Music Institute in Piano Pedagogy Course Catalog

Field Of Concentration Courses

The following courses are offered as part of both programs. Students from both programs will participate in the courses together, and will be expected to fulfill the same requirements in each course.

GMUS 771 Elementary Materials and Teaching Techniques (3 cr.)
Discussion of teaching materials for the beginning student and issues relating to the development of musicianship in early studies on the instrument. Learning theories and their relationship to the various aspects of piano study are explored. The course includes consideration of the business aspects of running an independent studio. Seminar participants will develop some familiarity with the various electronic keyboards available for studio and student use.

GMUS 772 Intermediate Materials and Teaching Techniques (3 cr.)
An in-depth study of materials and teaching techniques for the intermediate student. Learning theories and their relationship to the various aspects of piano study at the intermediate level are explored.  

GMUS 773 Advanced Teaching Techniques (3 cr.)
Topics will include those that are applicable to all students, as well as addressing the issues that are specific to the advancing student. Subjects include: planning repertoire that takes students from the intermediate level to the advanced level; developing advanced technique; how to devise practice strategies to solve specific technical problems; how to recognize and avoid physical injuries; performance anxiety; interpretation and analysis; history of piano pedagogy and current pedagogical theory; how to practice; memorizing and preparation for performance.

GMUS 613 Theory for Pianists (3 cr.)
The study of harmonic language, rhythm, texture, formal and contrapuntal procedures, chosen from a broad range of examples derived primarily from literature for piano.

GMUS 615 Performance Practices  (3 cr.)
An in-depth study of performance practices associated with stylistic interpretation of piano music from the 18th century to the present, including issues of phrasing, articulation, rhythm and tempo, dynamics, pedaling, and ornamentation correlated with the evolution of the instrument.

GMUS 619 Keyboard Literature (3 cr.)
Study of the keyboard literature from the beginning of the 18th century to the present.

GMUS 571 Applied Piano Studies (1 cr.)
Twelve 50-minute individual lessons

GMUS 800 Supervised Teaching (2 cr.)
Faculty direction and observation of each student’s teaching. Students will videotape their own piano pupils for the basis of the class. Prerequisite: completion of pedagogy courses.

Master Of Arts In Music Education Courses

GMUS 544 First Steps in Music: Music and Movement in Early Years (1 cr.)
This workshop will provide a bridge from research to practice by demonstrating how a “natural” curriculum, rich in the repertoire of traditional children’s songs, rhymes, games and dances can develop young children’s musical intelligence, singing and movement skills, and expressive sensitivities. A model of parents and children playing together in the years from birth to age three will be presented as well as a curriculum for 3- to 8-year-old children in classroom settings.

GMUS 601 Teaching and Learning (3 cr.)
This course is a comprehensive overview of learning theories and their implications for the teaching of music to children in grades K-12. Students apply principles and concepts inherent in these theories to the teaching and learning of music.

The discipline of music education in its cultural, philosophical and historical contexts is considered in this course through reading assignments and student presentations. The course also serves as an introduction to academic writing, research and scholarship in music education.

GMUS 651 Musicianship Through the Dalcroze Approach  (3 cr.)
Develop musicianship based on the Dalcroze approach. Students study eurhythmics (training the body in rhythm and dynamics), solfege (training the ear, eye and voice in pitch, melody and harmony), improvisation (combining eurhythmics and solfege according to the students’ own invention – in movement, with the voice, on an instrument) and methods (application tools for the classroom and studio). Emphasis is placed on movement as a way to express and analyze music; students improvise on an instrument for movement and improvise movement to pre-recorded classical music.

GMUS 750 Musicianship and Ensemble  (1 cr.)
This course constitutes Kodály Level I studies in musicianship and choral ensemble. Content includes: sight-reading and dictation skill development using moveable-do tonic solfa and rhythm syllables in a pentatony-based approach; analysis of small forms; chorus. Students self-select beginning or experienced solfa level. Course is required for all M.A. concentrations and Kodály Certificate students. Course is elective for non-degree students. Additional course fee: $30.

GMUS 752 Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Instructional Techniques (1 cr.)
This course constitutes Kodály Level I studies in pedagogy. Content includes: historical foundations and philosophical principles of the Kodály approach to music education; scope and sequence for spiral curriculum in grades K-1; methods and techniques for teaching grades K-1 music content and skills; pedagogic indexes; objectives and lesson design; videotape preparation for high concentration lesson segment; listening and art music applications; observation of children’s choral camp musicianship classes. Additional course fee: $6.

GMUS 875 Introduction to Thesis Writing (3 cr.)
This course is an introduction to research methods and educational scholarship. Research methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative, are examined (as they apply to students’ thesis topic interest) to help students gain insights into how to conduct research. From this knowledge base, each student will prepare the initial draft of a master’s thesis research proposal. (Prerequisite: Successful completion of all M.A. coursework.

GMUS 876 Directed Research ( 0 cr.)
Required for all students who have completed MUS 875 and are working on the thesis.

GMUS 890 Master's Thesis (1 cr.)
The thesis is an independent research project that involves the acquisition of new knowledge through systematic, objective examination of questions in music teaching and learning. Thesis work may be formulated in the traditional models of descriptive, experimental, quasi-experimental and historical modes of educational research. In addition, students may focus on real-life problems in their classrooms by completing a thesis in applied pedagogy. Regardless of the design, this project requires a written document  of approximately 50 pages (not including endnotes, references and appendices) in acceptable form and an oral defense.

Policies & Procedures
Scheduling

One course in the piano pedagogy concentration will be given each semester (Fall, Spring and Summer) on a rotating basis.  Piano lessons and Supervised Teaching will be offered fall and spring semesters for both the Certificate and degree programs. (Those needing to take these during the summer are asked to speak to the Director of the Music Institute.) Core courses in the degree program are offered every summer, and some are also offered on Saturdays during the regular school year.

Registration And Tuition

• Students taking courses for academic credit will register through the Graduate Program in Music Education office.  Non-credit students will register through The Music Institute office.
• All aspects of individual piano instruction and supervised teaching will be processed by the GPME office and the Music Institute office for their students respectively.
• Courses may be taken in the following ways:
  

  - Degree seeking academic credit

  - Nondegree seeking academic credit

  - Certificate credit

              - Audit (1/3 tuition)

• All students taking Lessons and Supervised Teaching will be charged full tuition.
• Those wishing to audit a course may do so, space permitting. Courses that are audited may not be used for the Certificate or the MAME degree. 

Credit For Applied Piano Studies

Students may enroll in piano lessons either through the GPME or Music Institute offices any semester. However, lessons will count toward the MAME degree only after acceptance into the program. Lessons will count toward the Certificate requirements once the student has made application to the Certificate program and has enrolled in a course.

Transfer Of Coursework

A maximum of six semester hours may be transferred into the GPME program, including graduate credits earned as a non-degree student at UST that are part of the degree program. (See GPME catalogue for more details.)

For those who have taken pedagogy courses elsewhere, acceptance of these requirements is at the discretion of the piano faculty. Students wishing to have such courses fulfill program requirements (either into the degree program or the certificate program) must supply a transcript plus a syllabus in order to establish if there is an equivalency in contact hours and content. Certificate students will still be required to take the full number of 19 credits.

Evaluation Of Coursework

• Academic credit students and certificate students will receive a letter grade.
• Instructors are not obligated to evaluate any work done by auditors.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available in the way of fellowships and loans only for those enrolled in the MAME degree program.