1. Catalog Description

This course is designed to give students an opportunity to acquire ensemble experience in piano. Students will be a part of a variety of ensemble combinations, with the Instructor acting as coach and coordinator. Repertory is selected to acquaint the student with representative literature from all periods. Membership is open to all qualified students of the university. Prerequisite: audition and permission of instructor. This course may be repeated for credit. This course may be applied toward the Fine and Performing Arts University Studies Program Requirements.

 

2. Statement of the major focus and objectives of the course

This course fulfills the requirements for the Fine and Performing Arts category of the University Studies Program by including learning activities that promote students' abilities to:

a. explore the language, skills, and materials of an artistic discipline;

b. use the methods of an arts practitioner to actively engage in creative processes or interpretive performances;

c. understand the cultural and gender contexts of artistic expression; and

d. engage in reflective analysis of their own art work or interpretive performance.

 

3. Course outline of the major topics and subtopics: (letters in parentheses refer to the University Studies Program Fine and Performing Arts Outcomes listed above.)

1. Improving listening skills (a, b, d).

2. Developing positive ways to interact with others in creating a final musical product (a, c, d).

3. Improving rhythm skills (a, b, d).

4. Improving technical piano skills. (a, b).

5. Learning and practicing effective rehearsal techniques (a, b, d).

6. Improving sight reading ability (a, b).

7. Understanding the cultural, gender, and historical contexts of works performed (c).

8. Engaging in reflective analysis of the ensemble's performance (d).

9. Expanding knowledge of keyboard literature. (a, c)

10. Learning to read different styles of musical scores. (a, b)

4. Basic instructional plan and methods utilized.

Students will meet with instructor/coach in small ensembles approximately three times per semester. Students will participate in one piano ensemble repertoire class per month. Repertoire classes will include ensembles performing with group reflective analysis and critique and discussions of the music’s history, cultural, and gender contexts.

5. Course requirements (papers, lab work, projects, etc.) and means of evaluation.

Course requirements:

1. Students must attend classes/rehearsals as scheduled. Attendance is of importance both in terms of individual progress and of responsibility toward one’s ensemble partner. Students will receive a monthly schedule for individual ensemble work with the Instructor. Once a month the class will meet as a group, which each time will feature one aspect of the ensemble experience. (USP Outcomes a, b, c, and d)

2. Outside practice by individual students of assigned ensemble pieces. (USP Outcomes a, b, and d)

3. Ensemble groups are expected to rehearse outside of class/coaching sessions. (USP Outcomes a, b, and d)

4. All students must perform in the Piano Ensemble Recital as scheduled each semester. (USP Outcomes a, b, and d)

Evaluation will be based upon:

Attendance and Participation.

Adequate preparation of ensemble repertoire.

Participation in discussions during repertoire classes indicative of reflective analysis of performance and understanding of the cultural, historic, and gender contexts of the works performed and/or discussed.

6. Textbook(s) or alternatives:

Music will be provided by instructor. Repertoire will be selected from a variety of styles and periods.

7. List of references and bibliography:

Books

Georgii, Walter. Klaviermusik. Zurich-Freiburg: Atlantis Verlag, 1950.

Gordon, Stewart. A History of Keyboard Literature: Music for the Piano and its Forerunners. New York: Schirmer Books. London: Prentice Hall International, 1996.

Hinson, Maurice. Music for More Than One Piano: An Annotated Guide. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1983.

McGraw, Cameron. Piano Duet Repertoire: Music Originally Written for One Piano, Four Hands. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1981.

Weekley, Dallas and Nancy Arganbright. The Piano Duet: A Learning Guide. San Diego: Neil A. Kjos Music Company, 1996.

Journals

Clavier. The Instrumentalist Publishing Company.

Keys: Piano Music Magazine. The Instrumentalist Publishing Company.

 

 

 

B. Rationale

This course contributes to the department’s curriculum by providing a small ensemble performing option for pianists which is not currently available. The licensure for vocal music has a requirement for small ensemble experience. We have ensemble’s available for voice, orchestral, and band instruments, but very little available for pianists. Vocal music education majors whose main performing medium is piano have very few options for fulfilling this particular licensure requirement.

This also benefits the Winona Experience Studies Program at Winona State by providing a course the fulfills the outcomes for the Fine and Performing Arts category of the Arts and Sciences Core. There is room for approximately twenty students in this course. While two or three of these students may be vocal music education majors, most of them will not be music majors and will be able to use the credits for their University Studies program. The music department must often turn down students outside of the music department with piano background who would like to continue taking lessons because the applied studios have only enough room to service music majors and minors. This course would provide an opportunity for some of these students to continue playing piano with the guidance of an instructor.

This course does not increase or decrease the total credits required by a major or minor in any other department. No notification is required.

Not applicable

E. General Education (University Studies) Course Proposals

Department or Program: Music

Course Number: 233

Number of Credits 1 S.H.

Course Title: Piano Ensemble

Catalog Description:

This course is designed to give students an opportunity to acquire ensemble experience in piano and to learn the enjoyment of participation in chamber music. Students will be a part of a variety of ensemble combinations, with the Instructor acting as coach and coordinator. Repertory is selected to acquaint the student with representative literature from all periods. Membership is open to all qualified students of the university. Prerequisite: audition and permission of instructor. This course may be repeated for credit.

This is an existing course that has previously been approved by A2C2: No (A new course proposal is being submitted in conjunction with this University Studies proposal.)

Department Contact Person for this Course: Cathy Schmidt

Email: cschmidt@winona.edu

USP Outcome a: explore the language, skills, and materials of an artistic discipline.

In this course the students explore the language, skills, and materials of music through developing listening skills, rhythmic skills, piano technique, and music sight reading skills. Students become acquainted with keyboard literature representing a variety of styles and improve their ability to read different styles of musical scores as well as perform in ensemble with others.

USP Outcome b: use the methods of an arts practitioner to actively engage in creative processes or interpretive performances.

In Piano Ensemble, students are actively engaged in interpretive performances of varied repertoire in several different ensemble combinations (duets, trios, etc.) in the context of both rehearsal and performance. Students explore the processes through which a performer interprets or expresses a composer's work.

USP Outcome c: understand the cultural and gender contexts of artistic expression.

Students in this ensemble course explore the cultural and gender aspects of musical expression through both performing and hearing others perform works by women composers and by male composers of diverse cultural and regional backgrounds. Background information regarding these composers and the cultural contexts of the music are discussed in piano ensemble repertoire classes.

USP Outcome d: engage in reflective analysis of their own artwork or interpretive performance and respond to the works of others.