Piano Studies

Applied Piano

• Applied piano study is available to majors and non-majors. The numerous performance opportunities include weekly departmental convocations, Honors Recitals, studio classes, master classes with the piano faculty and guest artists, and community events. DSU student pianists regularly participate in piano competitions and festivals to develop their skills and increase their knowledge of the piano repertoire.

Collaborative Piano

• The collaborative piano experience is an  important component of the piano curriculum at Delta State. Students have the opportunity to play with other musicians in a duo or chamber music setting or with a choral ensemble. Piano students learn various aspects of collaborative piano playing, including rehearsal techniques and score markings. They are assigned to work with other music students to experience the collaborative process through rehearsals and performances.

Piano Pedagogy and Piano Preparatory Program

• The DSU Piano Program offers an opportunity for music majors with a piano emphasis to develop their teaching skills and gain teaching experience through the DSU Piano Preparatory Program. The Piano Preparatory Program offers individual and group study opportunities for pre-college students. DSU student pianists may be employed as student teachers for the Piano Preparatory Program upon completion of the piano pedagogy course, teaching observations, practice teaching sessions, and recommendation of the piano faculty.

Group Piano

• We offer group piano courses for music majors and non-music majors.
• All entering freshman music majors are required to register for MUS 107 and 108 Introductory Group Piano for their first year at DSU. Students in B.M. and B.M.E. will continue to register for MUS 207 and 208 Intermediate Group Piano during their sophomore year. In association with music theory courses, the group piano courses for music majors enable students to develop their music-reading and keyboard skills through chord approach, keyboard harmony, transposition, and solo and ensemble playing. Students in group piano present in-class recitals on their piano solo and ensemble repertoire each semester.
• All entering transfer students must consult with Dr. Fosheim or Dr. Shin to ensure proper placement in a piano class.
• For non-music majors, MUS102 Beginning Group Piano for Adults is designed for those new to piano study and as a refresher course for those who previously studied as a youth. Topics covered include introduction to music reading and basic piano techniques.

Piano Proficiency Examination

• The Piano Proficiency Examination is required of all students in the B.M.E. and B.M. degrees. Students in the B.M.E. degree must complete all areas of the examination prior to directed teaching internship. B.M. students must complete all areas prior to graduation. Music majors in the B.M. and B.M.E. degrees must be continuously enrolled in group piano classes or MUS 300 Piano Proficiency until completion of the piano proficiency examination.  Please review all the requirements for the Piano Proficiency Examination in the DSU Music Department Student Handbook.