Piano Proficiency
Requirements (as of Fall 2018)
In-Class Portion (During the last week of classes)
- 2-octave scales in all major and minor keys, hands together
- Chord progressions in all major and minor keys, hands together: I-IV-I-V7-I Page 53, i-iv-i-V7-i Page 55
- Harmonization and Transposition: Page 166 no. 1. Hands together, LH plays broken chord accompaniment. Prepare original key and transposition to B-flat major.
- Two-voice transposition: Song of Joy, page 87. Prepare original key and transposition to A major.
- Lead-sheet harmonization: Page 224 no. 3. Hands together, LH plays broken chord accompaniment.
- Score reading: Credo, page 332. Play all four parts simultaneously.
- Hymn Playing: Reading exercise, page 285 (top of the page). With the indicated pedal markings.
- Improvisation: page 101, key of D major. Hands together, LH plays broken chord accompaniment
- Patriotic Song: The Star Spangled Banner
Juried portion (During Finals Week)
- Art Song or Instrumental Accompaniment. Choose one from the following list:
- “March in G” (p. 292) for piano and cello
- “A Touch of Blue” (p. 382) for piano and E-flat saxophone
- “To a Wild Rose” (p. 378) for piano and B-flat clarinet
- “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” (p. 380) for piano and F horn
- “Heidenröslein” (p. 169) for piano and voice
- “Ich Grolle Nicht” (p. 330) for piano and voice
- “Sehnsucht Nach Dem Frühlinge” (p. 254) for piano and voice
- Other selections may be possible with Dr. Pickering’s approval
You will need to perform it with an instrumentalist/vocalist (it can be with the instrument the piece is written for or you can substitute it with another instrument of similar range).
- Two-hand accompaniment: Morning Has Broken (p. 264)
Carefully look at each requirement and make sure you are consistently preparing each part of the exam, and do not hesitate to contact Dr. Pickering if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment to go over the proficiency materials.