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Assessment : 2011 - 2012 : Educational Programs :
Musical Theatre BFA

7 Goals    7 Objectives    7 Indicators    7 Criteria    7 Findings    7 Actions


GOAL: Vocal Proficiency - Musicianship

Objective  
Musical Theatre Majors Will Demonstrate Proficiency In Musicianship
During a juried performance, the student's proficiency in musicianship will be evaluated relative to rhythm, tempo, dynamics, musical sensitivity, and appropriate styling choices.

Indicator  
Musicianship Juried Assessment  
Each musical theatre student is required to complete a juried vocal performance. The juries consist of Theater and Musical Theatre faculty. The performance is evaluated using a 100 point departmental rubric. A final, comprehensive score representing the evaluation of all vocal areas of proficiency is determined.
Criterion  
Musician Criterion  
Scores resulting from the end of semester juries are categorized as 95-100= Excellent; 90-94= Above Average; 80-89= One or more area need development; 70-79= Below Average. As a unit, the department considers above average proficiency by 90% of students to be a success.
Finding  
Musicianship Success  
We are delighted that 90% of our students reached the criteria of above average. Those who did not meet the criteria met individually with vocal coaches to work on rythm, tempo, dynamics, musical sensitivity, and styling choices.

Actions for Objective:

Action  
Vocal Instructor Assignments  
Based on the findings in the vocal juries, some students were reassigned to new vocal instructors due to dissatisfaction with the progress of vocal instruction. These decisions were made by the Vocal Coordinator and Dept. Chair with consideration of additional information.


GOAL: Dance Proficiency - Basic Technique

Objective  
Musical Theatre Majors Will Demonstrate Proficiency In Basic Technical Dance Skills
During a juried performance, the student's proficiency in basic technical dance skills will be evaluated. These skills include subsets of techniques from ballet, tap, jazz, modern and lyrical.

Indicator  
Dance Musical Theatre Combined Jury  
All musical theatre majors are required to complete a combined jury focusing on a combination of three areas: voice, acting, and dance. At the jury, the student is taught one or two new dance combinations  of different genres during the jury session and are required to perform those combinations with a minimum of rehearsal. Students' dance proficiency is evaluated on a 1 to 5 scale on each combination by each judge. Judges discuss scores and come to a holistic determination about the students' proficiency and where improvement may be needed.
Criterion  
95% Of Meet Dance Proficiency Standards For Musical Theatre  
Individual student's jury performance is either accepted or rejected based on the actual score and the improvement in score from previous juries. We expect at least 95% of Musical Theatre students to meet this benchmark.
Finding  
85% Success  
Only 85% of students were judged as accepted. The remaining 15% met with their dance instructors to gain feedback regarding techniques including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and lyrical.
Actions for Objective:

Action  
Dance Advising Suggestions  
Students were informed of their weak areas and advised to enroll in appropriate dance courses to address these weaknesses. We have found that this is effective to advise appropriate courses based on jury results.


GOAL: Acting Proficiency

Objective  
Musical Theatre Majors Will Demonstrate Proficiency In Character Development
During a juried performance of a pre-prepared monologue, the student will demonstrate proficiency in character development including effective movement, playing objectives, textual clarity, and vocal energy.

Indicator  
Acting - Musical Theatre Combined Jury  
All musical theatre majors are required to complete a combined jury focusing on a combination of three areas: voice, acting, and dance. At the jury, students prepare two contrasting monologues ( each 1min to 1.5 mins in length ) for  the jury session and are required to display proficiency in character development including effective movement, playing objectives, textual clarity, and vocal energy. Students' acting proficiency is evaluated on a 1 to 5 scale on each monologue by each judge. Judges discuss scores and come to a holistic determination about the students' proficiency and where improvement may be needed.
Criterion  
95% Must Meet Acting Proficiency Standards  
Individual student's jury performance is either accepted or rejected based on the actual score and the improvement in score from previous juries. We expect at least 95% of Musical Theatre students to meet this benchmark

Finding  
Monologue Results  
90% of students met the targeted criterion and were acceptable. For those unable to acheive the criterion, individual meetings with acting coaches were arranged to help the individual student with the movement, objective, clarity, and energy issues.
Actions for Objective:

Action  
Acting Advisement Suggestions  
Students were informed of their weak areas and advised to enroll in appropriate acting courses to address these weaknesses. We have found that this is effective to advise appropriate courses based on jury results.


GOAL: Dance Proficiency - Execution Of Combinations

Objective  
Musical Theatre Majors Will Demonstrate Proficiency In Execution Of Combinations
During a juried performance, the student's proficiency in combination execution will be evaluated. Students are evaluated on use of space, energy, expressiveness and stylistic choices while performing a piece introduced during the jury session.

Indicator  
Dance Musical Theatre Jury  
All musical theatre majors are required to complete a combined jury focusing on a combination of three areas: voice, acting, and dance. At the jury, the student is taught one or two new dance combinations  of different genres during the jury session and are required to perform those combination with a minimum of rehearsal. Students' dance proficiency is evaluated on a 1 to 5 scale on each combination by each judge. Judges discuss scores and come to a holistic determination about the students' proficiency and where improvement may be needed.
Criterion  
95% Of Students Will Be Judged As Accepted  
Individual student's jury performance is either accepted or rejected based on the actual score and the improvement in score from previous juries. We expect at least 95% of Musical Theatre students to meet this benchmark.
Finding  
90% Success  
90% of students were judged by the jury to be acceptable. Those not making the target criterion met with their dance instructors one-on-one regarding performances and received specific instruction and feedback in the areas of use of space, energy, expressiveness, and stylistic choices.
Actions for Objective:

Action  
Dance Proficiency Advisement  
Students were made aware of their weak areas and advised what classes to take for improvement.


GOAL: Vocal Proficiency - Technique

Objective  
Musical Theatre Majors Will Demonstrate Proficiency In Vocal Technique
Each student will demonstrate, through a juried performance, proficiency in vocal technique relative to flexibility, breath support, diction, registration shifts, intonation, and control.

Indicator  
Musical Theatre End Of Semester Vocal Assessment  
Each musical theatre student is required to complete a juried vocal performance. The juries consist of Theater and Musical Theatre faculty. The performance is evaluated using a 100 point departmental rubric (attached). A final, comprehensive score representing the evaluation of all vocal areas of proficiency is determined.
Criterion  
Vocal Proficiency Standards  
Scores resulting from the end of semester juries are categorized as 95-100= Excellent; 90-94= Above Average; 80-89= One or more area need development; 70-79= Below Average. As a unit, the department considers above average proficiency by 90% of students to be a success.
Finding  
80% Success  
80% of students met the target criterion.  The remaining 20% met with vocal coaching in a one on one situation to receive coaching.
Actions for Objective:

Action  
Vocal Technique Advising Suggestions  
Students were informed of their weak areas and advised to enroll in appropriate vocal courses to address these weaknesses. We have found that this is effective to advise appropriate courses based on jury results.


GOAL: Vocal Proficiency - Artistry

Objective  
Musical Theatre Majors Will Demonstrate Proficiency In Artistry
Each student, through a juried performance, will demonstrate proficient artistry in vocal performance. Specifically, students will be evaluated on communication of text, playing objectives, acting, and personality/type.

Indicator  
Musical Theatre Juried Vocal Assessment  
Each musical theatre student is required to complete a juried vocal performance. The juries consist of Theater and Musical Theatre faculty. The performance is evaluated using a 100 point departmental rubric. A final, comprehensive score representing the evaluation of all vocal areas of proficiency is determined.
Criterion  
Vocal Standards  
Scores resulting from the end of semester juries are categorized as 95-100= Excellent; 90-94= Above Average; 80-89= One or more area need development; 70-79= Below Average. As a unit, the department considers above average proficiency by 90% of students to be a success.
Finding  
Ninety Percent Success  
90% of students met the target criterion. The remaining 10% met with vocal coaches in a one-on-one situation to receive coaching regarding communication of text, play objectives, personality/type, and acting.
Actions for Objective:

Action  
Vocal Artistry Advising Suggestions  
Students were informed of their weak areas and advised to enroll in appropriate vocal courses to address these weaknesses. We have found that this is effective to advise appropriate courses based on jury results.


GOAL: Vocal Proficiency - Voice Characteristics

Objective  
Musical Theatre Majors Will Demonstrate Proficiency In Voice Characteristics
Each student, through a juried performance, will demonstrate prficient voice characteristics. Specifically, they will be evaluated on quality, evenness of registration, and belt range.

Indicator  
Musical Theory Juried Assessment  
Each musical theatre student is required to complete a juried vocal performance. The juries consist of Theater and Musical Theatre faculty. The performance is evaluated using a 100 point departmental rubric. A final, comprehensive score representing the evaluation of all vocal areas of proficiency is determined.
Criterion  
Voice Characteristics Standards  
Scores resulting from the end of semester juries are categorized as 95-100= Excellent; 90-94= Above Average; 80-89= One or more area need development; 70-79= Below Average. As a unit, the department considers above average proficiency by 90% of students to be a success.
Finding  
Voice Characteristics Success  
We were pleased that 90% met the target. However, to give appropriate feedback, vocal coaches met individually with students to provide feedback regarding their voice quality, registration evenness, and belt range.
Actions for Objective:

Action  
Vocal Characteristics Advising Suggestions  
Students were informed of their weak areas and advised to enroll in appropriate vocal courses to address these weaknesses. We have found that this is effective to advise appropriate courses based on jury results.



Closing the Loop

The Musical Theatre program will continue its ongoing assessment of classes necessary to create the strongest Musical Theatre majors possible.  Juries will continue in all areas. 


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Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX 77341
(936) 294-1111
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