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Piano Pedagogy at USM

Curriculum for Bachelor of Music in Performance Piano Pedagogy Concentration This degree concentration is designed for students who wish to prepare for a career in private piano teaching and/or those who wish to do graduate work in piano pedagogy.  The program focuses upon the development of teaching techniques as well as 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.  The minimum number of credits (exclusive of the University's Core curriculum) required for the concentration: 97 Courses marked with an asterisk(*) are offered on a rotating basis. Students should work closely with their advisors in planning their course of study in this concentration.

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	Music Core Requirements, 28 credits
MUS 244	Basic Conducting
*MUS 321	Literature of the Major Instrument
*MUS 330, 331	Form and Analysis I, II
*MUS 332	Counterpoint
MUS 442	Recital Class (eight semesters)
MUP 203	Applied Music, Piano (eight semesters)
*MUS 252, 253	Jazz Piano Class I, II
*MUS 360. 361	Advanced Keyboard Skills I, II
*MUS 372, 373	Piano Pedagogy I, II
MUS 376, 377	Class Piano Teaching I, II
MUS 378, 379	Practicum in Piano Pedagogy I, II
	Performance ensembles (4 credits)
	Electives in any college (6 credits)

Two credits of Applied Jazz Piano  (MUP 201 or 202) may be substituted for MUS 252 and 253, with permission of the instructor.  An additional two credits of Applied Jazz Piano is optional and may be taken in lieu of two credits of electives.  Students must complete 1 credit hour of ensemble by singing in either University  Chorale or Chamber Singers.  Another 1 credit must be completed by playing any instrument in any conducted ensemble.  One credit must be taken in piano chamber music, and the remaining one credit may be taken in either chamber music or accompanying.  Students in the piano pedagogy concentration must also complete the following professional education courses:

MUE 220	Historical Foundations and Learning Theories
HRD 333J	Human Growth and Development

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.

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Descriptions of New Courses in Piano Pedagogy: Piano Pedagogy II:  The second semester continuation of MUS 372  (Pedagogy of the Major Instrument) in piano.  The course includes supervised teaching experience of beginning piano to children in a group setting.  For piano majors or with permission of instructor.  Prerequisite: MUS 372 Class Piano Teaching I:  This course provides an overview of teaching group piano to adult beginners.  Students spend the semester observing the teaching of Piano Class I and meet with the teacher weekly for discussion and additional instruction. For piano majors or with permission of instructor.  Prerequisite: two semesters of applied piano (MUP 202 or 203).  Class Piano Teaching II:  This course is the second semester continuation of Class Piano Teaching I.  Students will observe the teaching of Piano Class II and meet with the teacher weekly for discussion and additional instruction.  Students will also have the opportunity to teach the class under the instructor's supervision.  For piano majors or with permission of instructor.  Prerequisite: MUS 376 (Class Piano Teaching I)  Practicum in Piano Pedagogy I:  A semester of practical teaching experience in individual piano instruction.  Students will be responsible for the individual teaching of three to four child beginners under the supervision of piano pedagogy faculty.  Students will also observe piano lessons given by master teachers and do outside readings and research.  For piano performance and piano pedagogy concentration majors or with permission of instructor.  Prerequisite: MUS 372 and 4 semesters of Applied Piano (MUP 202 or 203).  Practicum in Piano Pedagogy II:  The second semester continuation of Practicum in Piano Pedagogy I.  For piano performance and piano pedagogy concentration majors or with permission of instructor.  Prerequisite: MUS 378  (Practicum in Piano Pedagogy I)

University of Southern Maine Piano Pedagogy Faculty:

Christine Kissack