Planning a Recital


The Percussion Area utilizes two types of recitals: degree and optional. All recitals require approval from Dr. Moore. Optional recitals include informal studio class recitals, The Semi-Annual Last Chance Concert, solo or joint recitals at the sophomore and junior level, and honors recitals. Degree recitals include senior recitals, and graduate recitals for M.A. and D.M.A. candidates. 


Senior and M.A. recitals require a committee of three School of Music faculty including Dr. Moore. D.M.A. recitals require a committee of five School of Music faculty including Dr. Moore. Committee members are selected in consultation with Dr. Moore. For more information about Committee Structure click here.


For a Senior Recital, you must sign up for MUS:4900:0IND Senior Recital


Setting a Recital Date


Careful planning is key to a successful recital. Allow time to prepare for the recital, taking into consideration class load, work schedule, or time-intensive projects. You cannot present a senior recital during a semester in which you are student teaching. To set your recital date:

1. Meet with Dr. Moore to establish a general time frame for the recital, at least three months before the desired recital date.

2. Identify several available dates, times, and locations by consulting the Astra Calendar.

           3. Check these possible dates for conflicts with accompanists and major collaborators. 

  1. 4.Discuss the dates with Dr. Moore, then choose a date and time. For a senior or graduate recital, identify committee members. Finally, refer to the School of Music Website to schedule the recital by starting here.


Selecting Repertoire for a Senior Recital


The senior recital is the culmination of undergraduate percussion study at the University of Iowa. It reflects both the broad-based curriculum that is the heart of the UI Percussion Program and the interests and accomplishments of the recitalist. At a minimum the senior recital will demonstrate technical proficiency, musical maturity, and performance artistry on marimba, vibraphone, multi-percussion, and timpani.   

The recital should consist of a minimum of 50 minutes of music and must consist of these components:

•   Primary keyboard work (4-mallet)

•   Secondary keyboard work (2- or 4-mallet)

•   Primary multi-percussion or timpani work

•   Secondary multi-percussion or timpani work

•   Chamber music work (ensemble piece in which the recitalist plays a significant part; this may be used to satisfy one of the above components)

•   At least one keyboard work must be performed from memory

Additional works may include:

•   Chamber work with a collaborator from another performance studio

•   Works to illustrate unique areas of study such as ethnic or electronic percussion, improvised music

•   Original composition by the recitalist (highly encouraged)

•   Commission of new works (highly encouraged)


All recital repertoire must be approved by Dr. Moore. Print, read closely, and use the Repertoire Planning Worksheet to aid in choosing repertoire that fulfills the requirements. As a resource, over 45 years of recital programs are on file. You may check out scores from the Iowa Percussion Library and Dr. Moore’s personal collection to help in selecting repertoire (return them to the files as quickly as possible). The Rita Benton Music Library also has percussion music. Once you select a work to perform, you must purchase it or acquire it from the library. You must own original published copies of all in print music performed on public recitals, as well as all implements (mallets, etc.).


The Program and Notes


You generate your recital program. This is not only a document for the day of your recital, it is also a historical record for future percussionists. It is important to have names of who played what, dates of composers, and, when possible, dates of compositions for every work on the program.

For a degree recital, you must research and compose a significant program note for each work performed. Attached to the printed program, the notes serve as a record of your academic efforts in percussion. The overall tone of the notes should be scholarly, without inside jokes or editorializing remarks. Distill significant information on works and composers into a concise, accurate, interesting program note. Simply copying a note or bio directly from the score, from a website, or a search engine such as Wikipedia is unacceptable.

Submit your program and notes to Dr. Moore in final form for review. If necessary, ask/hire someone to edit and proofread for you before giving them to Dr. Moore.


Recital Preparation Time Line


Following is the time line for preparing your recital. These times are minimums. Mark these deadlines in your analog or digital calendar.

3 months before recital date:

•   Have all repertoire selected and approved; establish a plan for learning notes

•   Engage an accompanist (if needed) and other collaborators and provide them with music and performance dates

1 month before:

•   All notes should be learned by now

•   Begin rehearsals of chamber music involving collaborators

•   Collect information for program notes

3 weeks before:

•   Engage recording services

•   Complete your program and program notes

10 school days before:

•   Play through all major recital repertoire for Dr. Moore to determine if the recital will go forward

7 school days before:

  1.   Turn in program and notes in final form to Dr. Moore for review and approval


2-3 days before:

•   Arrange a dress rehearsal. Dr. Moore may or may not attend to hear ensemble or problematic pieces

•   Play through all repertoire several times back to back

•   Copy the final program (75-100 copies)

  1.   Send an email reminder to your committee members 24 hours before the recital

  2. Dr. Moore reserves the right to postpone or cancel any recital at any point during the process if it is perceived that there is insufficient progress toward successful completion.

Iowa Percussion home                 Dan Moore home                   Return to Handbook Iowa_Percussion.htmlHome.htmlHandbook.htmlIowa_Percussion.htmlshapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1shapeimage_2_link_2