Admission to Upper Division Status is granted by the Music Faculty. The process includes a performance evaluation and oral interview in which the candidate’s applied and academic study is reviewed, and the candidate has the opportunity to speak directly with the Music Faculty. The process usually occurs at the end of the fourth semester of study as a Music Major. The candidate will give a performance on their major applied instrument before the full Music faculty.

1. Must have completed 56 semester hours at the beginning of the semester in which the student expects to be classified with Upper Division Status.

2.Must have earned an overall GPA of at least 2.50

3. Must have earned a Music Department GPA of at least 2.75, and no grade below C in any Music course.

Students should prepare a response to all of the following questions. The Music Faculty will decide which questions will be addressed with each candidate.

1. What are your career goals? What influences and/or experiences led to your choice of careers? What strengths do you possess that would contribute to the success of your chosen career? What areas do you need to work on in preparation for your chosen career?

2. What experience(s) since coming to Olivet have reinforced your desire to follow your career goals? Have there been any experiences that have caused you to question your career choice?

3. (Particularly Music Ed and Church Music) Do you enjoy being in a leadership role in front of a musical ensemble? Have you had the opportunity to be in a leadership role in front of a group of musicians? Was it an enjoyable experience? Do you anticipate that this would be an experience that you will enjoy?

4. In thinking about the following areas, would you describe yourself as advanced, on track, or in need of improvement: General understanding of Music Notation (rhythms, clefs, key signatures), Music Theory, Piano skills, etc?

5. In your applied area, would you describe yourself as advanced, at an appropriate level, or in need of improvement? Why would you describe yourself this way?

6. The Music Faculty will select a piece(s) from the performed literature. You should be prepared to respond to questions such as: What is the Key Signature? What is the modality? What do you know about the form of this piece? (any other information that would demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical aspect of music). What information can you share concerning the composer and the general place in history when the selection was composed?

7. Can you name a piece of music you have heard and/or studied while here at Olivet that greatly appealed to you, connected with you as a musician and a person, one that challenged and stretched your level of musicianship? Describe what there is about that music, the person who wrote it, the style, the medium, or some circumstance related to its performance that brought this about.

8.  What differences do you anticipate in a Music profession compared to a typical “9 to 5” job?

All students are required to complete the following an bring them to the hearing:

1. A list of performances you have participate in at Olivet: (ensembles, student recitals, auditions such as Messiah, Commencement Concert, Hale/Wilder, Nielson/Young, assisted on Junior or Senior recital, Choral Union, Music Drama productions, etc).

2. A copy of your transcripts.

3. Completed Application Form