reception information
  • recording information
  • equipment needed
• Students may request Fine Arts Programming record their recital, $10.00 for a DAT tape and $5.00 for a CD or cassette tape. The Music Department pays for senior recital CD recordings. 
• Individuals desiring their performance be taped at a venue outside of the Humphrey Theater or Petters Auditorium should contact the media department for assistance. There will be a charge for their services which you should obtain from them when you make the proper arrangements. Reservations should be made at the time you schedule your recital date.
• Further information is available from Fine Arts Programming.

Accompanists

• It is recommended that students needing an accompanist make arrangements through their studio instructor and the head of the keyboard area, Dr. Edward Turley.
  • It is best to contact an accompanist at least three months in advance or the semester prior to the recital date.
  • It is also noted that during peak performance times of the semester it may be necessary for students to seek an accompanist from off-campus. Faculty members and studio instructors may help students with recommendations for professional pianists.

Recital Posters/Programs:

• Students are responsible for production of their own posters & programs.
  • Posters
    • Cannot exceed 11x17 inches in size.
    • Posters need to be posted at the designated bulletin boards only (click here for locations), by the performer.
    • These are for the major bulletin boards on each campus and do not include student dormitories. If students desire to distribute posters in dormitories, provide the RA on each floor with a poster for posting.
    • Students also need to provide Deb Guertin, Music Department Coordinator, with 10 copies for posting on both campuses as well as for inclusion in a yearly performance booklet.
• Regardless of the location of the recital, students must submit THREE PROGRAMS & ONE POSTER to Deb Guertin for inclusion in the students file.
• Students are reminded that the poster and program are academic documents which require studio instructor approval prior to printing.
• Deb Guertin has examples of posters & programs for choral and instrumental performances from past academic programs in her office at SJU. Students may wish to view some samples before creating their own posters and programs.

Style Guide for Concert/Recital Programs

Receptions:

• Reception needs may be accommodated through Food Services at St. Ben's (#5112) or Dining Services at St. John's (#2240), or students may provide their own receptions.
• If hosting a reception, make this known on the technical sheet requested by the Fine Arts Programming Office.
  • They will ensure a reception table is available for use in the Benedicta Arts Center Lobby or Gallery Lounge following performances in the Petters Auditorium or the Humphrey Lobby following a performance in the Humphrey Theater. 
  • Following performances in the BAC Recital Hall, BAC Instrumental Rehearsal Hall, or SJU Choral Rehearsal Room (MU 028), receptions are hosted in the hallway directly outside the performing space.
  • Emmaus receptions may be held in the Dining Hall in the lower level of Emmaus Hall.  This space needs to be reserved ahead of time.