For more specific course information about Studio please see the Music Studio Program
Semester Requirements for Studio
- Each student will receive twelve 50-minute lessons per semester.
- Each student is required to attend all masterclasses in his/her area of studio study.
**Students should consult with their studio teachers and course syllabi regarding any additional masterclass or recital attendance requirements**
- Admission into studio is determined by an audition (MUSI2148) or the successful completion of the previous level of studio with a minimum grade of ‘C.’ There are additional prerequisites for Studio V (MUSI3548) and Studio VII (MUSI4748) as follows:
- Studio V (MUSI3548): Students must have also successfully completed Theory II (MUSI2261), Musicianship Skills II (MUSI2261), and The Eighteenth Century (MUSI2090; formerly History II)
- Studio VII (MUSI4748): Students must have also successfully completed Theory IV (MUSI3460), Musicianship Skills IV (MUSI3461), and The Nineteenth Century (MUSI3480; formerly History IV)
- Should a student decide to leave studio studies for more than one semester (i.e. withdraw during the semester, or a planned semester(s) off), an audition for re-entry to the program is required. Acceptance is predicated on the successful completion of the audition and on available space in the respective studio. Each studio is subject to quotas. Studio Audition Application Form.
- Each student in Studio II (MUSI 2248) and Studio IV (MUSI3448,) is required to complete a practical examination at the end of each semester. This examination is called a ‘jury.’ Composition Studio students will complete an interview at the end of each semester. Please see the Juries section for more information.
- At the discretion of the studio instructor, each student in Studio VI (MUSI3648) is required to perform a juried recital 90-minutes in length. These recitals are shared by 3 students, with each performing roughly 20 minutes of repertoire. Alternatively, the student is required to perform an extended jury with 20 minutes of repertoire. Please see Junior and Graduation Recitals section for more information.
- At the discretion of the studio instructor, each student in Studio VIII (MUSI4848) is required to perform a juried recital 50-60 minutes in length. Alternatively, the student is required to perform an extended jury with 50-60 minutes of repertoire (the jury will not exceed 30 minutes in length). Please see Junior and Graduation Recitals section for more information. Students enrolled in Composition Studio are required to present a juried recital of their works 50-60 minutes in length in lieu of a jury.
LETTER GRADES for MUSIC STUDIO COURSES: Semester Grade, Jury, Recital
This document is intended to assist studio faculty and students with the interpretation of letter grades as they apply to studio course semester grades, juries and required recitals.
“A” RANGE: This range of grades indicates varying degrees of excellence.
A+ (93+)
This grade is awarded to a student whose work is of outstanding/exemplary calibre in both technical accomplishment and artistic maturity, in keeping with the student’s studio level.
A (85-92)
Indicates excellent work that is secure and polished.
A- (80-84)
This grade is awarded to a student whose work is consistently well-prepared. There is technical and musical accomplishment throughout the performance/semester work.
“B” RANGE: This range of grades indicates a good performance.
B+ (77-79)
Indicates a well-prepared, musically and technically sound performance – a presentation almost but not quite polished enough to deserve an A-.
B (74-76)
Indicates that, in addition to adequate preparation, the student displays musicianship and/or technical accomplishment beyond the minimum standards.
B- (70-73)
Indicates that the student’s work is above the minimum acceptable standard for this course level. There are technical and musical weaknesses that need to be addressed, but the repertoire is of adequate difficulty and the jury/recital material is reasonably well prepared and presented.
“C” RANGE: Grades in this range indicate that the work and difficulty of repertoire are satisfactory. However, there are obvious technical and musical weaknesses that need to be addressed. Should a grade of less than “C” be earned in a studio course prerequisite, advancement in the studio sequence shall depend upon the results of an audition.
C+ (67-69)
Indicates that the student’s work is of a satisfactory standard. The repertoire is of an appropriate difficulty for this studio level, but there are some technical and musical weaknesses that need to be addressed.
C (64-66)
Indicates that the student is on the borderline of acceptability for continuation in the studio sequence. Obvious technical and musical weaknesses need to be addressed and improved upon.
C- (60-63)
Indicates that the student’s work is unacceptable for continuation in the studio sequence, unless improvement is shown in a subsequent audition.
N.B. Students preparing required recitals should note that if the quality of presentation is poor and could potentially lead to one of the grades listed in the categories below, the Music Department, on the recommendation of the studio instructor, has the right to cancel a planned student recital. In such a case, and particularly in the case of Studio VIII, the studio instructor may recommend that the student withdraw from the course before the Registrar-mandated withdrawal deadline.
“D” RANGE: Grades in this range indicate that the work is below the minimum standard expected of a music student at this level, although the student still passes the course.
D+ (55-59) D (50-54): Poor Minimal pass
The student’s work is of unacceptable quality in preparation, musicianship and/or technical accomplishment. Advancement in the studio sequence shall depend upon the results of an audition.
F (49 or less): Failure
N.B. A grade of "F" is assigned to any student who fails to complete their final jury or recital. As noted above, should a grade of less than "C" be earned in a studio course prerequisite, advancement in the studio sequence shall depend upon the results of an audition.
Studio course grading percentages:
Studio I, III, V, VII: Instructor 100%
Studio II, IV: Instructor 70%; Jury 30%
Studio VI: Instructor 70%; Jury/Recital 30%
Studio VIII: Instructor 60%; Jury/Recital 40%
Instructor Access
Students should contact their studio teachers to determine if your lessons will be in-person, online, or blended (some in-person, some online).
Generally, all lessons take place in the Centre for the Arts at the University of Lethbridge. There are many full-time instructors of studio that can be available to students outside of the scheduled lesson time.
There are also several part-time studio teachers, some of whom travel to the university to offer lessons. Some part-time studio instructors do not travel to the university to offer lessons. In these cases, students will be required to travel to their studio teacher for lessons. Please consult your studio teacher and the studio coordinator for more information.
With regards to part-time teachers, students may not have in-person access to their teachers beyond the lesson time. Students should speak to their respective teacher about availability outside the lesson time.