Piano Performance
The Piano major is designed to prepare you for a career in private studio teaching, teaching in a Christian school, as well as to do graduate work in pedagogy or performance. The program provides both the breadth and specialization of a music conservatory plus broad liberal arts training in a thoroughly Christian setting. Music instruction is offered without cost above the regular tuition.
Curriculum Highlights
- Freshman
- Basic Harmony I & II
- Basic Aural Skills I & II
- Introduction to Music Literature
- Freshman Piano
- Sophomore
- Advanced Harmony I & II
- Advanced Aural Skills I & II
- Introduction to Music Technology
- Elements of Conducting
- Sophomore Piano
- Junior
- History of Music I & II
- Eighteenth Century Counterpoint
- Junior Piano
- Senior
- History of Music III
- Piano Literature Survey
- The Christian Musician
- Piano Pedagogy
- Senior Piano
For further details see complete major information:
Piano Performance Personal Opportunity Profile
You may also contact Admissions (1.800.BJ.AND.ME) to receive a printed copy of this information.
Key Courses
Introduction to Music Technology This course will take you on a tour of digital equipment used in musical projects such as composition/arranging, sequencing (multi-track recording), and computer-assisted instruction. You will become familiar with the Alesis QS7 synthesizer with its patches and mixes, and you will use these sounds in your projects. You also will discover methods of inputting musical notes, recording music, assigning sounds to various tracks, and scanning a piece of music for further editing.
Notation in Music Technology In this elective course you will study the principles of musical typesetting, survey several prominent music notation software packages such as Sibelius, Encore and Overture, and learn Finale in some depth. You'll learn the basics: formatting a score, inputting music with or without a keyboard (including step time and real time), as well as transposing and printing a score, extracting parts, and playing back your music.
The Christian Musician This course will guide you in your development of a distinctly Christian philosophy of music based on and in agreement with Scripture. You will examine twentieth-century trends, styles, and movements in secular and church music in the light of Scripture.
Introduction to Music Literature In this class you will study a general survey of music literature leading you to an understanding of the basic structures, forms, and styles of music. You will survey selected works from the major style periods, stressing listening, analysis, and application of basic music theory.
Piano Pedagogy I In this class you will learn the principles of good piano teaching methods as they apply to the private lesson. You will study the various schools of piano technique, business procedures and studio policies.
Career Opportunities
Our alumni are serving in church music ministries throughout the country. In addition, our graduates are teaching in Christian schools and public schools in every part of the U.S. and are on the faculties of most of the major Fundamental Bible colleges and universities. A number of our graduates also have successful careers as private studio teachers.