Once the Academic Council has granted permission for a public examination of the doctorate, the student organizes the public examination/defence event. The proceedings of the event are described below.
Below is a list of things to remember when organizing the event:
The coffee service and post-doctoral party (“karonkka” in Finnish) after the public defence event are private, informal events. The candidate may present an invitation to the coffee service before exiting the hall. Coffee service (for e.g. c. 60 people) may be ordered from e.g. the café of the building where the examination event is held. The Faculty of Classical Music will pay for the service up to 500 euros.
The public is notified of an examination event or a public defence via the various communication channels of the Sibelius Academy. Information is published e.g. in the event calendar on the University of the Arts Helsinki website, in the electronic information system of the Sibelius Academy, and to the media. Distribution may be extended depending on the doctoral candidate’s needs and the subject of the degree.
In terms of communication, it is important to always be active well in advance: you should always reserve time for proofreading and comments when preparing e.g. a poster and a programme flyer. Ideally, all material should be sent electronically to Communications no later than three weeks prior to the examination event. Communications and the supervisor in charge go through the material with the doctoral candidate before its publication.
Below is a list of the required extensive materials that should be electronically submitted to the Communications of the Sibelius Academy (cf. link to the form):
The communication instructions for a doctoral dissertation can be found in Artsi by clicking on the link.
The Sibelius Academy communications team is responsible for the layout and printing of the programme leaflets of doctoral public examinations. The printing is paid for by the doctoral schools.
The Sibelius Academy communications team
The doctoral candidate
Communications office Karoliina Pirkkanen, Senior Advisers Sirpa Järvelä and Hannut Tolvanen, Deputy director of DocMus, Coordinator of advanced Study Markus Kuikka.
The proceedings have been approved at the meeting of the Sibelius Academy's Academic Council on 3rd May 2016.
1. The dress code is agreed upon by the Candidate, the Artistic Committee and the Chair. Typically, the dress code is academic dress, which for men consists of a tailcoat, a black waistcoat and a white bowtie. Formal evening dress includes black socks and shoes (not patent leather), but no pocket handkerchief. Women wear a black dress or a two-piece suit (no floor-length hems or too-deep necklines). Hats or prominent jewellery are not to be worn. Acceptable examination apparel may also include a dark suit, clerical dress, military uniform, or a national costume. Doctoral degree-holders should carry their doctor’s hat in their left hand.
2. Participants in the examination should arrive at the occasion in the following order: the Doctoral Candidate, followed by the Chair, the Artistic Committee, and finally the Thesis Examiner(s).
3. Next, the Chair opens the examination by declaring, “As the Chair appointed by the Sibelius Academy’s Academic Council, I hereby declare the Public Examination of N. N.’s Demonstration of Proficiency open.” The Chair, the Artistic Committee, the Thesis Examiner(s) and the public sit down; the Candidate remains standing. The Chair briefly introduces the doctoral project, the Candidate, the Artistic Committee and the Thesis Examiner(s) and the general outline of the occasion.
4. The Candidate gives (while still standing) his/her lectio praecursoria, consisting of a musical performance and a lecture. The musical performance incorporates music included in the artistic project or closely related to it. The lecture introduces the artistic project and the thesis. The lecture begins with the words: “Honoured Chair, honoured Artistic Committee, honoured Thesis Examiner(s), ladies and gentlemen”. The musical performance and the lecture should last a maximum of sixty minutes.
5. After the introduction is finished, the Candidate says, “I hereby call upon you, honoured Artistic Committee, as the examiners appointed by the Sibelius Academy's Academic Council, to evaluate my artistic project and to present the critical comments you deem it deserves.”
6. The Chair of the Artistic Committee gives a statement on the artistic project, after which the Chair asks the Thesis Examiner(s) to give his/her/their statement(s) on the Candidate’s thesis. If there are two Thesis Examiners, they may write a joint statement or decide in advance which one will present his/her statement. Statements are given standing; the Candidate also stands while listening to the statements. After the statements, the Candidate is allowed to answer any comments presented.
7. After the Doctoral Candidate’s comments, both the Artistic Committee members and the Thesis Examiner(s) can pose questions to the Candidate and discuss the artistic project and the thesis. The discussion is presided over by the Chair. The discussion may take a maximum of two hours.
8. The Thesis Examiner, or if there are two Thesis Examiners, one of them, will make a final statement (standing): “On the grounds of the thesis and the discussion heard today, I/we propose that the thesis is/is not accepted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Music.”
9. The Chair of the Artistic Committee will make a final statement (standing): “On the grounds of the statements and the discussion heard today, the Artistic Committee proposes that the Demonstration of Proficiency is/is not accepted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Music.”
10. The Candidate (standing) thanks the Artistic Committee and the Thesis Examiner(s), then turns to the audience and says, “After this, I recommend that those esteemed persons present who might have critical comments on my artistic project or thesis ask the Chair for the floor.” The Chair presides over the discussion and selects speaking turns so that the Candidate is allowed to answer each comment without delay; the Chair also monitors the discussion to ensure that the comments stay on topic.
11. The examination, which may take a maximum of four hours, is then closed by the Chair, who stands to do so. The Chair prepares a description of the examination event for the Academic Council.
The proceedings have been approved at the meeting of the Sibelius Academy's Academic Council on 3rd May 2016.
1. The dress code is agreed upon by the Candidate, the Artistic Committee and the Chair. Typically, the dress code is academic dress, which for men consists of a tailcoat, a black waistcoat and a white bowtie. Formal evening dress includes black socks and shoes (not patent leather), but no pocket handkerchief. Women wear a black dress or a two-piece suit (no floor-length hems or too-deep necklines). Hats or prominent jewellery are not to be worn. Acceptable examination apparel may also include a dark suit, clerical dress, military uniform, or a national costume. Doctoral degree-holders should carry their doctor’s hat in their left hand.
2. The occasion begins with an archaic fanfare performed by horns, other instruments or human voices. The public rises when the fanfare starts.
3. During the fanfare, the participants in the examination arrive at the occasion in procession. The first person to enter the hall is the Doctoral Candidate, followed by the Chair, the Artistic Committee, and finally the Thesis Examiner(s).
4. The Doctoral Candidate brings with him/her all recordings, scores, notes and other material related to the Artistic Demonstration as well as the Thesis.
5. After the fanfare ends, the Chair opens the examination by declaring, “As the Chair appointed by the Sibelius Academy’s Academic Council, I hereby declare the Public
Examination of N. N.'s Demonstration of Proficiency open.” The Chair, the Artistic Committee, the Thesis Examiner(s) and the public sit down; the Candidate remains
standing. The Chair briefly introduces the doctoral project, the Candidate, the Artistic Committee and the Thesis Examiner(s).
6. The Candidate gives his/her musical performance incorporating music included in the artistic project and lectio praecursoria, introducing the thesis. The lecture begins with the words “Honoured Chair, honoured Artistic Committee, honoured Thesis Examiner(s), ladies and gentlemen”. The musical performance and the lecture should last a maximum of sixty minutes.
7. After the introduction is finished, the Candidate says, “I hereby call upon you, honoured Artistic Committee, as the examiners appointed by the Sibelius Academy's Academic Council, to evaluate my artistic project and to present the critical comments you deem it deserves.”
8. The Chair of the Artistic Committee gives a statement on the artistic project, after which the Chair asks the Thesis Examiner(s) to give his/her/their statement(s) on the Candidate’s thesis. If there are two Thesis Examiners, they may write a joint statement or decide in advance which one will present his/her statement. Statements are given standing; the Candidate also stands while listening to the statements. After the statements, the Candidate is allowed to answer any comments presented.
9. After the Doctoral Candidate’s comments, both the Artistic Committee members and the Thesis Examiner(s) can pose questions to the Candidate and discuss the artistic project and the thesis. The discussion is presided over by the Chair. The discussion may take a maximum of two hours.
10. The Thesis Examiner, or if there are two Thesis Examiners, one of them, will make a final statement (standing): “On the grounds of the thesis and the discussion heard today, I/we propose that the thesis is/is not accepted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Music”.
11. The Chair of the Artistic Committee will make a final statement (standing): “On the grounds of the statements and the discussion heard today, the Artistic Committee proposes that the Demonstration of Proficiency is/is not accepted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Music”.
12. [The Candidate (standing) thanks the Artistic Committee and the Thesis Examiner(s), then turns to the audience and says, “After this, I recommend that those esteemed persons present who might have critical comments on my artistic project or thesis ask the Chair for
the floor.”
13. The Chair presides over the discussion and selects speaking turns so that the Candidate isallowed to answer each comment without delay; the Chair also monitors the discussion to ensure that the comments stay on topic.
14. The examination is closed by the Chair, who stands to do so.
15. The examination may take a maximum of four hours.
16. After the Chair has closed the examination, the archaic fanfare begins and the public rises.During the fanfare, the Doctoral candidate (taking with him/her all material related to the Artistic Demonstration and the Thesis), the Chair, the Artistic Committee, and the Thesis Examiner(s) walk out of the hall slowly and with dignity. When the fanfare ends, the official part of the examination is finished.
The proceedings have been approved at the meeting of the Sibelius Academy's Academic Council on 3rd May 2016.
1. The dress code is agreed upon by the Candidate, the Artistic Committee and the Chair. Typically, the dress code is academic dress, which for men consists of a tailcoat, a black waistcoat and a white bowtie. Formal evening dress includes black socks and shoes (not patent leather), but no pocket handkerchief. Women wear a black dress or a two-piece suit (no floor-length hems or too-deep necklines). Hats or prominent jewellery are not to be worn. Acceptable examination apparel may also include a dark suit, clerical dress, military uniform, or a national costume. Doctoral degree-holders should carry their doctor’s hat in their left hand.
2. Participants in the examination should arrive at the occasion in the following order: the Doctoral Candidate, followed by the Chair, and finally the Opponent(s).
3. Next, the Chair opens the examination by declaring, “As the Chair appointed by the Sibelius Academy’s Academic Council, I hereby declare the public defence of N. N.'s doctoral dissertation open.” The Chair and the Opponent(s) and the public sit down; the Candidate remains standing. The Chair briefly introduces the doctoral project, the Candidate, and the Opponent(s).
4. The Candidate gives (while still standing) his/her lectio praecursoria, which may take no more than 20 minutes. The lecture begins with the words “Honoured Chair, honoured Opponent(s), ladies and gentlemen”.
5. After the lectio praecursoria is finished, the Candidate says, “I hereby call upon you, honoured Opponent(s), as the examiners appointed by the Sibelius Academy's Academic Council, to evaluate my doctoral dissertation and to present the critical comments you
deem it deserves.”
6. The Opponent(s) give(s) a statement on the Candidate’s doctoral dissertation. The statement(s) is/are given standing; the Candidate also stands while listening to the
statement(s). After reading the statement(s), the Opponent(s) and the Candidate sit down.
7. The actual examination of the doctoral dissertation begins. First, the Opponent(s) focus(es) on general issues and methods, after which a detailed examination takes place. The Opponent(s) may use a maximum of four hours for the examination. The Chair can declare an intermission as necessitated by the length of the examination.
8. After the examination, the Opponent(s) and the Doctoral Candidate rise, and the Opponent(s) make a final statement: “On the grounds of the dissertation and the
discussion heard today, I propose that the doctoral dissertation is/is not accepted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Music”. The Candidate
(standing) thanks the Opponent(s).
9. The Doctoral Candidate then turns to the audience and says, “After this, I recommend that those esteemed persons present who might have critical comments on doctoral dissertation ask the Chair for the floor”.
10. The Chair presides over the discussion and selects speaking turns so that the Candidate is allowed to answer each comment without delay; the Chair also monitors the discussion to ensure that the comments stay on topic.
11. The examination, which may take a maximum of six hours, is then closed by the Chair, who stands to do so. The Chair prepares a description of the examination event for the Academic Council.
The proceedings have been approved at the meeting of the Sibelius Academy's Academic Council on 3rd May 2016.
1. The dress code is agreed upon by the Candidate, the Artistic Committee and the Chair. Typically, the dress code is academic dress, which for men consists of a tailcoat, a black waistcoat and a white bowtie. Formal evening dress includes black socks and shoes (not patent leather), but no pocket handkerchief. Women wear a black dress or a two-piece suit (no floor-length hems or too-deep necklines). Hats or prominent jewellery are not to be worn. Acceptable examination apparel may also include a dark suit, clerical dress, military uniform, or a national costume. Doctoral degree-holders should carry their doctor’s hat in their left hand.
2. Participants in the examination should arrive at the occasion in the following order: the Doctoral Candidate, followed by the Chair, and finally the Examiners.
3. Next, the Chair opens the examination by declaring, “As the Chair appointed by the Sibelius Academy’s Academic Council, I hereby declare the Public Examination of N. N.'s Demonstration of Proficiency open.” The Chair, the Examiners and the public sit down; the Candidate remains standing. The Chair briefly introduces the doctoral project, the Candidate, the Examiners, and the general outline of the occasion.
4. The Candidate gives (while still standing) his/her lectio praecursoria. The lectiofollows the instructions of the lectioin the arts and research study programme, and itis made up of a musical performance and/or a lecture according to the orientationof the development project. The lectioshould last a maximum of sixty minutes. The lectiobegins with the words “Honoured Chair, honoured Examiners, ladies and gentlemen”.
5. After the lectio praecursoriais finished, the Candidate says, “I hereby call upon you, honoured Examiners appointed by the Sibelius Academy's Academic Council, to evaluate my Demonstration of Proficiencyand to present the critical comments you deem it deserves.”
6. Each Examiner gives his/her statement on the general issues of the Demonstration of Proficiency. Statements are given standing, but each Examiner standsonly while giving his/her own statement; the Candidate stands while listening to the statements. After the last statement, the last Examiner and the Candidate sit down.
7. The actual examination of the Demonstration of Proficiencybegins. First, the Examiner(s) focus(es) on general issues and methods, after which a detailed examination takes place. Ifthere are more than two examiners,they,together with the Chair of the event, can determine in advance how the examination is to be conducted. The Examiner(s) may use a maximum of four hours for the examination.The Chair can declare an intermission as necessitated by the length of the examination.
8. After finishing the examination, the Examiner(s)and the Candidate rise, and the Examiner(s)make a final statement: “On the grounds of the statements heard, the materials examined and the discussion heard today, I/we propose that the Demonstration of Proficiencyis/is not accepted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Music.”The final statement can be formulated according to the contentand orientationof the Demonstration of Proficiency. The Candidate thanks the Examiner(s).
9. The Candidate then turns to the audience and says, “After this, I recommend that those esteemed persons present who might have critical comments on my Demonstration of Proficiencyask the Chair for the floor."
10. The Chair presides over the discussion and selects speaking turns so that the Candidate is allowed to answer each comment without delay; the Chair also monitors the discussion to ensure that the comments stay on topic.
11. The examination, which may take a maximum of six hours, is then closed by the Chair, who stands to do so. The Chair prepares a description of the examination event for the Academic Council.