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Music / Piano Proficiency Requirement for Majors

Piano Proficiency Requirement for Majors

All music majors must successfully complete the Piano Proficiency exam as a condition for graduation. The exam is offered twice a year, during final exam week in fall and spring semesters.

Students should plan to pass the Piano Proficiency exam by sophomore spring semester or earlier. Students who do not satisfy the piano proficiency by the end of their sophomore year will be required to take piano study in their junior year in preparation for passing the exam.

Preparation:

  • Study Packets: You may request the study packet two weeks prior to taking the exam. Examples in the packets are not the items used for the exam. Request a packet by emailing czimmerman@willamette.edu. The packet will then be shared with you via Google docs.
  • Basic reading assistance: If you need assistance with basic reading, you are strongly encouraged to take the piano class MUSC 140. Approximately 75% of the exam can be completed as part of the MUSC 180 course.
  • Additionally, students are encouraged to take piano lessons, starting at the 170 level, to prepare.

The specifics of the exam are described below.

  • Scales and arpeggios: Student must be able to play all major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios, 2 octaves, hands apart or together, with correct fingering at a steady tempo
  • Chord Progression: Descending thirds chord progression in all keys, major and minor: I vi IV ii I6/4 V7 I OR i VI iv iio I6/4 V7 i.
  • Harmonization: Harmonize a given treble-clef melody with LH chords. The harmonic rhythm is expected to be one or two chords per measure.
  • Transposition: Transpose the melody and chordal accompaniment into a different, specified key.
  • Repertoire: Prepare one solo classical composition, complete with note accuracy, rhythmic accuracy and fluency, appropriate dynamics and style. Classical compositions must be minimum level 3 compositions in Keith Snell series (for example). Other examples include: Bach Anna Magdalena Notebook, Clementi Op. 36, No. 1, Burgmüller Op. 100, Streabbog Op. 63, Schumann Op. 68, Kabalevsky Op. 39. For guidance relating to appropriate level, contact Dr. Zimmerman.

Grading:

  • Dynamics: Dynamic levels are obvious, consistent, and an accurate interpretation of the style of music being played.
  • Expression and Style: Performs with a creative nuance and style in response to the score
  • Phrasing: Phrasing is always consistent and sensitive to the style of music being played.
  • Note Accuracy: Notes are consistently accurate
  • Articulations: Secure attacks. Markings (staccato, legato, slur, accents, etc.) are executed accurately as directed by the score
  • Rhythm: The beat is secure and the rhythms are accurate for the style of music being played
  • Tempo: Played in appropriate and/or consistent tempo
  • Fingering: All prescribed fingering was played correctly

Some Books for Repertoire Consideration:

  • Keith Snell Level 3
  • Piano Music of Africa and the African Diaspora Volume 1: Early Intermediate (Piano Music of the African Diaspora)
  • FJH Masterpiece Anthology: Women Composers, Book 1
  • Viktor Kosenko, 4 Children’s Pieces, IMSLP/Petrucci music library

Examples from Keith Snell Level 3 (for leveling comparison):

  • Le Petit Rien by François Couperin
  • Minuet in F by George Frideric Handel
  • Musette from English Suite No. 3 by J.S. Bach
  • Minuet in G, BWV Anh. 116 from Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach (J.S. Bach)
  • Minuet in D Minor, BWV Anh. 132 from Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach (J.S. Bach)
  • March in D, BWV Anh. 122 from Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach (C.P.E. Bach)
  • Polonaise in G Minor, BWV Anh. 119 from Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach (J.S. Bach)
  • Scherzo from Sonata in F, Hob. XVI:9 by Joseph Haydn
  • Sonatina in C, Op. 36 No. 1, 1st movement: Spiritoso by Muzio Clementi
  • Sonatina in C, Op. 36, No. 1, 2nd movement: Andante by Muzio Clementi
  • Sonatina in C, Op. 36, No. 1, 3rd movement: Rondo: Vivace by Muzio Clementi
  • Allegro by Johann Hässler 9:45 Allegro in B-Flat, K. 3 by W.A. Mozart
  • Minuet in F, K. 5 by W.A. Mozart
  • Minuet in C by Ignaz Pleyel
  • Écossaise, Op. 18, No. 4 by Franz Schubert
  • Waltz in A Major by Franz Schubert
  • La Candeur, Op. 100, No. 1 by Friedrich Burgmüller
  • Arabesque, Op. 100, No. 2 by Friedrich Burgmüller
  • Melody, from Album for the Young, Op. 68, No. 1 by Robert Schumann
  • The Merry Farmer from Album for the Young, Op. 68, No. 10 by Robert Schumann
  • Allegretto by Albert Biehl
  • Old French Song from Album for the Young, Op. 39, No. 16 by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
  • Soldiers' March from Album for the Young, Op. 39, No. 5 by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
  • Folk Dance from For Children, Vol. I, by Béla Bartók
  • The Clown from 24 Pieces for Children, Op. 39, No. 20 by Dmitri Kabalevsky
  • Waltz in A Minor from 24 Pieces for Children, Op. 39, No. 23 by Dmitri Kabalevsky
  • Variations on a Russian Folk Song by Dmitri Kabalevsky
  • The Mechanical Doll from Six Pieces for Children, Op. 69, No. 6, by Dmitri Shostakovich