What is a jury? A jury is a performance session scheduled for a student to play certain pieces that they have learned within the semester. Each department (piano, strings, voice, etc.) will have a different requirement to meet the jury test; please consult with your instructor on the specific material.

All students of the academy must perform at a jury at the end of each semester (not including the summer semester). The jury will replace a private lesson near the end of the semester. A written critique and evaluation will be given to each student providing the parent with insight on the student’s progress, strong/weak points, and overall musicianship. Each jury will consist of one or more instructors and often a director making up a panel to evaluate the student. A theory test will also be given at the end of the semester, regardless of the student’s participation in theory class.

Students exempt from juries are adult students, transfer/new students who are in their first semester of lessons, and any student given full consent by the instructor and a director to waive participation.

A jury should be viewed as a positive experience. The juries provide semester goals for both the student and instructor and allow the academy to monitor the progress of its student body. As with any testing situation, students perform at higher levels of aptitude when they practice consistently throughout the semester.

Juries are scheduled in 10-minute increments with a written theory test to follow. Students should generally allow for 30 minutes for the theory test. Sign-up sheets will be provided to schedule times and days at least two weeks before jury week. If a student cannot make a scheduled day/time, it will be necessary to speak to a director about the possibility of an alternate date/time.

A letter grade will be given for the performance jury and for the written theory test.