How to organise a demonstration of proficiency

The demonstration of proficiency may include, for example, a thesis concert or a recording, public recording, performance, event, liturgy, composition or score. 

Applying for a concert

• Scheduling: Apply for a concert through the Taito channel at least 6 months before the planned concert date (taken into account a possible 2-month summer break). When planning the dates, please note that concerts at the Sibelius Academy premises are generally held in August–October and January–March. It is a good idea to include a few alternative concert dates on your application. Make sure that the assessment committee members will be able to attend the event on the day you plan.
• Facilities: You can check the booking status of the desired venues in the Peppi system. As a rule, the concerts are held in Sibelius Academy facilities, in the metropolitan region or, in special cases, elsewhere (agree on this well in advance – about a year -with your doctoral school).  
• Repertoire information and cost estimate Prepare and attach the repertoire information of your concert and include a short presentation text with the application. Also include a cost estimate of any expenses (instrument transport, accompanist fees, venue fees) as well as grants or other sources of funding.
• Technical equipment and stage requirements: Please describe the technical and other requirements for your event as precisely as possible in your application. This includes, for example, sound systems, lighting design, projectors, your own props, etc.
• See also Sibelius Academy’s support for the artistic components of doctoral degrees

Preliminary examination and registration

• Contact the pre-examiner: agree on the preliminary examination well in advance and provide the pre-examiner with a document stating your objectives and a pre-filled registration form (request one from the support services.
• Registration: Send the concert registration form approved by the pre-examiner to the address siba.docedu@uniarts.fi and the concert producer no later than 6 weeks before the concert. Remember – the preliminary examination must be approved before this. The Tutti team assembles an assessment committee based on the registration.  

Preparation

• Hall rehearsals: You are entitled to use the hall for a rehearsal on the day of the concert. If necessary, discuss any additional needs with your concert producer.  
• Rehearsal opportunities: You are entitled to book classrooms for rehearsals six weeks before the examination concert. Note: Extensive booking rights must be requested separately by email from facility booking at siba.tilavaraus@uniarts.fi. Normal booking rights are max. 13 hours a week, 4 weeks in advance.  

Programme text and sheet music

• Review: Submit your programme text to the thesis supervisor for review no later than 6 weeks before the concert.  
• Sheet music: Send copies of the sheet music by email to the committee members, especially if the repertoire contains rare compositions. 
• Programme booklet: The doctoral researcher is responsible for creating and printing or publishing the programme booklets for the artistic components of the degree. Take a look at the general programme booklet guidelines of the Sibelius Academy

After the concert

• Feedback discussion: Take part in the feedback discussion – this must be held within two weeks of the concert.  
• Assessment statement: The Sibelius Academy Board of Directors appoints an assessment committee composed of at least three members, with one of these members serving as committee chair. Students have the opportunity to comment on the composition of the assessment committee before it is appointed. After each artistic component, each committee member shall issue a brief written statement to the chair within a week. The chair fills out the bottom part of the registration form/minutes and submits the form to the Tutti team within two weeks of the concert.  

Recordings

• A high-quality recording can replace one of the artistic examination concerts. Typically, recordings are published on a commercial label or the SibaRecords label. You are responsible for producing the recording yourself. If you use the recordings as part of your artistic degree, submit them to the pre-examiner for assessment.  
• The doctoral concerts are stored in the recording archive of the doctoral school.  At the Sibelius Academy, AV support or production services is responsible for recording the concert; if the concert is held elsewhere, please contact siba.docedu@uniarts.fi