The Piano Pedagogy and Accompanying Degree allows the student piano major to focus on developing skills for teaching (pedagogy), accompanying, and performing in chamber ensembles of mixed instrumentation (collaboration).
Our Philosophy
The philosophy of our Piano Pedagogy and Accompanying Program is to provide an environment in which students can take responsibility for their own musicianship. You will have plenty of opportunities to develop your solo playing skills, but the focus of this degree program is to develop your skills in pedagogy and accompanying. We mentor students and give guidance while holding them accountable for understanding the proper work ethic needed for optimum success. Successful completion of this degree will lead to career opportunities as private teachers and accompanists, and to entrance into graduate school.
Program Overview
Students study a core music curriculum that includes music theory, music history, piano literature, piano pedagogy and private lessons. The Piano Pedagogy and Accompanying Program has seven goals for its degree program:
Students should be prepared for a career in music, graduate study or teacher certification in music.
Students should develop an understanding of music history and theory.
Students should develop the ability to perform in various genres.
Students should develop skills in pedagogy.
Students should develop skills in accompanying.
Students should develop skills in basic music technology, including basic digital manipulation and recording/editing techniques.
Students should develop an understanding of historical and theoretical aspects of performance and in turn seek answers to questions such as: Why do we do what we do? How does the music reflect and understanding of society and of ourselves?
Entrance Requirements
All piano majors will be accepted into the Piano Pedagogy and Accompanying Program upon successful completion of an interview with the program director and audition. These requirements are designed to allow the music department faculty members an opportunity to assess your musical skills and background so that we may better advise you as to the most suitable courses upon entry to the music department. Successful completion of the course requirements for the degree and consistent improvement of your musical and technical skills are necessary in order to maintain major status.
What courses will you take?
Block
Courses
Hours
Applied Piano (Private Lessons) -
16 credit hours
Applied Piano I
2
Applied Piano II
2
Piano Pedagogy Labs
Applied Piano III and IV require each student to enroll in a co-requisite Piano Pedagogy Lab that meets once a week for one hour.
Piano Pedagogy Labs are a survey of piano teaching procedures and beginning methods and materials, including observation of private and group instruction and supervised teaching, and seminars covering aspects of music technology as related to the teaching studio. Student teachers will be assigned a pupil to teach during the course of the semester.
Applied Piano III with Piano Pedagogy Lab
2
Applied Piano IV with Piano Pedagogy Lab
2
Piano Accompanying Labs
Applied Piano V, VI, VII and VIII require each student to enroll in a co-requisite Piano Accompanying Lab that meets once a week for one hour.
Piano Accompanying Labs allow the student to develop the requisite skill sets for a career in collaborative performance through first-hand experience in accompanying in a variety of formats and settings, including collaboration with solo instrumentalists, solo vocalists, chamber settings, orchestral or symphonic band keyboard work, and choral ensemble accompanying. The course will also include the study of vocal diction, orchestral score reduction, and SATB choral score reduction.
Applied Piano V with Piano Accompanying Lab
2
Applied Piano VI with Piano Accompanying Lab
2
Applied Piano VII with Piano Accompanying Lab
2
Applied Piano VIII with Piano Accompanying Lab
2
Piano Ensemble -
4 credit hours
Students in the Piano Pedagogy and Accompanying Program are required to participate in four semesters of Piano Ensemble at the 300 and 400 level.
4
Piano Pedagogy and Accompanying Related Courses
- 4 credit hours
Piano Literature I
A survey of piano literature from the Baroque and Classical periods. Analysis of forms, genres, style and primary composers are studied, and history of non-organ keyboard instruments included.
2
Piano Literature II
A continuation of MUSC 3xx, Piano Literature I, concentrating on piano literature from the Romantic and Contemporary periods. Analysis of forms, genres, style and primary composers are studied, and history of non-organ keyboard instruments included.
2
Music Theory Courses
- 15 credit hours
MUSC 101: Music Theory I
3
MUSC 102: Music Theory II
3
MUSC 105: Aural Skills I
1
MUSC 201: Music Theory III
3
MUSC 202: Music Theory IV
3
MUSC 205: Aural Skills II
1
MUSC 206: Aural Skills III
1
Music History Courses
- 9 credit hours
MUSC 211Music History I
3
MUSC 231 Music History II
3
MUSC 311: Music History III
3
Additional Music Courses
- 3 credit hours
MUSC 110: Introduction to the Study of Music
2
MUSC 410: Senior Recital/Project
1
Other Music Requirements
All students must pass a sophomore proficiency examination, taken upon completion of the fourth semester of study in the applied major, in order to retain their major status.
All students must pass a piano proficiency examination to fulfill the keyboard skill requirement for degree conferral.
Students are highly encouraged to take at least one semester of a foreign language.
Students are highly encouraged to take at least two semesters of Music Technology.
Study Abroad
Participation in a study abroad program is strongly recommended.
Students who study in the KIIS Salzburg Program fulfill the University IDC. 301 requirement and an additional course in the Jazz Studies major. Other courses may also be fulfilled depending upon course offerings in Salzburg.
