Freshman Examination

At the end of the second semester of the freshman year (MUS 107), voice students must demonstrate vocal proficiency and musicianship appropriate to sophomore level applied study. During the second MUS 107 jury, the faculty are charged with deciding if the student:

1. has demonstrated vocal growth and proficiency appropriate for the sophomore level (all degree programs);

2. has learned his/her music at a sufficient rate and quality during the first two semesters (all degree programs);

3. has demonstrated sufficient growth and qualities in musicianship, character development, presentation and vocal technique appropriate for the sophomore level (all degree programs);

4. has demonstrated a proficiency in singing in a foreign language to progress on to French and German. (BSEd, BA, BM performance degrees);

5. has demonstrated disciplined practice habits and a healthy work ethic necessary to succeed at WCU’s School of Music.

If a student scores low in two or more of these areas, sophomore status will be denied.  It will be up to the discretion of the teacher to determine the semester grade for this student. But the highest grade earnable will be

a C-.  The student will be offered another chance to pass the Freshman Exam by repeating MUS 107 for a third time. No more than fifty percent of the literature may be repeated. Should the student fail the Freshman Exam for a second time, the student may not register for sophomore level voice and thus will no longer be a music major.

Please note: Students may not register for sophomore level voice regardless of success at the Freshman Exam, if they have not successfully passed MUS 108 Aural Skills I and MUS 118 Music Theory I.