School of Music

Piano Proficiency

All students in the School of Music must successfully complete a piano proficiency examination as a requirement for graduation; there are five components to the examination.

A. Proficiency Examinations for Non-Keyboard Majors

Proficiency examinations are administered near the end of the semester, usually on the next-to-last Friday of classes. Students must prepare all portions for their first exam attempt. A committee of no fewer than three individuals hears the examinations. Students take the examination on the advice of their teacher. The general goal is to take the examination by the end of the fourth semester, but it may be taken sooner if the teacher feels that the student is ready. Any portions not passed will be retaken in subsequent semesters. Passing the proficiency exam is a requirement for graduation, and students must remain registered for piano (class or individual lessons) until this requirement is completed.

The requirements for non-keyboard majors are as follows: (click here for examples)

1. Be prepared to perform all major and harmonic minor scales, four octaves, hands together in parallel motion. Minimum tempo: 80 to the beat with two notes per beat.
2. Be prepared to perform all major and minor arpeggios, four octaves, hands together in parallel motion. Minimum tempo: 63 to the beat with two notes per beat.
3. Sight-read a keyboard work equivalent in difficulty to Beethoven’s Romance.
4. Prepare a work of advanced-elementary to lower-intermediate difficulty. The piece is to be learned independently within 48 hours and is distributed by the Coordinator of Keyboard Studies. Memorization is not required.
5. Perform a memorized work. Minimum requirement is Schumann’s Wild Horseman.

B. Proficiency Examinations for Keyboard Majors

Proficiency examinations for keyboard majors are administered near the end of each semester. It is suggested that students plan to take the proficiency exam by the end of the third semester. Completion of the proficiency exam is a requirement for graduation.

The requirements for keyboard majors are as follows:

1. Be prepared to perform all major and minor scales, four octaves, hands together in parallel motion. Minimum tempo: 100-112 to the beat with four notes per beat.
2. Be prepared to perform all major and minor arpeggios, four octaves, hands together in parallel motion. Minimum tempo: 84-92 to the beat with four notes per beat.
3. Sight-read a solo vocal line with the accompaniment. Melody must be accurate and all essential harmonies present. Minimum level: Fauré’s En prière.
4. Sight-read a solo keyboard work or instrumental accompaniment. Minimum level: Grieg’s Lyric Piece, Op. 12, No.2.
5. Perform a keyboard work prepared independently within 48 hours. The work is distributed by the Coordinator of Keyboard Studies and does not need to be memorized. Minimum level: Mendelssohn’s Song Without Words, Op. 19, No.4.

Frequently Asked Questions

Assessment of Student Work