Conservatory curriculum

[cygnusdei]

Is there a piano curriculum for performance majors in a conservatory? Are you given a set of music to learn or can you pick your own music? Are there certain pieces that everybody has to play?

[pianowelsh]

Each college/conservatory has its own curriculum. It depends a bit which part of the world your living in as to how that curriculum will be structured.  Almost guarenteed you will study some history, harmony/counterpoint, analysis, aural(poss solfeggio), often some computer/IT/recording technology, nonwestern musics (from other cultures), and generally a whole host of instrument specific classes, ie performance class, masterclasses, sightreading classes, accompanimet classes, teaching classes, performance practice classes....etcetcetc. the focus of your week is traditionlally however the 1:1 tuition with your conservatoire professor...often 1 hrs long sometimes 1.5 sometimes 2 per week?? In this you will work through technically and musically demanding repertoire. You many have a scales and technical type examination or you may have to do a recital where an etude is a key component. You will nearly always have to give a recital at the end of yeacr year. In most schools these get progressively longer each year. Some schools in addition give mid year examinations where you play a chamber concert or a concerto or take part in a competition internally and are assesed on your performance/participation. Some schools only have one exam per year but are longer and look for a more diverse range of repertoire to be presented.

Hope that helps. If you want more please ask. I studied curriculum development so I havea fair idea of what goes on.

[cygnusdei]

Each college/conservatory has its own curriculum. It depends a bit which part of the world your living in as to how that curriculum will be structured.  Almost guarenteed you will study some history, harmony/counterpoint, analysis, aural(poss solfeggio), often some computer/IT/recording technology, nonwestern musics (from other cultures), and generally a whole host of instrument specific classes, ie performance class, masterclasses, sightreading classes, accompanimet classes, teaching classes, performance practice classes....etcetcetc. the focus of your week is traditionlally however the 1:1 tuition with your conservatoire professor...often 1 hrs long sometimes 1.5 sometimes 2 per week?? In this you will work through technically and musically demanding repertoire. You many have a scales and technical type examination or you may have to do a recital where an etude is a key component. You will nearly always have to give a recital at the end of yeacr year. In most schools these get progressively longer each year. Some schools in addition give mid year examinations where you play a chamber concert or a concerto or take part in a competition internally and are assesed on your performance/participation. Some schools only have one exam per year but are longer and look for a more diverse range of repertoire to be presented.

Hope that helps. If you want more please ask. I studied curriculum development so I havea fair idea of what goes on.

Can you comment on music selection? Are you at liberty to choose your own music for lessons / recitals? Do they let you graduate without ever playing some standard repertoire, say Chopin sonatas?

[pianowelsh]

Ok - yes! It does vary a LOT from college to college. But principally every college will have you learn a good proportion of the Chopin etudes and prob a couple of Liszt at least. Most will expect a few 20th cent etudes too  (scriabin, prokofiev, Ligeti, Bartok etc). A Beethoven sonata is required generally or at least desired. Generally a first year will be required to play a prelude and fuge of Bach(at least 1) Some colleges are strong on 20th Cent and new music and will have requirements like a work written after 1980 or something like that. It is expected that you will probably play a concerto at least in 2 piano version during your study...most tend to begin with a Classical concerto but not necessarily. You will be expected also to participate in chamber music regularly - this may be very directed or it may be expected that you make you own opportunities..You SHOULD do it anyway because it helps all areas of your playing.  Normally you get to choose the specifics with your piano teacher but the HOD may set down some parameters (as above).  You should remember you will probably be assesed on about 1.5 - 2 hrs worth of music each year so the 'required repertoire only forms part of the repertoire you will have to decide the rest of the programmes in consultation with your teachers to make interesting programmes. Some teachers like the student to lead OTHERs like to tell the student exactly what to play and how to play it.