Offered in: Chicago

The Performance Diploma is a two-year post-baccalaureate certificate program designed for the accomplished instrumentalist who wishes to continue performance studies at an advanced level. The program is open to students majoring in piano and orchestral instruments (string, harp, wind, brass, and percussion). Its objectives are to provide an intensive period of performance study and to allow students to concentrate on repertoires and genres of their choice (solo, solo/orchestral, or chamber music).

All repertory for study and performance is at the discretion of the major teacher. Two full recitals will be given, one at the end of each year in residence.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Please consult the CCPA Admission and Audition Information web page for audition requirements for Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion. 

Grade Requirements

• Applied Lessons: B- is the minimum passing grade for applied study (EUPH 451 EUPHONIUM (DIPLOMA), FRHN 451 FRENCH HORN (DIPLOMA), TRBN 451 TROMBONE (DIPLOMA), TRPT 451 TRUMPET (DIPLOMA), TUBA 451 TUBA (DIPLOMA)).
• Recitals: B- is the minimum passing grade for PERF 418 SOLO PERFORMANCE.

GPA Requirements

Course Requirement (Brass)

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Ensemble participation is a defining element of conservatory training and reflects the collaborative practices of professional musicians. Students in the Interdisciplinary Conservatory are expected to participate each semester in any ensembles to which they are assigned by the relevant instructor-of-record, in consultation with the Program Director and Academic Advisor. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Ensemble assignments are made at the beginning of each semester following placement and seating auditions.

RECITAL REPERTOIRE

PERF 418 SOLO PERFORMANCE

Brass: 60 minutes of music is required. Chamber music may be included with the permission of the applied teacher. The recital will be graded by the applied instructor and at least one other faculty member.

JURY REPERTOIRE

Brass: Brass majors present solo juries that consist of ten minutes of music. The repertoire should consist of a major work for the instrument, or an alternate piece presented with the permission of the applied professor. No repetition of repertoire from previous juries is allowed. Individual faculty members are encouraged to implement additional requirements for students in their studios, to which their students are bound.

Grade Requirements

• Applied Lessons: B- is the minimum passing grade for applied study PER 451 PERCUSSION (DIPLOMA).
• Recitals: B- is the minimum passing grade for PERF 418 SOLO PERFORMANCE.

GPA Requirements

Percussion Course Requirements

¹

Ensemble participation is a defining element of conservatory training and reflects the collaborative practices of professional musicians. Students in the Interdisciplinary Conservatory are expected to participate each semester in any ensembles to which they are assigned by the relevant instructor-of-record, in consultation with the Program Director and Academic Advisor. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Ensemble assignments are made at the beginning of each semester following placement and seating auditions.

RECITAL REPERTOIRE

PERF 418 SOLO PERFORMANCE

Percussion: 60 minutes of music, to be divided among marimba/vibraphone/xylophone, timpani and multi percussion/advanced snare drum solo suite. All recital repertory requirements are at the discretion of the applied instructor. Recitals are graded by the Program Director and one other faculty member.

N.B. (Percussion) Students may substitute a formal orchestral audition to be performed for a faculty panel composed of a minimum of two performance faculty members. The audition will consist of a full professional-level excerpt list on both timpani and percussion. The entire list will be performed for the panel and include 60 minutes of music. Students who wish for their final performance project to be satisfied by this formal orchestral audition must complete a Recital Exception Petition.

JURY REPERTOIRE

Percussion: Repertoire selected at the discretion of the applied instructor.

Grade Requirements

• Applied Lessons: B- is the minimum passing grade for applied study (BSSN 451 BASSOON (DIPLOMA), CLAR 451 CLARINET (DIPLOMA), FLT 451 FLUTE (DIPLOMA), OBOE 451 OBOE MAJOR, or SAX 451 STRING BASS (DIPLOMA)).
• Recitals: B- is the minimum passing grade for PERF 418 SOLO PERFORMANCE.

GPA Requirements

Course Requirements (Woodwinds)

¹

Ensemble participation is a defining element of conservatory training and reflects the collaborative practices of professional musicians. Students in the Interdisciplinary Conservatory are expected to participate each semester in any ensembles to which they are assigned by the relevant instructor-of-record, in consultation with the Program Director and Academic Advisor. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Ensemble assignments are made at the beginning of each semester following placement and seating auditions.

RECITAL REPERTOIRE

PERF 418 SOLO PERFORMANCE

60 minutes of music is required. Chamber music may be included with the permission of the applied teacher. Students are required to perform their recital with piano, as applicable to their chosen repertoire and at the discretion of the primary applied instructor. Memorization requirements are at the discretion of the primary applied instructor, and the recital will be graded by the primary applied instructor.

JURY REPERTOIRE

15 minutes of music is required. Students are required to perform their jury with piano, as applicable to their chosen repertoire and at the discretion of the primary applied instructor. Memorization requirements are at the discretion of the primary applied instructor, and the recital will be graded by the primary applied instructor and at least one other faculty member.

This degree map charts a suggested pathway through all of your required courses. It is incumbent upon all students to fully comprehend curricular requirements and course schedules, and while it is feasible to chart an alternate pathway, it is highly recommended that you do so in close consultation with your academic advisor so as to determine a degree path appropriately tailored to your needs.

Degree Map (Brass)

This degree map charts a suggested pathway through all of your required courses. It is incumbent upon all students to fully comprehend curricular requirements and course schedules, and while it is feasible to chart an alternate pathway, it is highly recommended that you do so in close consultation with your academic advisor so as to determine a degree path appropriately tailored to your needs.

This degree map charts a suggested pathway through all of your required courses. It is incumbent upon all students to fully comprehend curricular requirements and course schedules, and while it is feasible to chart an alternate pathway, it is highly recommended that you do so in close consultation with your academic advisor so as to determine a degree path appropriately tailored to your needs.

Degree Map (Woodwinds)