The piano proficiency exam is administered by the faculty in your area (voice, conducting, theory, history), and must be passed by the end of the semester preceding the semester of graduation. There are no set times for the proficiency to be administered; scheduling is done on an individual basis. Please consult with your principal instructor to arrange a time.
Vocal Performance Concentration
May be taken in any semester, but must be passed by the end of the semester prior to the semester in which you intend to graduate.
Requirements:
- an accompaniment for an Italian art song (this will be assigned by the vocal faculty)
- accompaniment for several standard vocal warmup exercise patterns (PDF, 608KB), played chromatically
Conducting Concentration with Choral Emphasis
May be taken in any semester, but must be passed by the end of the semester prior to the semester in which you intend to graduate.
Requirements:
- all major and minor scales, three octaves up and back, and arpeggios
- score-reading from open score in four parts (e.g., string quartet, choral octavo)
- melody-reading for transposing instruments (e.g., B-flat clarinet)
Conducting Concentration with Orchestral Emphasis
May be taken in any semester, but must be passed by the end of the semester prior to the semester in which you intend to graduate.
Please consult the conducting faculty for proficiency requirements.
Conducting Concentration with Band Emphasis
Students emphasizing band conducting do not have to satisfy a piano proficiency; consult the conducting faculty regarding skills to cultivate instead.
