Course Number: MUAP 100-900 Credit Hours: 1-4 Instructor:  Paul Barnes

Section Number:  001      Office:  WMB 241, 2-2493
 

Class Time
Arranged by student and me at my studio (WMB 241)
 

Title
 Applied Piano
 

Prerequisites
Acceptance as determined by successful entrance examination before applied piano faculty.  Audition should include at least two works of contrasting styles (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Contemporary).  At least one work must be memorized.  Sight-reading will be included.  Also scales, arpeggios as studied.
 

Texts and References
Specific repertoire as determined by instructor in the appropriate assigned edition to be purchased by the student.  Additional reading/reference material as assigned.  My students are not permitted to use photo-copied music unless they own a copy of the music and are using the xerox to protect their score.
 

Course Objectives
Specific goals and objectives to be established between me and the individual student.  Possible criteria may include:

• increased fluency in sight-reading and memorization
• continuous development of technique at all levels
• new approaches to overcome performance anxiety and physical tension
• development of stylistic understanding
 
 Content Outline
Successful completion of semi-annual performance exams which include a minimum of three contrasting historical styles for majors, and two contrasting styles for minors.  Majors must have all pieces memorized while minors are permitted to use music for one of their two pieces.  A test on graded technique established by the piano division will also be given (majors only).  Requirements as follows:

 Freshman: all major scales (MM =120) and arpeggios (MM = 100)
 Sophomore: all major/minor scales (MM = 120) and arpeggios (100)
 Junior: all major scales in 3rds, 6ths, 10ths
   all dom.7th, dim.7th arpeggios
 Senior: all of above, scales at MM = 144 (octaves only)

Performance majors will be expected to perform frequently in studio class and perform on at least one student convocation per semester.  It is expected that all applied majors will practice three hours minimum daily including weekends.
 

Instructional activities
Individual weekly lessons, bi-monthly Piano Hour (Departmental) - Monday 3:30 - 5:00 pm, required for majors, optional for minors.  Individual studio classes - on remaining Mondays (3:30 - 5:00 p.m.) as scheduled by me.  It is critical that all of my students check my door frequently for studio messages and studio class scheduling.  The first Piano Hour is scheduled for Monday Jan 31.
 

Field and Clinical Experience
Mandatory attendance for majors at all piano degree recitals and at least 50% of all other piano and chamber music recitals.   Students are also encouraged to participate in outside performances and competitions, in particular the NMTA and MNTA competitions held each fall.  Students are encouraged to develop a small studio of private students.
 

Grading Procedures
Two-thirds of final grade to be determined by individual's preparedness, performance and progress at individual lessons, piano departmentals, and student convocations.  One-third to be determined by semester performance jury during final exam week (Major juries - 20 minutes, minor juries - 10 minutes).  Music majors & minors must earn a grade of C or better.

Note: Attendance at all lessons is not the basis for an A in my studio.  You must show evidence of pianistic progress on a regular and consistent basis.   If a concept or fingering mentioned in a previous lesson has not been applied throughout daily practice (as evidenced by lesson performance) your grade for that lesson will be poor.  I take notes after each lesson and remark either positively or negatively on weekly progress.   Again, an 'A' in my studio is an earned grade based on your weekly performance at lessons.  Also failure to execute basic technical exercises including scales and arpeggios at the assigned rate (see course objectives above) will also be the basis of a lower grade.
 

Attendance policy
Attendance at all individual lessons, piano departmentals and recitals as specified above is mandatory.  Lessons missed due to illness or pre-arranged excuse are to be made up by mutual agreement between student and instructor.  Unexcused absences without prior notice (including failure to check for schedule changes in timely fashion on studio door) will not be made up and may result in a lower grade for the semester.