Curriculum
Beginning Piano
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:
| Schedule | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 4:00-4:45 PM | 5:00-5:45 PM |
| Wednesday | 4:00-4:45 PM | 5:00-5:45 PM |
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 6th 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
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
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
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
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
Students wil 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
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
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
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
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 Wednesday 6:00 pm.
| Wednesday | 6:00 pm | Room 250 |
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.
| Schedule | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Artist I | 4:30-5:30 PM | Second Monday | Third Monday if holiday is scheduled |
| Artist II | 5:30-6:30 PM | Second Monday | Third Monday if holiday is scheduled |
| Artist III, IV, & V | 4:30-5:30 or 5:30-6:30 PM |
First Monday | Third Monday if holiday is scheduled |
| Academy I & II | 4:30-5:30 PM | Fourth Monday | |
| Academy III & IV | 5:30-6:30 PM | Fourth Monday | |
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.
2017-18 Calendar
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 15 | Summer Session begins |
| June 3 | Summer Tuition Due |
| August 1 | Fall Semester Tuition Due |
| August 21 | Fall semester begins |
| August 28 | Academy Musicianship Classes |
| September 4 | Labor Day Holiday** |
| September 11 | Artist I & II Musicianship Classes |
| *September 18 | Artist III, IV, & V Musicianship Classes (*3rd Monday due to Holiday) |
| September 25 | Academy Musicianship Classes |
| October 2 | Artist III, IV, & V Musicianship Classes |
| October 8-15 | Fall Break** |
| October 14 | Musical Madness Ensemble Recital |
| *October 16 |
Artist I & II Musicianship Classes (*3rd Monday due to Fall Break) |
| October 23 | Academy Musicianship Class |
| November 6 | Artist III, IV, & V Musicianship Classes |
| November 13 | Artist I & II Musicianship Classes |
| November 23-24 | Thanksgiving Holiday |
| November 27 | Academy Musicianship Class |
| December 4 | Artist III, IV, & V Musicianship Classes |
| December 11 | Artist I & II Musicianship Classes |
| December 16-Jan 7 | Winter Break** |
| January 1 | Spring Semester Tuition Due |
| January 8 | Spring semester begins |
| January 8 | Artist I & II Musicianship Classes |
| January 15 | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday** |
| January 22 | Academy Musicianship Classes |
| February 5 | Artist III, IV, & V Musicianship Classes |
| February 12 | Artist I & II Musicianship Classes |
| February 19 | Presidents’ Day Holiday |
| February 26 | Academy Musicianship Classes |
| March 3 | Spring Recitals |
| March 5 | Artist III, IV, & V Musicianship Classes |
| March 12 | Artist I & II Musicianship Classes |
| March 18-25 | Spring Break** |
| March 26 | Academy Musicianship Classes |
| April 2 | Artist III, IV, & V Musicianship Classes |
| April 9 | Artist I & II Musicianship Classes |
| April 14 | Piano Auditions |
| April 23 | Academy Musicianship Classes |
| April 27 | Beginning Piano Recital |
| April 30 | Artist III, IV, & V Musicianship Classes |
*schedule change
**no private lessons or classes
