Piano Proficiency should be taken no later than the end of Sophomore year. The jury for the exam will include at least two piano faculty. Students may enroll in MUS 234: Class Piano I, MUS 235: Class Piano II, and MUS 335: Class Piano III in the appropriate sequence to build the skills necessary to complete the piano proficiency.

Music education majors cannot enroll in MUS 332: Elementary Music Methods II or MUS 323: Secondary Music Methods until the piano proficiency examination is completed satisfactorily.

All music majors will:

1. Sight read pieces from Adult Level II piano literature by James Lyke and other suggested materials catalogued in the music Learning Center.
2. Play all major and harmonic minor scales in 2 octaves, both hands, correct fingering, slow tempo recommended.
3. Play I IV V7 I progressions in all major keys in chordal positions, both hands. Same progressions for minor keys that starts on white keys (c, d, e, f, g, a, b).
4. Play a four part harmonization from one of the 101 Chorales harmonized by J.S. Bach, or one hymn from a standard hymn book.
5. Play one prepared solo piece from a selected list given by the applied piano instructor or materials from the Music Learning Center.
6. Add an accompaniment (chordal or alberti bass) to simple melodies.

In addition to the above, music education majors will complete the following according to their emphasis:

• Instrumental emphasis:
  1. Play one prepared slow movement accompaniment from the repertoire of the student's main instrument.
  2. Transpose a given melody up and down a major second with simple left hand notes or chords.
      
• Choral Emphasis:
  1. Sight read open SATB score and play any two parts of any combination; play a chordal accompaniment from a selected aria, oratorio or an opera.
  2. Transpose a given melody up and down a major second with simple left hand notes or chords.