Piano Program

• Curriculum
• Requirements
• Calendar

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Curriculum

Beginning Piano

Beginning Piano Calendar

Beginning piano group classes provide a fundamental background in rhythm awareness, ear training, basic reading skills, and performance basics once a week. First, second, and third graders receive two semesters of weekly 30-minute private lessons and 45-minute group classes, which provide enjoyable and effective learning of keyboard and musicianship skills. Beginning piano is a two semester commitment. Students must be registered in Fall semester to enroll in Spring semester. Group classes are limited to eight students and are taught by the Preparatory Division faculty. University Piano Pedagogy students teach private lessons under supervision by piano pedagogy faculty. Private lessons are scheduled when Fall Semester begins. Group classes are offered at the following times:

Beginning Piano - Piano Safari Videos

Beginning Piano - Theory Exercises

Musicianship Class Placement

Musicianship class placement is based on the student's grade in school, playing level, theory level, and overall program enrollment. Students will remain in the Artist level classes until they have completed 6^th grade, moving to Academy classes at the beginning of the 7th grade. This means students will not necessarily move up a class level each year. The completion and passing of a student’s yearly evaluation ensures acceptance into the program for the following year, but does not correlate with class level placement

Theory Excercise Instructional Video

Artist I

Theory Exercises Artist I

Students study basic theory skills, which include major and minor triads, major and minor five-finger patterns, half steps and whole steps, basic notation, time signatures, and accidentals. Listening skills include dynamic and tempo changes, major and minor patterns, and interval recognition. Students are required to perform in Musicianship class four times a year.

Artist II

Theory Exercises Artist II

Students study the introduction of major and minor scales, key signatures, primary triads, and inversions. Students also learn more complex rhythm patterns: triplets, dotted quarter, and 6/8 time signatures. Listening skill development includes recognizing dynamic and tempo changes, major and minor scales, chords and inversions. Students are required to perform in Musicianship class four times per year.

Artist III

Theory Exercises Artist III

Students learn the order of sharps and flats, major and minor key signatures, three types of minor, how to draw the primary triads, inversions and diminished and augmented chords. Listening skills include identifying major, minor, augmented, and diminished chords, intervals, and rhythm dictation. Students are required to perform in Musicianship class four times per year.

Artist IV

Theory Exercises Artist IV

Students review all key signatures and major, minor, augmented, and diminished chords. Listening skill development includes identifying major, minor, augmented, and diminished chords, intervals, and rhythm dictation. Students are required to perform in Musicianship class four times per year.

Artist V

Theory Exercises Artist V

Students will continue to review all key signatures and major, minor, augmented, and diminished chords. They also learn figured bass for triads, V7 chords, and their inversions. Listening skill development includes identifying major, minor, augmented, and diminished chords, intervals, and melodic and rhythmic dictation. Students are required to perform in Musicianship class four times per year.

Academy I

Theory Exercises Academy I

Students study major and minor scales, three forms of minor, all triads, primary triads in all keys, V7 chords, and cadences. Listening skill development includes identifying all intervals, rhythms, major and minor melodies, all triads, V7 chords, and cadences. Students are required to perform in Musicianship class four times per year.

Academy II

Theory Exercises Academy II

Students study major and minor scales, major and minor key signatures, circle of 5ths, intervals, chords and triads of the scale, primary triads, cadences, V7, and chord progressions. Listening skill development includes rhythm, identifying the different forms of minor, cadences, and triads. Students are required to perform in Musicianship class four times per year.

Academy III

Theory Exercises Academy III

Students use their theory knowledge to compose, improvise, and analyze chordal structures. Students are required to perform in Musicianship class four times per year.

Academy IV

Theory Exercises Academy IV

Students build upon the fundamental skills learned in Academy III at a more advanced level. Students are required to perform in Musicianship class four times per year.

Bravo Reward Program

The Bravo program rewards students for participating in Preparatory Division activities. Students earn points for attendance, performances, theory, and technique. Trophies are awarded annually for those who meet the required goals.

Adult Piano for Pleasure

Two semesters of weekly one-hour group classes in a digital keyboard lab for enjoyable and effective learning of keyboard and musicianship skills. If you have always wanted to play the piano, this two-semester class offers a supportive group in a non-threatening atmosphere. Fall semester: no prerequisite required. Spring semester prerequisite: Semester 1 Adult Piano or 6 months of previous piano study. Class is offered on Thursday 6:15 pm.

 

Requirements

Musicianship Class

Attendance at monthly musicianship class is required. These classes are designed to help the student develop performing skills as well as study music theory, sight-reading, rhythm, and aural awareness. Students are placed in class according to age and ability. There is no makeup for missed classes.

Summer Piano Lessons

The summer session includes 10 private lessons. Students are required to register for a minimum of five lessons during Summer Semester.

Studio Performance Classes

Studio performance classes provide the opportunity for students to perform for other members of their teacher’s studio. Each studio will have a minimum of one class per semester.

Student Recitals

Semi-annual recitals offer the opportunity for students to demonstrate their progress to family and friends and help students develop self-confidence and musical mastery.

Evaluations

Evaluation day takes place during spring semester and is required of all students until ninth grade . Students play two memorized pieces and prepare technique requirements for their current level. Students who do not complete the requirements will be asked to seek instruction elsewhere.

Practice

Successful, satisfying music study is dependent upon consistent, daily practice. Practice time of 30 to 45 minutes per day is required for second year piano students, increasing to one and a half hours to two hours daily for seventh through high school students. Young students need parental supervision of all practice periods and require a practice setting free from distractions.

Equipment

Students need a piano in the home, kept in tune and good repair, and a metronome for use in daily practice. Materials are provided for beginning piano, after which the student will be required to purchase or reimburse the teacher for all music.

Cancellation

When the teacher has received a 24-hour cancellation notice, one private lesson per semester will be made up at teacher’s convenience.

2022-2023 Calendar

*schedule change
**no private lessons or classes

Contact Us:

801-581-7811

Fine Arts West, Building 170 (274 South University Street)

Email: prepdiv@music.utah.edu

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