The information below is important to consider when planning a degree recital. There are several procedures in place to ensure fair space assignments.
Recital Procedure Checklist
- Step One
- Read through the BU School of Music recital policy & guidelines on this page and subsequent pages. Download 2024-25 Policy on Student Recitals & Scheduling Events
- Schedule a time to meet with Brenn Parker to book your dress rehearsal and recital date, time, and location.
- You may only begin the scheduling process beginning on your degree priority date (below) and any time following, though we suggest scheduling as early as possible.
- Step Two
- Students have 15 business days after receiving confirmation to make any changes to date, time, location, etc.
- Step 3
- Turn in a Recital Production Sheet to Samantha Donato via email sdonato@bu.edu 2 weeks before dress rehearsal
- Submit a Program Request Form (below) 2 weeks before dress rehearsal
- Step 4
- Receiving academic credit:
- To gain academic credit for your recital (ensuring your recital is on your transcript), you must fill out the appropriate administrative form(s) and submit them to the Academic Coordinator’s Office (CFA 240). This must be done upon passing your recital permission. Your recital will not go on your academic transcript without submitting these proper forms to the Academic Coordinator’s Office.
- Said recital forms and specifications are on the SOM Forms & Resources Page.
Recital Program Request Form
Recital Limitations
No more than 15 student degree recitals will be scheduled for any given week, except for:
- Thanksgiving Week (Sunday, November 24 – Tuesday, November 26): no more than 5 Student Degree recitals. No events will be scheduled during Thanksgiving break (Wednesday, November 27 – Sunday, December 1)
- Period between fall and spring semesters (Monday, December 16 – Monday, January 20): none
- Spring break week (Saturday, March 8 – Sunday, March 16): none. Recitals scheduled for March 7 must conclude by 5pm.
- After Spring Break to Commencement (Monday, March 17): increase to 20 Student Degree recitals per week
Important: Degree recitals for students intending to graduate in May must be complete no later than the final day of classes (Thursday, May 1).
> Stage Support, Recordings, & Piano Usage
Priority Windows
These are priority windows. You may turn in the form at any time; however, we will only start booking the specific degree levels based on the list above. All recitals are booked on a first come, first served basis; first, within your priority window and as they are received once those windows have closed.
FALL 2024 BOOKINGS
Senior • Monday, September 16, 2024
DMA, Performance Diploma, and Artist Diploma • Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Masters • Friday, September 20, 2024
Junior • Tuesday, September 24, 2024
SPRING 2025 BOOKINGS
Senior • Monday, October 28, 2024
DMA, Performance Diploma, and Artist Diploma • Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Masters • Friday, November 1, 2024
Junior • Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Due to the high demand for recital slots in April and May, it is strongly recommended that all recital requests for 2024-25 be submitted prior to spring break (March 2025). The production department cannot guarantee space availability for requests made after spring break.
Students should immediately verify the availability of their studio professor, accompanist, and other recital participants once confirmation of their dress rehearsal and recital times is received.
Rescheduling
Dress rehearsal and recital dates/times may be changed for any reason within the first 15 business days after receiving a confirmation email by visiting the Scheduling Office. After that, students who need to reschedule their recital to another date within the same semester must submit a petition to the Director of Production and Performance explaining the reason(s) why the recital must be rescheduled. Rescheduling petitions must be submitted at least 5 business days prior to the scheduled recital, except in the case of emergency (as determined at the sole discretion of the Production Department). Students who need to reschedule their recital to a later semester may cancel their recital (see below). Students may not swap rehearsal or recital times with other students.
Please note that rescheduling petitions submitted within 5 business days of the scheduled recital (except in the case of emergency) or for the following reasons will not be considered:
- Lack of preparation
- Conflict with ensemble rehearsal, concert, or other obligation
- Unavailability of recital participants (accompanist, ensemble members, etc.)
- Outside gig or performance opportunity, including auditions
- Failed permission (see cancellations)
Students whose petitions are not considered or approved may cancel their recitals.
Important: It is the student’s responsibility to check the Ensembles Calendar to ensure that there are no ensemble obligations that conflict with recital and recital dress rehearsal dates. No requests to be excused from any part of a large ensemble rehearsal or performance because of a recital or recital dress rehearsal will be permitted. This policy extends to students participating in another student’s recital. It is your responsibility to make sure that everyone participating in your recital is available for both the recital dress rehearsal and recital. Students participating in a recital who are in orchestra should hold all performance dates until rosters are released. Additionally, ensemble obligations are not valid excuses for rescheduling recitals and recital dress rehearsals. Such conflicts will likely result in the cancellation of the recital. If you have any questions about recital scheduling and large ensembles, please be in contact with the Ensembles Manager (Katharine Hurd, B03, khurd@bu.edu).
> Ensembles Calendar
Recital Locations
Degree recitals at the School of Music may take place in the venues listed below only.

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Concert Hall
Events may start in the Concert Hall at 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 6:00pm, or 8:00pm.
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Marshall Room
Events may start in the Marshall Room at 2:30pm, 4:30pm, 6:30pm, or 8:30pm.
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Offsite Venues
Recitals scheduled at CFA in locations other than the Concert Hall or Marshall Room will not receive production support, including stage crew and program sheets.
For students considering recitals in an offsite venue, it is strongly recommended that students personally inspect any venue outside of CFA for suitability before booking recitals there. Particular attention should be paid to the piano to ensure that it is in a performance-ready condition. The production department does not provide any support to offsite recitals, including program sheets and piano tunings. Note that taking School of Music instruments or equipment offsite is prohibited.
Cancellations
Students may cancel their dress rehearsals and/or recitals by contacting the Scheduling Office at least 2 business days prior to the rehearsal/recital date. Canceled dress rehearsals will not be rescheduled. If a recital is canceled, it must either be rescheduled to a later semester or take place off campus. Off campus recitals do not receive production support. Students who fail their recital permissions must inform the production department in order to cancel their recitals.
Failure to Show
Students who do not show for their scheduled dress rehearsal may not receive production support, including stage crew, for their recital. Students who do not show for their scheduled recital may not receive production support, including stage crew and program books, for future recitals.
Junior Recitals
Juniors can choose from the following options for their recitals:
- A full recital booked through the scheduling office
- A half recital shared with another junior. Both students must book this recital together through the scheduling office.
- An outreach concert scheduled through Barbara Raney
- As part of a junior group recital evening (dates TBD). The Junior Voice group recital evening will be scheduled within the Voice Department.
Juniors may schedule full recitals in the Marshall Room for performances occurring before spring break only. Juniors may schedule half recitals in the Marshall Room for performances occurring before spring break or for any of the following Sundays at 11am and 12:30pm: March 23, 30; April 6, 13, 27.
The scheduling guidelines described in Degree Recitals also apply to junior recitals when they are booked through the Scheduling Office.