Department of Keyboard Studies Piano Organ Accordion BMus (Performance) Hons Handbook Session 2013/2014 1
Contents 1 Introduction 3 2 Staff 4 3 Coursework Components 5 4 Principal Study & Second Study Assessment Requirements for Piano 8 Organ 12 Accordion 16 2
Introduction The Undergraduate Course for keyboard has been designed to offer maximum flexibility in terms of repertoire, performance opportunities and collaborative opportunities. In addition to developing experience and high level skills as soloists, participation in chamber music is strongly encouraged and firmly structured within the course. All piano students are examined in piano duo, song accompaniment and varying piano and instrumental ensembles throughout the four-year duration of the course. Orchestral piano, organ, harpsichord and contemporary ensembles also feature throughout the year and the Conservatoire s historic and reproduction instrument collection, including a newly refurbished Erard Grand from 1850, allows students to explore core repertoire in their appropriate, historical context. Each student receives 90 minutes of one-to-one tuition and there are weekly performance classes dedicated to solo or chamber music. There is also a busy programme of masterclasses and celebrity recitals, which enhance the student experience. Students wishing to play in a performance class should sign their name on sheets posted in the piano corridor. The Undergraduate performance class is scheduled on Tuesdays, from 9 10:30 am in the Guinness Room. Additionally, there is a mixed Undergraduate and Postgraduate performance class for solo or chamber music on Wednesdays from 11am 2 pm in the Concert Hall. The postgraduate performance class meets on Mondays from 10-11 and then again from 1-2pm in the Stevenson Hall. The new Chamber Music Performance Class meets on Wednesday evenings, from 6-9 in Stevenson Hall. Students wishing to perform in a Masterclass should make their request to their principal study teacher. Members of the faculty will then be consulted by the Head of Department for recommendations to participate in any Masterclass. Piano students are assured daily practice time on the Conservatoire s high quality fleet of Steinway, Bechstein and Yamaha grand pianos and a free loan system also operates to provide students with free upright pianos during the academic year. The dedicated organ practice room is 1.61. 3
Staff Pianoforte Aaron Shorr, BMus MMus DipRAM ARAM Head of Keyboard and Collaborative Piano Fali Pavri, MMus ARAM Graeme McNaught Jonathan Plowright, DipRAM ARAM FRAM Sinae Lee, MMus (Distinction) Victor Sangiorgio Emily Jeffrey Isobel Anderson, DRSAM Heather Slade-Lipkin Yoon Kyung Kim James Willshire Clare Sutherland Anne Grace Scott, DipMusEd ARCM Anna Rastoptchina Anna Mavromatidi Norman Beedie International Fellow in Piano Steven Osborne International Fellow in Collaborative Piano Malcolm Martineau International Visiting Professor in Contemporary Improvisation Anto Pett Accordion Djordje Gajic Organ David Hamilton BMus, FRCO Harpsichord Jan Waterfield BA, LRAM 4
Supporting Study Components Keyboard Studies Available in Years Coursework Components I II III IV Performance Class and Mahara Feedback C C C C Masterclasses C C C C Inter-departmental Ensembles Vocal Accompaniment Conducting Alexander Technique Organ/Harpsichord Seminars Baroque Ensemble Chamber Music Performance Classes Piano Technique Class Keyboard Literature Orchestral Piano/Organ/Harpsichord Performance Events 5
Performance Class and Mahara Feedback: Undergraduate Performance Class meets on Tuesdays from 9 10:30 am in the Guinness Room. Students wishing to perform should indicate this on the sign-up sheets located in the keyboard corridor. Attendance is compulsory for all undergraduate keyboard students. Members of the keyboard faculty and invited guests will lead these classes. Additionally, there is a mixed UG/PG performance class held on Wednesdays from 11 2pm in the Stevenson Hall. Attendance is recommended for this class but academic classes or piano lessons should not be missed to attend this Wednesday performance class. A new Chamber Music performance class led by Graeme McNaught will also meet on Wednesdays, from 6-9pm in Stevenson Hall. All performance classes, concerts and Masterclasses are filmed and archived on Mahara. (https://inspire.rcs.ac.uk/mahara/) All students are required to submit six feedback comments on the performances logged on Mahara. Submission is by email directly to the Head of Department a.shorr@rcs.ac.uk. The deadline for submitting Mahara feedback is Friday, 3 May 2013 by 5 pm. Comments can be placed by clicking the feedback button on the bottom left hand of each page containing performances. To submit feedback, simply copy and paste the url s of the pages where you have placed comments. Masterclasses: Masterclasses are held periodically throughout the year and offer students the opportunity to participate or audit these events by musicians of international reputation. Application to play in a Masterclass should first be directed to a student s principal study teacher. All teachers will then be consulted by the Head of Department for appropriate referrals to perform in a Masterclass. (a.shorr@rcs.ac.uk) Inter-departmental Ensembles: Chamber music is strongly encouraged throughout the four-year programme of undergraduate study. Any student wishing to form an ensemble consult the Head of Department, your one to one teacher and Graeme McNaught for assistance in establishing an ensemble or for repertoire advice. Graeme McNaught his leading the new Chamber Performance Class on Wednesday evenings and will assist all students in establishing and coaching collaborative partnerships throughout the year. (g.mcnaught@rcs.ac.uk) Vocal Accompaniment: Opportunities to form partnerships with singers is an important part of the piano department's activities. Students wishing to work with singers may consult the Head of Keyboard, Head of Vocal Performance and Graeme McNaught for assistance in forming vocal partnerships. Alexander Technique: Isobel Anderson offers lessons in Alexander Technique to all interested keyboard players. Contact Isobel via e-mail or register interest in these classes from sign-up posted sheets in the keyboard corridor. (i.anderson@rcs.ac.uk) Piano Technique: Lessons exploring important issues in piano technique are led by Isobel Anderson. All students are eligible to take these lessons and first-year students are strongly encouraged to attend. Contact Isobel directly by e-mail or 6
register interest in the lessons from sign-up sheets posted in the keyboard corridor. (i.anderson@rcs.ac.uk) Conducting: Lessons in conducting will be given to keyboard students by Norman Beedie. These classes are designed to introduce students to the craft of conducting as well as developing required supporting skills in score reading, aural perception and analysis. (n.beedie@rcs.ac.uk ) Keyboard Literature: A series of ten one-hour lectures will be held in Terms 1 and 2. These talks will encompass and explore a wide range of piano literature and will consider specific techniques or contextual issues which can lead to more informed interpretive understanding. Graeme McNaught will direct these classes with additional contributions from visiting lecturers and members of faculty. (g.mcnaught@rcs.ac.uk) Orchestral Piano/Organ/Harpsichord: Students wishing to volunteer for orchestral opportunities should register their interest with the Head of Department at thebeginning of Term 1. Students on the register may then be offered orchestral opportunities as and when they arise throughout the year. Performance Events: Keyboard students can be involved in a wide variety of performance opportunities throughout the year concerts, public competitions, festivals and external concerts. Members of faculty will often be present to provide feedback, advice and encouragement as students acquire experience and develop confidence in public performances. 7
PIANO General Assessment Requirement for Years I III: PIANO Students must present these minimum repertoire requirements before completion of their 3 rd year on the BMus programme. 1. A major contrapuntal work 2. A Sonata from the Classical Period 3. A modern or contemporary work written in the 20 th or 21 st century YEAR I: Principal Study Performance Assessment Requirements: PIANO Performance 1 (Mid-Session Chamber Music Examination) Piano Duo Performance (Piano four hands or Two Pianos four hands) A programme consisting of one or more pieces for four-hand piano repertoire will be presented with fellow 1 st -year students. The programme should be of 12 minutes duration. Piano Solo Performance A free choice programme (within the guidelines of the general assessment requirements for BMus Years I III, above) which must also include one Etude. The programme be of 20 minutes duration. Playing by memory is strongly recommended. Second Study Performance Assessment Requirements: PIANO (Level 1) A programme comprising not less than two contrasting works. Total duration of 10 minutes. 8
YEAR II: Principal Study Performance Assessment Requirements: PIANO Performance 1 (Mid-Session Chamber Music Examination) Piano and Voice Performance: A programme of own choice song repertoire to be presented with, ideally, fellow 2 nd -year voice students. The programme should be of 12 minutes duration. Piano Solo Performance A free choice programme (within the guidelines of the general assessment requirements for BMus Years I III on p. 8) which must also include one Etude. The programme should of 25 minutes duration. Playing by memory is strongly recommended. Second Study Performance Assessment Requirements: PIANO (Level 2) A programme comprising not less than two contrasting works. Total length of 12 minutes. 9
YEAR III: Principal Study Performance Assessment Requirements: PIANO Performance 1 (Mid-Session Chamber Music Examination) Piano and Wind or Piano and Brass or Piano and String Performance A programme of own choice piano/wind or piano/brass or piano/string repertoire to be performed with fellow 3 rd -year instrumentalists. The programme should 20 minutes duration. (Assessed by a Specialist External Examiner, the Head of Department and one other examiner.) Piano Solo Public Performance (Chamber Music Option) A free choice programme of solo music (within the guidelines of the general assessment requirements for BMus Years I III on p. 8) which must also include one Etude. The programme should of 35 minutes duration. Playing by memory is strongly recommended. There is also the option of including chamber music within this programme. If this option is chosen, the chamber music works presented should not exceed 20 minutes. The remainder of the programme will comprise works for solo piano and still must include one etude. Second Study Performance Assessment Requirements: PIANO (Level 3) A programme comprising not less than two contrasting works. Total length to be 12 minutes. 10
YEAR IV: Principal Study Performance Assessment Requirements: PIANO Performance 1 (Mid-Session Concerto Examination) One or more movements from a Piano Concerto will be performed at this examination. The total playing time should be 15 minutes. (Assessed by a Specialist External Examiner, the Head of Department and one other examiner.) Piano Solo Public Performance (Chamber Music Option) A free choice programme of solo piano music and/or chamber music or song accompaniment. The programme is entirely free choice and should reflect the interests, strengths and possible future direction of the performer in the profession. The programme should be of 45 minutes duration. Playing by memory in solo repertoire is strongly recommended. Chamber music or song repertoire can comprise the entire recital or any portion of the allotted time for this recital. Second Study Performance Assessment Requirements: PIANO (Level 4/H) A programme comprising not less than two contrasting works. Total length: 15 minutes. 11
ORGAN General Assessment Requirement for Years I-III: ORGAN Students must present these minimum repertoire requirements before completion of their 3 rd year on the BMus programme. 1. A substantial setting of a chorale or plainsong melody by any Renaissance/Baroque composer (excluding J. S. Bach) 2. One of the Sonatas (BWV 525-530) by J. S. Bach 3. A modern or contemporary work written in the 20 th or 21 st century Year I: Principal Study Performance Assessment Requirements: ORGAN Performance 1 (Mid-Session Improvisation Examination) (Assessed by the Head of Department and one other examiner) Chorale Partita (5-8 mins) Performance 2 (End of Session Examination) (Assessed by the Head of Department and one other examiner) A free choice programme (within the guidelines of the general assessment requirements for BMus Years I III, above). The programme should be of 20 minutes duration. Second Study Performance Assessment Requirements: ORGAN (Level 1) A programme comprising not less than two contrasting works. Total length should be 10 minutes. 12
YEAR II: Principal Study Performance Assessment Requirements: ORGAN Performance 1 (Mid-Session Improvisation Examination) Fantasia on a single theme (8-10 mins) Organ Solo Performance A free choice programme (within the guidelines of the general assessment requirements for BMus Years I III on p. 12) of 25 minutes duration. Second Study Performance Assessment Requirements: ORGAN (Level 2) A programme comprising not less than two contrasting works. Total length of 12 minutes. 13
YEAR III: Principal Study Performance Assessment Requirements: ORGAN Performance 1 (Mid-Session Improvisation Examination Fantasia on a plainsong theme (10-12 mins) (Assessed by a Specialist External Examiner, the Head of Department and one other examiner.) Organ Solo Public Performance A free choice programme of solo music (within the guidelines of the general assessment requirements for BMus Years I III on p. 12). The programme should be of 35 minutes duration. Second Study Performance Assessment Requirements: ORGAN (Level 3) A programme comprising not less than two contrasting works. Total length of 12 minutes. 14
YEAR IV: Principal Study Performance Assessment Requirements: ORGAN Performance 1 (Mid-Session Improvisation Examination) Improvisation(s) on a choice of themes (15-20 mins) (Assessed by a Specialist External Examiner, the Head of Department and one other examiner.) Organ Public Performance A free choice programme of solo organ music. The programme is entirely free choice and should reflect the interests, strengths and possible future direction of the performer in the profession. The programme should be of 45 minutes duration. Second Study Performance Assessment Requirements: ORGAN (Level 4/H) A programme comprising not less than two contrasting works. Total length of 15 minutes. 15
ACCORDION YEAR I: Principal Study Performance Assessment Requirements: ACCORDION Performance 1 (Mid-Session Chamber Music Examination) C, D, B and F Sharp Major and Minor Scales: Two octaves similar and contrary motion(legato and staccato), octaves, major and minor arpeggios (two octaves - similar motion), dominant seventh and diminished arpeggios (two octaves - similar motion), chromatic scale (two octaves - similar motion). AND Two contrasting Sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti. Accordion Solo Performance A free choice programme. The programme should be of 20 minutes duration. Playing by memory is strongly recommended. Second Study Performance Assessment Requirements: ACCORDION (Level 1) A programme comprising not less than two contrasting works. Total length: 10 minutes. 16
YEAR II: Principal Study Performance Assessment Requirements: ACCORDION Performance 1 (Mid-Session Chamber Music Examination) F, E flat, A flat/g sharp, D flat/c sharp Major and Minor Scales: Two octaves similar and contrary motion(legato and staccato), octaves, major and minor arpeggios (two octaves - similar motion), dominant seventh and diminished arpeggios (two octaves - similar motion), chromatic scale (two octaves - similar motion). AND Two contrasting Baroque pieces or Baroque Sonata or Prelude and Fugue from Well Tempered Clavier by J.S. Bach. Accordion Solo Performance A free choice programme of 25 minutes duration. Playing by memory is strongly recommended. Second Study Performance Assessment Requirements: ACCORDION (Level 2) A programme comprising not less than two contrasting works. Total length of 12 minutes. 17
YEAR III: Principal Study Performance Assessment Requirements: ACCORDION Performance 1 (Mid-Session Chamber Music Examination) Accordion and Wind or Accordion and Brass or Accordion and String Performance A programme of own choice accordion/wind or accordion/brass or accordion/string repertoire to be performed with fellow 3 rd -year instrumentalists. The programme should be of 20 minutes duration. (Assessed by a Specialist External Examiner, the Head of Department and one other examiner.) Accordion Solo Public Performance (Chamber Music Option) A free choice programme of solo music, which must also include one Etude. The programme should be of 35 minutes duration. Playing from memory is strongly recommended. This recital also holds the option of including chamber music within this programme. If this option is chosen, the chamber music works presented should not exceed 20 minutes. The remainder of the programme will comprise works for solo accordion and still must include one etude. Second Study Performance Assessment Requirements: ACCORDION (Level 3) A programme comprising not less than two contrasting works. Total length of 12 minutes. 18
YEAR IV: Principal Study Performance Assessment Requirements: ACCORDION Performance 1 (Mid-Session Concerto Examination) One or more movements from an Accordion Concerto will be performed at this examination. Total length of 15 minutes. (Assessed by a Specialist External Examiner, the Head of Department and one other examiner.) Accordion Solo Public Performance (Chamber Music Option) A free choice programme of solo accordion music and/or chamber music or song accompaniment. The programme is entirely free choice and should reflect the interests, strengths and possible future direction of the performer in the profession. The programme should 45 minutes duration. Playing by memory in solo repertoire is strongly recommended. Chamber music or song repertoire can comprise the entire recital or any portion of the allotted time for this recital. Second Study Performance Assessment Requirements: ACCORDION (Level 4/H) A programme comprising not less than two contrasting works. Total length of 15 minutes. 19