Music - Performance - Piano Pedagogy

Overview

The Music - Performance - Piano Pedagogy major offered at Colorado State University  prepares students for continued study at the graduate level. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in music history, music theory, and performance, with many opportunities for performance, including large and small ensemble participation as well as solo recitals.

In order to complete the Performance concentration, students must select from one of the following options: jazz studies, orchestral instrument, organ, piano, piano pedagogy, string pedagogy, and voice.

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate:

• Ability to perform music from a variety of historical/ style periods, and exhibit the appropriate skills for musical self-expression in juried performances. These skills include: technique, musicianship, tone, diction/articulation, style, interpretation, sight-reading, rhythm, and artistry.
• Keyboard Skills.
• The capacity to create original or derivative music.
• Understanding of the common elements and organizational patterns of music, including musical forms, processes, and structures.
• Knowledge of music history and repertory, including representative composers and works according to the area of specialization, as well as study and experiences with music in addition to that of the primary culture encompassing the area of specialization.

Students are also expected to learn music literature from all periods through aural and score analysis. Performance skills are tested at the end of the sophomore year and in a graduation recital if required by the degree option. Some programs require satisfactory completion of supervised student teaching, an internship, or a senior project. 

Potential Occupations

The professional undergraduate music curricula at CSU can lead to personally fulfilling careers as music educators, music therapists, performers, composers, private teachers, and entrepreneurs. Music graduates from CSU have successfully gained employment in public and private schools, hospitals and institutions, and as professional performers and composers.