In ensemble performance, what does 'cut-offs' refer to?

• A. The tempo marking
• B. The dynamic marking
• C. The point at which singers stop a phrase
• D. The tuning peg

Answer: (C)

Cut-offs are about ending a phrase and stopping together. In an ensemble, you want every singer to release the last syllable and come to a synchronized rest so the group can breathe and be ready for the next entrance. The cut-off marks the exact moment to stop, coordinating the end of the musical idea across all parts. This is different from tempo markings (which tell you how fast to go) or dynamic markings (which tell you how loudly or softly to sing), and it isn’t related to any instrument hardware. So the cut-off is the moment the singers stop at the end of a phrase to keep the performance clean and aligned.