Music Performance, Piano Pedagogy Concentration, B.M.

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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)

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.

Private Lessons (8 semesters) Credits: 24
MUP 490 - Senior Recital / Seminar Credits: 3
MUS 442 - Recital Class Credits: 0 (8 semesters)

Ensembles (4 credits)

University Chorale or Chamber Singers Credits: 0.5
Any conducted ensemble Credits: 0.5
MUS 406 - Chamber Music Credits: 0.5
MUS 406 - Chamber Music
Credits: 0.5
or
MUS 452 - Accompanying Credits: 0.5-2

Additional Music Courses (30 credits)

MUS 372 - Pedagogy of the Major Instrument Credits: 2
MUS 373 - Piano Pedagogy 2 Credits: 2
MUS 360 - Advanced Keyboard Skills 1 Credits: 2
MUS 361 - Advanced Keyboard Skills 2 Credits: 2
MUS 376 - Class Piano Teaching 1 Credits: 2
MUS 377 - Class Piano Teaching 2 Credits: 2
MUS 321 - Literature of the Major Instrument Credits: 2
MUS 322 - Piano Literature 2 Credits: 2
MUS 378 - Practicum in Piano Pedagogy 1 Credits: 3
MUS 379 - Practicum in Piano Pedagogy 2 Credits: 3
MUT 330 - Form and Analysis Credits: 3
MUT 332 - Counterpoint Credits: 3
Applied Music-Jazz Piano Credits: 2

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:

Performance audition on the applicant’s major instrument.
Tests of aural comprehension, rhythmic recitation, and sight singing administered individually by a member of the staff.
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.