Course Syllabus – Private Piano (Piano Majors)

MUSP1520/30-4520/30 (2 semester hours)

Instructors: 

Dr. Beth Maisonpierre      Moore Hall, 203, 521-6381, beth.maisonpierre@uncp.edu

Dr. Jon Maisonpierre       Moore Hall 207, 521-6593, jonathan.maisonpierre@uncp.edu

Texts:          

As assigned by instructor

General Description:

Private lessons are 50 minutes and are taught weekly on a one-to-one basis with opportunities for group performance and discussion at periodic seminars/master classes. Private lessons are designed to build technical proficiency, repertoire, and awareness of pianistic problems. Additionally, the lessons help students become more aware of relationships between the assigned piano repertoire, music history, and music theory.

Lesson Expectations:

A private lesson should be treated like a class. Students are expected to be punctual and to bring a notebook in which to write specific assignments. Do not schedule other appointments during lesson times. Lessons will be rescheduled only if the instructor misses the lesson or if the student misses due to a UNCP-sponsored trip.

Students should refer to “Minimum Piano Lesson Requirements” for a general guide of semester-by-semester expectations. Within this framework, the instructor will select and assign repertoire and various technical exercises that are appropriate to the level of each student. Students should expect to work toward completion of both short- and long-term assignments.

Students are expected to purchase music in a timely manner. Library or borrowed copies may be used only until ordered music has arrived. Xeroxes and/or library copies may not be used for performances or juries.

Course Requirements:

• Attend all lessons and piano seminars.
• Attend all department recitals, meetings, and Moore Hall Series events.
• Practice a minimum of two hours per day. A written practice journal may be required.
• Complete short and long term applied assignments as assigned by the instructor.
• Perform on one Department Recital each semester. Permission of the instructor is needed. Failure to perform on one recital will result in a ten-point deduction from the final grade.
• Attend special events as assigned by the instructors.
• Write three papers: article report, concert review, and research paper. (See Music Department Handbook, p. 20, Appendix B for details). The article report is due by Thursday, October 11; your instructor must approve the article. The research paper (important piano pedagogues of the past) is due by Tuesday, November 27. The concert review is due within ten days of the performance – no later than the last day of classes (Friday, November 30).

Portfolio:

All music students at UNCP are required to submit a portfolio during their last year. In order to document your performances and other applied piano activities, students should save all programs on which they are listed as performing, recordings of these performances, copies of concert reviews, repertoire information guides, and any other documents that demonstrate your growth as a pianist.

Evaluation/Grading (Music Department Handbook, p. 5-6 and Appendix B):

• Blackboard will be used to communicate grades.
• The “lesson grade” consists of weekly lessons graded by your instructor, as well as any “0” grades assigned due to absences from required events.
• The “lesson grade” average is 65% of the total grade. Your lowest “lesson grade” will be dropped from your final grade. Weekly grades will be determined as follows:
• A:   accomplished short term assignment(s); made significant progress toward long term goals
• B:   accomplished short term assignment(s); made some progress toward long term goals
• C:   accomplished short term assignment(s); made negligible progress toward long term goals
• D:   did not accomplish short term assignment(s); made negligible progress toward long term goals
• The final juried exam will count 20% of the final grade.
• Each of the three required papers will count 5% of the final grade (15% total).
• Attendance
• A missed lesson will result in a “0” “lesson grade” and will not be made up. Please see the make up policy on p. 6 of the Music Department Handbook. (One “0” will be dropped.)
• You must attend a minimum of twelve concerts, inclusive of Moore Hall Recital Series and departmental recitals. A “lesson grade” of “0” will be given for missed MHRS concerts and departmental recitals or for any of the other twelve recitals/concerts that you did not attend.
• You are required to attend all Piano Seminars. Unexcused absences from piano seminars will factor in the final grade as a “0” “lesson grade.”

Piano Seminars (required):

Most Piano Seminars are scheduled either on Wednesday during the Student Activity Period (10:00 AM), or Friday at 2:30 PM. See schedule below. These will take place in either in Moore Hall Auditorium or in Moore 203. Students are expected to perform on two piano seminars (different pieces). Other than performing, piano seminars may be used for discussion of piano-related topics, viewing piano videos, student presentations or hosting guest speakers. As stated above, failure to attend a piano seminar will count as a missed lesson and will average into the “lesson grade” as a “0.”

Friday, August 24, 2:30 PM

Monday, August 27, 6:00 PM (dinner at the Maisonpierre Home)

Friday, September 7, 2:30 PM

Wednesday, September 19, 10:00 AM

Wednesday, October 3, 10:00 AM

Friday, October 12, 2:30 PM

Friday, October 26, 2:30 PM

Friday, November 9, 2:30 PM

Thursday, November 29, 6:00 PM – dinner at local restaurant and discussion of research papers

Other Required Event:

Wednesday, October 17, 11:30 AM – Cooperstock Masterclass

Specific Competencies:

• The student should demonstrate a broad music background based on a comprehensive understanding of music.
• The student should display the ability to appropriately perform standard piano literature representative of various style periods.
• The student should demonstrate the mastery of progressively more difficult techniques in the following areas:
• The use of pedal
• The coordination of the two hands in both contrapuntal and homophonic textures
• The playing of two or more parts simultaneously with one hand
• Correct articulation and phrasing
• Correct interpretation of the written score with regard to pitches, rhythm, dynamics, tempos, and expression marks
• Correct performance of increasingly more difficult rhythmic patterns such as cross rhythms, changes in meter, hemiola, etc.
• The student should display the ability to execute major and minor scales, arpeggios, and various etudes.
• The students should develop the ability to isolate problematic areas in a composition and to develop exercises that will resolve these problems, thereby nurturing good practice habits.
• The student should develop the ability to confidently perform in public.
• The student should develop the ability to sight read.
• The student should demonstrate an understanding of the elements of music as they relate to all kinds of music expression.
• The student should exhibit a general knowledge of piano literature, available editions of the literature, and available recordings and the artists.
• The student should demonstrate the ability to evaluate his/her own musical performance.

Relationship of Specific Competencies to Student Learning Outcomes:

      This is a required course for a baccalaureate degree for students majoring in piano. The baccalaureate programs are structured around four UNCP Music Competencies and related Student Learning Outcomes including:

• A fundamental level of musicianship demonstrating aural, analytical, and technological skills. A-ME.1, B.1, C.2, D-ME.1
• A proficiency in performance skills. A.1, C.1, D.2, E.1-2, E-ME.2
• A fundamental knowledge of music history and literature. A.1-2, B.1-2, C.1, D.1, E.1,F.1
• A fundamental knowledge of education and music education. IV-ME.6-8

UNCP Honor Code

The student is advised to read The University of North Carolina at Pembroke “Academic Honor Code” found in the Student Handbook.  All aspects of this code are applicable to MUSP 152/3-452/3.

Special Note for Students with Disabilities:

Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments is requested to speak directly to Disability Support Services and the instructor, as early in the semester (preferably within the first class week) as possible. All discussions will remain confidential.

This publication is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact Mary Helen Walker, Disability Support Services, Career Services Center, 521-6695.