Piano Core Curriculum

The Private Lesson is individualized and tailored to the level, background, and needs of each student. It stresses a solid foundation in technical skills and covers a wide range of literature.  Private study includes studio classes which provide students an opportunity to perform for their peers in an informal setting. 

This course is an extension of private lessons. It addresses many of the same concepts, but in a group setting. It is designed to be flexible to meet the varying levels and needs of students.

Keyboard Skills is the partner class with Piano Literature that together make up the Piano Seminar for senior piano majors. The structure of this class is designed to supplement rigorous private study while providing practical resources for the college auditions, which are concurrent with the Spring Semester of this course.  In Keyboard Skills, students will build upon technical ability, score reading, improvisation, analysis, fingering, and ear training, and will gain practical tools assisting them in memorization and preparation for college auditions. The class will start out with an in-depth and intensive review of technical skills (scales, arpeggios, and more advanced concepts covered in various technique methodologies such as Hanon, Dohnanyi, and Pischna) and honing score reading ability.  The second semester will explore more practical strategies that address how to effectively practice, learn music, memorize, and mentally prepare for performance.

Piano Literature is a required class for senior piano majors. The class meets twice per week. Topics include how significant works in the keyboard repertoire are written and how they evolved from the work of their predecessors; the various styles of performance practice; and review of each of the four eras of keyboard music--Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th centuries.