Oct 07, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music Performance, Piano Pedagogy Concentration, B.M.


This degree concentration is for students who wish to prepare for a career in private piano teaching and those who wish to do graduate work in piano pedagogy. The program focuses upon the development of teaching techniques and performance skills. Specific areas of pedagogy study include: methods and materials, child development, learning theory as it pertains to music education, group and individual lesson formats, and business aspects of running a private studio. The program also includes a supervised piano teaching internship during the junior or senior year. A basic understanding of the standards and opportunities for teaching, as well as performance, leads the student to realistic expectations for a career in private piano teaching.

Program Requirements


The minimum number of credits required for the degree is 120.

Music CORE (30 credits)


Music History (12 credits)


Conducting (2 credits)


Applied Music (27 credits)


Students in the piano pedagogy concentration must play a full 50 minute recital in the senior year, including at least 40 minutes of solo repertoire. The recital should illustrate a range of historical styles.

Ensembles (4 credits)


Additional Elective Courses (6 credits)


  • Electives Credits: 6

Jury Information


Pedagogy concentration majors will take a progress check jury at the end of each fall semester and a level jury at the end of each spring semester. Jury level expectations are:

Level 1 - earned at the conclusion of Semester 2; Level 2 - earned at the conclusion of Semester 4; Level 3 - earned at the conclusion of Semester 6. A Level 3 must be completed prior to the presentation of a senior recital.

Admission Information


Admission is based on the following criteria: 

  1. Performance audition on the applicant’s major instrument.
  2. Tests of aural comprehension, rhythmic recitation, and sight singing administered individually by a member of the staff.
  3. A diagnostic written test of music fundamentals, including intervals, scales, chords, and key signatures.

USM Core Requirements


The USM Core Curriculum is a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal education that enables our graduates to be world-minded, intentional, life-long learners and captures your general education degree requirements. 

Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor.  For additional information, access the USM Core webpage.