Symposium for Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Works

The Department of Music will present an Honors Recital featuring some of our most talented students. Students diligently prepared an audio recording of repertoire with their applied lesson instructor and submitted it to the department for consideration to perform. All recordings were anonymized before they were sent to the adjudicator to ensure complete impartiality. An outside adjudicator (non-McMurry-affiliated musician) was contracted to listen to all recordings and select the most outstanding 45 minutes of performances.

Students are allotted 12 minutes for their presentation, followed by a 3–5 minute question-and-answer session.

The room moderator will:

• Stand when 3 minutes remain

• Provide an alert when 1 minute remains

• Ensure the presentation concludes within the 12-minute limit

• Facilitate the Q&A period

Presenters should rehearse in advance to remain within the allotted time.

Students presenting an Honors Thesis receive extended time:

• 30 minutes for the presentation

• 5–10 minutes for question and discussion

The moderator will provide appropriate time cues and ensure the session concludes within the scheduled timeframe.

If using a digital presentation (e.g., PowerPoint):

• Bring your presentation on a USB flash drive

• Arrive at the presentation room 15 minutes before the session

• Provide your file to the room moderator for upload

• Present directly from the room’s computer system

Oral Presentation Template

To deliver a clear and compelling presentation:

• Keep slides clean, organized, and uncluttered

• Limit text; use concise phrases and bullet points

• Use visuals such as images, charts, or diagrams to reinforce key points

• Maintain a consistent font and color scheme

• Ensure font size is large enough for projection

• Structure slides with a clear introduction, logical progression, and conclusion

• Use slide notes to guide your speaking points

• Test your file on multiple devices to confirm compatibility

• Consider interactive elements (polls, handouts, brief audience prompts) when appropriate

• Use animations sparingly and purposefully

Careful preparation, effective time management, and thoughtful slide design will contribute to a successful presentation.

Student posters will be hung on poster rails along the classroom hallways. Students will be required to remain near their posters for the 2 hours to present their research to any individuals who approach.

Posters should be constructed using PowerPoint. You can download three different templates below, and you are free to use any of these as they are already set to the correct dimensions for printing on our large-format printer. All templates have a designated spot for a QR code. See instructions below for making a QR code. Note: Once you have submitted your poster for printing, it cannot be edited unless you incur the cost of printing a second copy.

Poster Template 1

Poster Template 2

Poster Template 3

Example

QR codes can be a valuable way to share additional materials beyond what fits on your poster. They may link to:

• Short elevator talks about your project
• Videos or audio files
• Extended citation lists

Step 1: Save Your File

• Upload the file you want to share (video, audio, document, etc.) to your OneDrive folder.

Step 2: Create a Shareable Link

1. In OneDrive, right-click on the file and select Share.

2. In the Share box, click the ribbon that says “People in McMurry University with the link can edit.”

3. In the Sharing Settings, select:

• Anyone (green option)
• Under More Settings, choose Can View
• Click Apply

4. Click Copy to copy the shareable link.

Step 3: Generate the QR Code

1. Open the provided QR code generator link.

2. In the box below the QR code, paste your OneDrive link (CTRL+V).

3. Click Create QR Code – the image will refresh.

4. Right-click the new QR code image and choose Save Image As.

5. Save the file as a PNG image to your preferred location.

Step 4: Add to Your Poster

• Insert the saved QR code into your PowerPoint poster template.
• Please place it in the designated box in the bottom-right corner.

Tip: Use the default QR code style (no need to modify the design). Each click generates a new code, but the link remains the same.

QR Code Generator

• Dress appropriately. You are representing your Department, your Institution, and yourself, so be professional!
• When developing your PowerPoint presentation, think the project through from start to finish and outline the “storyline” you wish to present. Fit your story to the poster in a logical layout.
• Don’t get cutesy with the title – this is a professional presentation!
• Confine content to the basics and your text to the most critical information.
• Do not distract with the composition or colors used.
• Be sure information and labels are clearly visible and with a font size that can be read from a distance of 4 ft.
• Your “take-home message” is in the form of a statement, not a question.
• When a guest comes to your poster, do not wait for them to ask you a question.
  • Begin by thanking them for coming, and then give your “elevator speech” (a 1-minute synopsis of the why, what, how, and takeaway meaning) for your project.
  • Know the story so that you do not have to refer to notes. Look the audience in the eye and relax.
  • Nobody else knows more about the project than you do. Relax and be the expert on the subject that you are!
• If someone asks a question about the project that you don’t know the answer to, this is an opening for the two of you to discuss and perhaps come up with their insight into your work that can help in future research and in answering other guests who stop by.
• If someone asks a question that is not covered by the project you are presenting, it is truthful and acceptable to respond with, “That is a good question, but it lies outside of the scope of this project”.

Start early. Practice, practice, practice

McMurry’s Playfest celebrates the work of McMurry students by producing original student-written plays. Original pieces are selected by Theatre professors and directed by student directors under the guidance of McMurry Professors. Each performance will be staged with minimal set, lighting, and costumes, and with the full support of the theatre department.

• Original work – not yet produced
• One-Act play – no longer than 45-60 minutes
• Name the playwright
• Name the director
• List cast size

Please note:
McMurry is both an American liberal arts and a Christian university; thus, in the McMurry Theatre Department, we do our best to steer between the poles of free artistic expression and Christian values. Anything you’ve seen, are seeing, or expect to see onstage is not endorsed by McMurry University. We hope you will continue to support our students and our department as we navigate the tumultuous, beautiful, and highly vulnerable waters of creative freedom and self-expression.

Students presenting film or animation projects may submit short films, animated works, or visual media performances. Presentations should highlight the creative process, storytelling approach, or technical methods used in the production. Students may screen their work and provide a brief explanation of the project’s concept, production techniques, and artistic goals for the audience.