A minimum of two entrance exams are given to incoming music students to determine music skill and proficiency, and to assist in finalizing class registrations & emphasis choice. Please take note of the event information listed below.

• Music Theory Exam:  This exam determines music theory knowledge upon entering the School of Worship and placement in the music theory course levels.  A student with sufficient theory knowledge and application may test out of Mu 121 Intro to Music and Mu 122 Music Fundamentals with instructor approval.
• Keyboard Exam: This preliminary keyboard test covers foundational piano skills and determines if Mu 111 Keyboard 1 (group class), or a private piano lesson is taken the first semester.
• Vocal Proficiency Exam: If you desire to enter the Worship Leader you will have a short consultation with one of the voice instructors.  This is also recommended for students planning to ever add a private voice lessons to their course schedule.

Becoming proficient and excellent in anything takes discipline and commitment.  All students take private music lessons each semester to achieve and develop their vocal/instrumental abilities, based on their track of emphasis requirements.  A regular practice routine is part of a student’s experience, and studios & practice rooms are provided in different venues around the campus.

Here’s a snapshot of lesson requirements for each of the tracks.  Please refer to program worksheets (Associates / Bachelors) for course specifics.

All private lessons are administrated jointly through the School of Voice & Instruments (SVI) of City Bible Church.

Freshman & Sophomore Participation

• Department recitals are held towards the end of every semester.  These are an opportunity for music students to learn the preparation process for a solo or more technical musical performance, and help set goals for the private lesson experience.
• All music students are encouraged to participate in the department recital ever semester, and specific Music Jury levels may require a certain number of recitals as a parallel requirement for degree completion.
• The student works closely with their private lesson instructor to choose repertoire, prepare for the event, and learn recital etiquette at this level. 

Juniors & Senior Recital Preparation

• For the last two years you’ve grown and applied yourself spiritually, musically, and in many other areas of your life.  Now entering your junior or senior year, this will all continue to even a greater degree, and musically, you will now be preparing for your Junior & Senior recitals!
• The department recitals you’ve been part of during the last two years were important preparation in a small way for the planning and experience of your upper-level recitals.  You learned about choosing a repertoire piece with your private lesson instructor, how to practice and prepare that piece, as well as the actual presentation of it at the event.

This is a short guide to some of the basic things you’ll want to be aware of for your Junior and Senior recitals.

1. Your recital requirements may be determined by the juries and program that you are in.
2. In addition to taking private lessons, you will also take a class called “Recital Workshop” that helps you with the administration and planning it takes to make a recital happen.
3. Expectations: Junior recitals are generally 20 minutes or longer in length, Senior recitals 40 minutes or more.
4. A vocal recital will require several repertoire pieces to fill a program.  You’ll work with your lesson instructor in selecting these, but it’s always good no matter what instrument you play (including voice) to be thinking ahead of pieces you want to prepare and perform.
5. The purpose of a recital isn’t simply to give you something different to do.  Recitals are your chance to grow musically, and then celebrate that in a creative way.  Being creative makes it memorable for you and your audience!
6. Junior & Senior recitals are traditionally done in the spring.  If you think you’ll be prepared at another time in the school year, talk to your private lesson instructor or faculty advisor to see what your options are.  A lot of planning simply has to do with finding dates that don’t conflict with something else happening on our busy campus!
7. You’ll get more tips and helps in Recital Workshop but here’s a few:  a) Play your piece(s) for as many friends, family members, etc. you. b) Cost: there may be some cost involved with making a recital happen, for items like equipment, food, décor, etc.  c) Communicate with your accompanist if you have one, and make sure they can commit to the task ahead.  d) Enjoy the experience!

Always, always, you can ask your private lesson instructor or faculty advisor about any questions you have as you look ahead and think about your recital!

Along with private lesson requirements, students will complete skill requirements parallel to degree completion.  These music juries are specific graded benchmarks assessed by a panel of at least three (3) adjudicators, and require a 70% score in each category to receive a passing grade.

• Currently required for:  Piano & vocal students.
• Offered when:  in the final week or two of every semester.  
• How do I sign-up? Signups are posted the week prior to juries for you to reserve your time slot with the panel.  
• Is there a fee involved?  Participation in music juries is currently $20 US.
• What if I need to cancel?  You can change or remove your reserved time slot anytime prior to the sign-up deadline (generally the Friday prior to the juries date).  Jury fees are non-refundable as a result of canceling or missing your scheduled time after the deadline has passed (with execption of extreme illness or family emergencies of course).
• How do I prepare?  Your private lesson instructor will help ready you for upcoming juries.
• How do I obtain the jury requirements for my instrument and level?  Contact the PBC School of Worship office at any time, or speak to your private instructor.