Student Degree Recital Guide

Junior, Senior, and Graduate Degree Recitals are an important milestone in every musician’s academic journey. This guide outlines the scheduling process, services provided, technical expectations, and venue policies for degree-seeking students.

Questions? Contact Music@nau.edu or Auditoria@nau.edu

Step 1: Coordinate With Your Professor Accordion Closed

Before requesting a recital date, students should discuss their recital plans with:

  • Their Studio Professor
  • The Kitt School of Music Office
  • Your Accompanist and any other performers

They will help you determine:

  • Recital eligibility
  • Desired semester and timeframe
  • Accompanist coordination
  • Any special performance or technical needs

Students should not independently select recital dates without first consulting their studio professor.

Step 2: Review Available Dates Accordion Closed

Degree recital dates are coordinated jointly by the Kitt School of Music and Auditoria. You can review current bookings with Auditoria, but please be warned that it is not live-updated.

Booking Recital Dates & Times

The Kitt School of Music Administration (Music@nau.edu) works with faculty and students to assign recital dates and times. Make sure that you coordinate with your other performers regarding recital date and dress rehearsal.

Typical Degree Recital Structure
Junior Recitals
  • 30-minute recital length for each performer; up to 70 minutes total recital time, including any intermission.
  • Junior recitals are generally paired with another Junior Recital sharing the same performance block.
  • Students receive up to 60 minutes of dress rehearsal time in Kitt Recital Hall, pending availability.
Senior & Graduate Performance Recitals
  • Up to 70 minutes total recital time, including any intermission.
  • Students receive up to 120 minutes of dress rehearsal time in Kitt Recital Hall, pending availability.
Graduate Conducting or Lecture-Recital Students
  • Additional rehearsal and performance scheduling considerations may be necessary (such as extra rehearsal time, instrumentation, or equipment).
  • Students should consult with their professor early in the planning process to discuss scheduling needs and venue availability.
    • Make sure your professor communicates with Auditoria once this information is determined.

Timing and pairing exceptions may be granted for special circumstances and Percussion studio students.

Step 3: Plan Your Recital Accordion Closed

Most student recitals fall into one of two categories.

Standard Recitals

A standard recital generally includes:

  • Grand piano
  • Chair and/or Music stand (optional)
  • Small pedestal or stool for flowers, water, or mutes (optional)
  • Standard recital lighting
  • Archival-quality audio recording
  • Basic recital livestream with Video on Demand (VOD)

Standard recitals are intended for solo or accompanied performances with minimal technical requirements.

Non-Standard Recitals

Additional planning may be required for recitals involving:

  • Additional instruments (i.e. harpsichord)
  • Unique staging requirements (i.e. duo piano or small ensembles)
  • Microphones, Amplification, Onstage monitors, and/or Audio playback
  • Enhanced recording requests
  • Specialty lighting or Projections
  • Staging changes*

Students are responsible for communicating non-standard recital technical needs well in advance of their recital. Non-standard requests may require additional approval from both Auditoria and the Kitt School of Music and may be subject to additional fees. Not all requests can be accommodated, especially those submitted at the last minute. Students should work intentionally with their studio professor to identify and communicate technical needs as early as possible.

If you are unsure whether your recital qualifies as non-standard, please contact Auditoria before your recital.

*To reduce unnecessary piano tuning and venue transitions, students are encouraged to keep the grand piano on stage whenever possible unless the recital program requires otherwise.

Step 4: Submit a Recital Request Form Accordion Closed

A completed Recital Request Form is required to be submitted to the Kitt School of Music at music@nau.edu before a recital can be booked.

The form requests information including:

  • Student name
  • NAU email address
  • Recital type (Junior, Senior, or Graduate)
  • Studio professor approval
  • Accompanist information and approval
  • Preferred recital dates and alternates
  • If you have any specialized performance needs

Students should work closely with their professor when completing the form.

Step 5: Communications Accordion Closed

Auditoria will reach out to confirm your date, time, and work with you to schedule a dress rehearsal. If your non-standard request has been approved, we may request additional details from you via a Student Recital Tech Form, which includes attaching a stage plot. If you need help communicating your recital setup, use our  Kitt Recital Hall Stage Layout Template.

Work with your Professor regarding Programs, Program Notes, and recital posters.

Livestream

Most degree recitals are livestreamed through Auditoria’s YouTube channel. Performance and streaming rights remain the responsibility of the performer. If a recital should not be livestreamed, Auditoria must be notified well in advance of the performance date so appropriate arrangements can be made. Students are welcome to share the livestream link with family and friends who cannot attend in-person.

Please review all recital policies below prior to your dress rehearsal and performance.

Student Recital Policies

Dress Rehearsals Accordion Open
Scheduling

Approximately 30 days before your recital, Auditoria will contact students and professors to schedule a dress rehearsal in the performance venue.

Dress rehearsal times are offered based on venue availability. Auditoria will make best efforts to accommodate rehearsal requests whenever possible; however, during busy recital periods, not all student, accompanist, and studio professor schedules can be accommodated.
Expectations

Students and faculty are expected to:

  • Arrive on time.
  • Use scheduled rehearsal time efficiently.
  • Follow all venue policies and house etiquette.
  • Protect venue equipment and furnishings.
  • Follow all piano handling procedures.
  • Leave the venue in the same or better condition than it was found.

Because multiple rehearsals and performances often occur in a single day, maintaining the schedule is important for both dress rehearsals and recital performances.

Day of Recital Accordion Closed

Student degree recitals operate on a carefully coordinated schedule. Arriving on time and adhering to published timings helps ensure a successful experience for all performers and allows multiple recitals to be supported throughout the day.

Recital Schedule
  • Performers should arrive 45 minutes before the scheduled performance time.
  • A 5-minute load-in and transition period is built into the beginning of each recital slot.
  • Up to 30 minutes of onstage warm-up and sound check time is available before the performance.
  • Warm-up and sound check activities must conclude on schedule so that house opening and audience seating can begin on time.
  • The house will typically open 10 minutes before the scheduled performance start time.
  • Performers should remain reachable during house opening if they are not backstage.
Performance Length
  • Degree recital slots are scheduled to accommodate both the performance and post-performance activities.
  • Recital reservations are allocated 75 minutes from the published performance start time until all activity in the hall has concluded.
  • Students should plan programs accordingly, including any intermission.
After the Performance

Many performers wish to take photographs and greet family and friends following their recital.

  • Post-performance photographs inside the hall must remain within the allotted recital time.
  • Extended celebrations, receptions, and meet-and-greet activities should be moved to the Atrium so staff can prepare the venue for subsequent rehearsals or performances.
Working With Your Stage Manager

Your Stage Manager (SM) serves as your primary point of contact on the day of the recital.

  • The SM will typically introduce themselves upon arrival and can usually be found at the production desk stage-right.
  • To help our team respond more efficiently and accurately, please communicate any changes, adjustments, or questions to the Stage Manager.

Students should:

  • Arrive prepared and on schedule.
  • Communicate directly with the Stage Manager regarding recital needs.
  • Follow venue procedures and staff instructions.
  • Respect published rehearsal, house-opening, performance, and venue turnover schedules.

Maintaining the recital schedule helps provide a positive experience for performers, guests, accompanists, faculty, and fellow students.

After Your Recital Accordion Closed

Congratulations!

Following your recital: