Helping Peers: Mock Juries

One great way to build community among the musicians at your school, or in your major is to host some mock juries! At my school, we have a jury every semester, and for the first year students, it can be daunting. I know I was terrified my first jury! Mock juries, or peer juries, allow students to gain experience and feedback on performance and scalar knowledge. It is especially good for first year students because they are often nervous for their level changes, which scales they will have to play, and of course performing.

How to organize mock juries!

1. Touch base with those who you want involved!

Reach out! I reach out to first year students, especially if they have expressed nerves over their juries.

2. Find a space

It doesn't have to be fancy, preferably the space where all juries take place, like a recital hall, but a band room, or classroom will do just fine for these informal performances.

3. Organize a date

Find out the availability of everyone involved, and workout the best date and time for them, so you can maximize the amount of people involved.

4. Gather an upperclassman to represent each family of instruments involved

Have a brass, woodwinds, percussion, piano, and vocal representative there for those students to give the most honest and constructive feedback. It is very difficult for a tubist to give feedback on a saxophonist!

5. Create some appropriate feedback sheets!

Since we are all peers, not teacher vs. student, create some sheets (or download them from my page) that do not reflect score, but rather commentary on specific areas of musicianship.

6. Get it done!

Set up, maybe bring some food, and enjoy an evening of improvement!

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