College of Fine Arts to Implement Sophomore Review for Music Students

A new strategy will be implemented for students pursuing a career in music starting next school year. The College of Fine Arts is in the process of starting a sophomore review, leaving students to perform in front of a panel of faculty to gain feedback on how they are doing in their studies so far. 

While most Fine Arts programs have auditions to get into the program, USD allows any student to take on a career in music. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the faculty in the school started to develop an idea for a sophomore review, which is now finally being put into action. The current freshman class will be a pilot for the review with only students pursuing a degree in musical performance and education. This trial run will help determine alterations needed in order to add in the musical tech and art degrees. 

“This gives the students the chance to demonstrate to the faculty that they are making progress towards the degree,” Chair of the Music Department and Director of Choral Activities Dr. David Holdhusen said. “This gives the chance for the faculty to do a more formal review of the students and to make sure they are progressing as they exit the university.” 

Additionally, Holdhusen added that this will bring confidence to the students, as well as the faculty, that they have the skills and drive to become a professional musician. 

In previous years, senior students will have a final performance in front of a jury before their public performance. Holdhusen hopes that by doing more performances, students can feel more comfortable in their performance skills and excel in the years they have left in the program. 

“The basic review consists of the performance in front of the jury, a self assessment of themselves and writing a statement of purpose that lets them tell us what their future plans are,” Holdhusen said. “This will help us make sure that they are studying in the direction that is congruent with what they want to pursue.”

The idea was presented to the students during the first recital lab held in Jan. this year. 

To help lead students through the expectation and requirements of the sophomore review, Dr. David Sanderson created an internal website for Fine Arts students. Sanderson is a professor for music education and technology courses. 

“Part of the reason is setting it up so students have to pass a performance threshold or a general check before going into the upper divisional courses,” Sanderson said.

Sanderson emphasized that most institutions have similar programs that involve a sophomore review, which leaves USD to be an anomaly. 

“Most of the faculty went through this in our own programs, so the fact that we don’t have one brought us wanting to implement a sophomore review,” Sanderson said. “This will also help us on the accreditation side.” 

Holdhusen, along with faculty, want to ensure that they are not sending students out into the world with degrees without the skills and fortitude to take that path forward. 

The sophomore review will be put into effect the year following the trial run.