The Bachelor of Science in Music Degree encompasses a variety of foundational classes in Performance Music, Music Business, and Recording Arts. Keyboard skills are fundamental for songwriting, arranging, producing, musical directing, film scoring, accompanying and performing in the contemporary music industry.
The Piano Lab experience provides a common instrumental foundation in contemporary piano technique and theory, as well as experience working with the keyboard as a midi controller. Students in each semester of piano class create projects using LogicPro. Each station is equipped with an iMac that gives students instant access to multimedia tools such as instructional videos and play along tracks, as well music notation software.
Depending on the degree program and major, Piano Lab requirements will vary from two to three semesters. Many students choose to take four semesters. Piano classes I and II are taken in conjunction with their co-requisite Ear Training and Theory courses.
Piano Placement Tests are administered twice each semester, during the first and the last week of the semester. Incoming students who wish to test out of Piano classes may schedule auditions during these times as well.
The Placement Test for Fall 2013 will be Mon-Wed, May 13-15, by appointment.
Auditions take approximately 25 minutes. You receive the placement exam for the level(s) you want to test out of, and 15 minutes to practice, and the exam takes about 10 minutes.
Be prepared to:
- Play a short piece or excerpt you know well. It can be a piece that you have learned by ear or by sheet music, and does not have to be memorized. Any genre, or an original composition, is acceptable.
- Play as many major scales as you are able – RH, eighth notes, up & down two octaves.
- Read chord progressions from Roman numerals and contemporary chord symbols.
- Sight read from notes on the staff.
You can reach the Piano Area Head for scheduling a Placement Exam or any additional information at: Peter.Stoltzman@ucdenver.edu
Learn more about the new piano lab setup at http://www.camarts.org/#facilities/details/19, and watch the promo video at www.youtube.com/user/ucdpiano.