Senior Recitals
Students may submit a proposal to give a capstone performance, composition, or lecture-performance recital in their senior year. Preference will be given for majors and minors and those students who have made a substantial contribution to the Boston College musical community.
Proposals to give a senior recital in 2026-27 are due Friday, October 9th 2026.
- Include a brief (100-200 word) description for why you want to give a recital and the goals / themes of your programming, i.e. repertoire selections.
- For music majors: any tie-ins between your programming and what you are working on in Senior Seminar or have studied in other academic music classes or through independent studies? If so, please explain.
- For music minors: any tie-ins between your programming and what you have studied in another academic music class or through independent studies? If so, please explain.
- Include a rough outline of your repertoire selections (this does not need to be finalized, but should give a good sense of what you plan to perform).
- Indicate the duration and type of recital.
- Music majors may elect to prepare either up to 45 minutes of music (solo recital) or up to 25 minutes of music (recital shared with another student).
- Music minors and non-major/minors who have made a substantial contribution to the BC musical community should plan up to 25 minutes of music (recital shared with another student). Music minors and non-major/minors who elect to petition for a full-length recital should provide an additional rationale, with arguments driven by repertoire / thematic programming considerations, and demonstration of exceptional musical engagement and achievement at Boston College.
- If planning a shared recital, include any requests for other students to collaborate with. Proposals that demonstrate planning and collaboration with other students will receive higher consideration.
- Indicate whether you intend to enroll in MUSA4600 Senior Recital Preparation (3 credits).
- All applications must include a brief description of your musical engagement during your time at Boston College (please list the campus ensembles you have participated in and when, and which semesters you have taken private lessons and with whom – on or off campus).
- Students must have a faculty member review and approve your plan BEFORE submitting the application. This teacher must commit to help you prepare through the process. If you don’t have a private teacher willing to take on this role, you may ask:
- For Voice Recitals: Professor Riikka Pietiläinen-Caffery
- For Instrumental Recitals: Professor Anna Wittstruck
- For Composition or Lecture-Performance Recitals: Professor Daniel Callahan (Director of Undergraduate Studies)
- Include the name of the faculty supervisor who has reviewed and approved your recital plan.
- Students will receive instructions from the Music Department for booking a recital date and securing a collaborative pianist.
- For music majors and music minors only, the Music Department will cover collaborative pianist fees for the recital and two rehearsals. The department will assign a collaborative pianist to the student’s recital.
- Non-major/minors should plan to secure their own collaborative pianist and pay their fees. The Department will provide a list of recommended pianists affiliated with the Department for students to contact.
- All senior recitals will be scheduled in March. Please plan accordingly.
Students will be notified about the status of their proposals approximately 2 weeks after the due date.