All undergraduate vocal performance majors and voice concentrations must pass the Upper Divisional Exam (UDE), typically at the end of their fourth semester of study at the major or concentration level. Students follow the guidelines for the 4th semester/1503 jury in terms of repertoire and other rules. Students may not postpone the UDE to a later semester. 

After passing the UDE, vocal performance majors and voice concentrations advance to the 3000 level of applied voice lessons.  For BA in Music - voice concentration students, the UDE is the final exam for their applied voice study, and they do not continue enrolling in voice lessons.*   

For approval, MUAM students must receive a score of 20 points or higher (out of a possible 23 points) with no score of 2 or lower in any category. Choral music education students must receive a score of 18 points or higher with no score of 2 or lower in any category, and Music Composition or BA in Music students must receive a score of 17 points or higher with no score of 2 or lower in any category.  The student must receive a simple majority of approval votes from the juror panel (including the studio teacher) to pass the examination.  The studio teacher's vote will count as part of the approval process, but the studio teacher's score will not factor into the jury grade. 

If a student fails to pass the UDE, it may be attempted again after an appropriate period of additional study as recommended by the voice faculty.  Students who do not pass the exam on the second attempt are disqualified from the major or concentration.

In order to have a successful exam the student must show clear evidence of progress toward very good to excellent musical preparation and memorization with few, if any missteps: correct rhythms, pitches, text, diction, and musicality. They must demonstrate that they are developing the ability to sing in tune and with an appropriate use of a natural vibrato. There must be clear and regular evidence that the student is aware of and striving for the timbre appropriate for bel canto singing: chiaroscuro. There must also be clear evidence that the singer is developing their individual expressiveness as a musician, and are aware that singing requires a desire to communicate the meaning of the words being sung and can do so regularly.

*BA in Music students do not have a final repertoire requirement.