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General Information
Virtually all careers in music involve applied piano skills – whether as a studio teacher, composer, church musician, conductor, or educator. The ability to be proficient at the keyboard is an essential element of any musical endeavor.
Students in the Bachelor of Arts – Music Education degree are required to pass a piano proficiency exam prior to the Internship period; students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts – Music are strongly encouraged to develop functional piano skills prior to graduation. Below are guidelines and assessments to enable students to adequately prepare for either the piano proficiency exam, a student recital, or further piano studies.
Length and Number of Lessons
- Lessons are at least 50 minutes in length (for two semester credits) or 25 minutes in length (for one semester credit).
- There will be a maximum of fifteen lessons per semester.
- Any student having fewer than the equivalent of ten lessons will receive a failing grade in piano.
- Lessons missed by a teacher due to illness or other reasons will be made up. Student absences may be made up at the discretion of the private teacher; however, the teacher has the prerogative not to grant a make-up lesson due to student absence.
Although the Student Recital is not taken for specific credit, it is required of all applied piano or piano class students to attend all student recitals as a part of Applied Piano.
Student Recital
This class allows students to experience performing before a large group comprised of all vocal and instrumental studios. Students who perform in this class are asked to exhibit appropriate performance behavior and dress. Students in the audience are expected to be supportive and respectful, observing accepted concert etiquette. All piano students, regardless of degree or emphasis, are encouraged to perform. Depending upon the studio, students may be required to perform.
In order to perform during a Student Recital, the student should request a Student Recital Request Form. These forms may be obtained from the departmental bulletin board or the applied teacher. Once the form is completed and signed by the applied teacher, return all information to Dr. Richard Maltz. Please check the bulletin board for deadlines.
Attendance at these classes is required. In the event a student has an unavoidable conflict, the student should notify the teacher as early as possible. The student should not assume absences will be allowed with notification. All students are responsible to receive confirmation with their applied teacher prior to the date of the class. Any student who is absent may receive a lowering of the semester letter grade, or may be required to complete a project such as a paper, listening assignment, extra reading, or any task as assigned by the applied teacher.
Piano Juries
During the exam period at the end of each semester, all students enrolled in Applied Piano or keyboard classes are required to complete a Piano Jury. Students should prepare and perform selections from memory during juries. Students should complete a Jury Sheet and have the applied teacher sign before the end of the semester. This form is available from the teacher. All written comments and critiques will be returned at the beginning of the following semester. Piano Juries comprise 10% of the semester grade.
Piano Jury Requirements
Students should be prepared to demonstrate scales, chord progressions, arpeggios, and repertoire assigned during the semester. Two contrasting piano selections should be prepared, memorized, and performed for juries.
Piano Proficiency Exam
All music education majors must successfully complete a Piano Proficiency Exam prior to their Internship placement by the School of Education. The exam may be completed concurrently with piano juries.
Procedure
- Students wishing to complete the Piano Proficiency Exam should notify their classroom or applied instructor at the semester prior to the exam.
- Every student must complete a Repertoire List Form prior to the exam, which is available from the instructor. This form is a cumulative list of etudes and literature studied. It is the student’s responsibility to have the applied teacher sign the form and notify the music faculty of the intent to complete the exam.
- The exam is given one of the following grades by faculty vote:
- Pass: The student satisfactorily fulfilled the requirements of the exam.
- Conditional Pass: The student satisfied elements of the exam, but the faculty has concerns that are serious enough to merit a re-hearing at the next exam period. Any concerns or conditions of the re-hearing will be offered in writing and explained to the student by the applied teacher. If the concerns of the faculty are not addressed at the next hearing, the student may not proceed in the degree program until the current exam is adequately satisfied.
- Fail: The student must repeat the exam during the next exam period due to significant inadequacies in preparation. A second consecutive failure of the exam results in removal from the music education program until the student demonstrates significant improvement or re-auditions for the faculty.
- Students will be notified of the results by mail. Decisions of the faculty are final.
- A student may attempt the Piano Proficiency Exam twice.
Grievance Process
Should the student fail the exam a second time a grievance may be filed with the music faculty. The grievance should be submitted in writing and include a justification why the student believes the exam was adequately completed, or a proposed solution to meet the conditions of the exam. A faculty member will meet with the student and the applied teacher separately. Upon agreement of the faculty, the student will be permitted to re-take the exam at the next exam period.
Piano Proficiency Exam Requirements for Non-Music Education Majors
Students who are not majoring in music education do not need to complete the Piano Proficiency Exam.
Piano Proficiency Exam
Repertoire requirement
- Two contrasting compositions selected from the Baroque, Classic, Romantic, or Contemporary periods. These selections must be performed from memory.
Keyboard skills requirement
- Prepare all major and minor scales, two octaves, M.M.=90, hands together.
- Prepare all major and minor arpeggios, two octaves, M.M.=90, hands together.
- Prepare all major and minor chord progressions/cadential sequences (see Applied Piano Curriculum for more information).
- Harmonize at sight a melody with left hand accompaniment.
- Sight-read a simple hymn, folk song, accompaniment, or beginning piano piece.
- Sight-read at least two lines of an open score.
- With one week to prepare, perform a simple accompaniment to an art song or aria (Vocal/Choral emphasis only).
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