3.00 Credits
As a performance study designed for the Post Baccalaureate or M.Ed. Music Leadership major to support piano, voice, and instrumental majors, this course covers a broader spectrum of performance including advanced knowledge of the Contemporary performance practices, composers, techniques, and styles. Students also learn approaches for developing a vision for creating a school community that supports music performance and programming as a necessary condition of a learning community be it local, regional, national, or international. Students gain skills in designing curriculum for musical study at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced level. Leadership is the major component of this degree. Beyond teaching piano, graduate piano majors must develop proper curriculum, establish programs, engage in fund raising activities and become entrepreneurial in their thinking and actions. Along with the pedagogical elements included in this course, weekly assignments also include technical studies (scales, arpeggios, etc.) and the development of repertoire, as well as functional playing, which includes sightreading, improvisation, accompanying, and ensemble playing. Students are REQUIRED to attend and perform in master classes, student recitals, and juries. Some lessons, master classes and practice sessions will be recorded. Students are expected to review the recordings and evaluate their performances regarding specific criteria. This piano performance course is designed for the Post Baccalaureate or M.Ed. Music Leadership major to enhance the skills of high level performing, teaching, conducting research, writing critical papers, and giving oral presentations. Topics will vary each semester.