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Assessment : 2013 - 2014 : Educational Programs :
Music MM

2 Goals    2 Objectives    2 Indicators    2 Criteria    2 Findings    2 Actions


GOAL: Music Performance

Objective  
High Quality Performance Of Standard Literature
Students will perform standard literature for their instrument/voice The music selections will be appropriate to the masters degree level and performance practices at the professional level.

Indicator  
Pre-Recital Hearing & Recital Review  
Graduate students must pass a pre-recital hearing indicating the music required for their recital has been prepared to a professional performance-ready level. Students will present at least one graduate recital which indicates they have attained the appropriate level of mastery of their instrument/voice at a level which must be  consistent with the national standards  of the National Association of Schools of Music(NASM). Subsequently, the "recital-ready" student performs his Recital and is reviewed by at least three faculty members

Masters of Music Recital Review and Pre-Recital Hearing Performance Standards:
     The application of performance standards used for each instrument or voice will vary  widely based upon composers, periods and styles; nevertheless, the following standard performance qualities are checked by all faculty and assessed in the specific context of the particular performance piece :
   Intonation,
   rhythmic accuracy and
   tone quality 
Students must sing/play in turn, with the proper/appropriate intonation and tone quality and within the prescribed rhythmic patters for the  periods and composers and styles of their performance pieces
     For the Recital Review, at least three faculty members evaluate the student performance as passing or failing and provide detailed feedback


Criterion  
All Students Recital-Ready In 3 Or Less Pre-Recital Attempts & All Pass Recital  
The ideal is for each student to pass the pre-recital hearing at the first attempt; however, due to the rigorous application of indicator standards that are common to the SHSU Masters Music Program faculty,  a high, yet realistically attainable criterion is that  Students should pass the pre-recital hearing with no more than three (3) attempts. 100% of students will pass the pre-recital hearing within three attempts and be judged "recital ready."  The School of Music considers 95% of the students passing the recital jury on the first attempt to be a success.
ALL students will pass their subsequent Recital Performance
Finding  
Findings  
The master's students performed well according to the criteria. In fact, all master's students passed their hearing on the first attempt. All students passed the recital without issue.
Actions for Objective:

Action  
Performance Practice  
The School of Music Faculty have found that recreating the performance environment within practice sessions both with the faculty member and peers has aided the students' success in the performance of the hearing and the recital.


GOAL: Comprehensive Music Knowledge Base

Objective  
Breadth Of Knowledge
MM students need to obtain an appropriate level of musical knowledge beyond their area of expertise. This should include but is not limited to music performance/ pedagogy, conducting, music theory, music history.

Indicator  
Comprehensive Exam  
Students will take an oral comprehensive exam in their final semester of study.  This test will be relevant to all aspects of study that the student has experienced in the program including, performance/pedagogy, music theory and music history.  The test will be administered by a minimum of three school of music faculty from the designated fields of study.
Criterion  
Exam Standards  
Students are scored in three different categories; their applied area; music history; and music theory.  They are scored as "High Pass"; "Pass"; and "Fail."  The School of Music expects 90% of the students to score at the "pass" level or higher on the first attempt.
Finding  
Results  
90% MM students successfully passed the comprehensive exam with a "pass" or higher . The remaining 10% were required to do additional assignments in order to satisfy the expectation of the faculty committee.
Actions for Objective:

Action  
Holistic Approach  
The School of Music Faculty realize that the Master's candidates perform well in their applied areas of expertise, however, yet still lack in the other academic disciplines. Using a holistic approach to teaching in the applied areas and including instruction of a theoretical and historical nature has increased the candidates success in obtaining a broad knowledge base.



Previous Cycle's "Plan for Continuous Improvement"

The School of Music will continue to build upon the foundation established and within the mission of the school and univeristy at large.  One of the immediate needs for improvement deals with growth.  The School of Music needs more TA lines as part of the budget.  We are only granted 5 from the university.  The School of Music funds another 5 lines from its budget.  We could significantly increase the number and quality of our graduate program with more Teaching Assistantships.

Update on Previous Cycle's "Plan for Continuous Improvement"

In an contiuous effort to grow our graduate program, additional TA lines were requested as part of School of Music initiatives; however, none were funded.
Plan for Continuous Improvement

In an effort to strengthen the School of Music's graduate offerings a Master of Art in Band Conducting has been created and will go into effect in Summer 2015.  In addition, efforts have been made to align the School of Music's curriculum with NASM (our accrediting agency) guidlines.



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