Bachelor of Music: Piano
Program Overview
Piano at Westminster Choir College has multiple dimensions at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. It fosters the development of students who perform on a high level as soloists, as artist-teachers and as collaborators with other performing artists.
Our program helps to develop a strong foundation of technique and knowledge of piano literature and style. The department also provides instruction for undergraduate students who need keyboard skills in order to function effectively throughout their professional careers.
Curriculum Overview
Undergraduate Piano Primary: Piano primary students majoring in sacred music, B.A. in music, music education, or theory/composition are expected to play once each semester in a performance class. Seniors give a full or half recital. Freshmen have required juries at the end of each semester; sophomores and juniors, at the end of each year.
Undergraduate Piano Secondary: All undergraduate voice primary students must enroll for piano secondary study until completing the undergraduate piano secondary curriculum course sequence. Instruction is in the form of piano classes. Placement in the class by level is determined at the beginning of each semester. Instruction entails study and performance of piano literature from the Baroque through the 21st Century as well as development of proficiency in areas of functional keyboard skills. For more details about the Piano Secondary curriculum, please refer to the Piano Department page in this catalog.
Piano as an Elective: Students may elect private instruction in piano for credit. There are no audition requirements, but an extra fee is charged.
Piano Pedagogy Lab: This is a required graduate Piano Pedagogy course for the purpose of problem solving related to piano teaching. The class format includes open discussion of observations, supervised and independent teaching, questions relating to repertoire, materials, and technique, comparative philosophies and psychologies and their applications, group and private teaching, business issues (e.g. studio policies), use of technology, professional organizations and publications, recital and audition preparation, and parent education.
Piano Studio and Performance Class: This is a weekly recital and lecture hour during which performances are given by students, faculty members, and guest performers. Attendance and participation at weekly studio and performance classes is required for all undergraduate and graduate piano primary students. All Westminster students are invited to attend.
Degrees Offered
- B.M. in Piano
Contact
Margaret Cusack
Professor and Chairperson
Erdman Hall 26
609-921-7100, ext. 8253
mcusack@rider.edu
Ingrid Clarfield
Professor
Erdman Hall 11
609-921-7100, ext. 8290
clarfield@rider.edu
Program Website: www.rider.edu/piano/
Associated Department: Department of Piano and Voice
Related Programs
Faculty
Ingrid Clarfield • Professor, Piano, 1982. B.M., Oberlin College; M.M., Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester.
Dalton Baldwin • Adjunct Professor, Piano, 1984. B.A., Oberlin Conservatory.
Ena Bronstein Barton • Adjunct Associate Professor, Piano, 1983. Artist Diploma, Escuela Moderna de Musica and Conservatorio Nacional de Musica, Santiago, Chile.
James Goldsworthy • Professor, Piano, 1996. B.M., M.M., Southern Methodist University; D.M.A., Stanford University.
Phyllis Lehrer • Professor, Piano, 1975. A.B., University of Rochester; M.S., Juilliard School.
Thomas Parente • Associate Professor, Piano, 1993. B.A., Jersey City State College; B.M., Manhattan School of Music; M.A., Rutgers University; Dalcroze Eurhythmics License, Longy School of Music; Ed.D., Teachers College, Columbia University.
J.J. Penna • Associate Professor, Piano, 1996. B.M., Binghamton University; D.M.A., University of Michigan.
Agnes Poltorak • Adjunct Assistant Professor, Piano, 2000. B.M., University of British Columbia, Canada; M.M., Westminster Choir College of Rider University.
Betty Handelman Stoloff • Adjunct Associate Professor, Piano, 1978. B.M.A., University of Michigan; M.A., Columbia University.
Piano Program Requirements
Learn more about General Undergraduate Requirements.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Choirs and Conducting | ||
CR 109 | Chapel Choir (2 terms) | 2 |
CR 209 | Schola Cantorum (2 terms) | 2 |
CR 509 | Symphonic Choir (4 terms) | 4 |
CR 215 | Fundamentals of Conducting | 3 |
Applied Music | ||
PI 101A | Piano Primary (2 terms) | 4 |
PI 201A | Piano Primary (2 terms) | 4 |
PI 301A | Piano Primary (2 terms) | 4 |
PI 401A | Piano Primary (2 terms) | 4 |
Voice Secondary (4 terms) | 4 | |
Theory and Music History | ||
TH 141 & TH 142 & TH 241 | Musicianship I and Musicianship II and Musicianship III | 12 |
TH 342 | Contemporary Trends | 3 |
Theory level I elective | 3 | |
Theory level II elective | 3 | |
MH 247 & MH 248 | Music Historiography I and Music Historiography II | 6 |
MH 345 | Music Since 1900 | 3 |
Music History elective (MH433 Seminar in Music History) | 3 | |
Professional Studies | ||
PI 297 & PI 298 & PI 397 | Fund of Piano Pedagogy I and Fund of Piano Pedagogy II and Fund of Piano Pedagogy III | 9 |
PI 435 & PI 436 | Survey of Piano Literature I and Survey of Piano Literature II | 6 |
Select two of the following: | 3-4 | |
Accompanying Class (2 credits) | ||
Chamber Music (2 credits) | ||
Piano Ensemble (1 credit) | ||
Arts and Sciences | ||
LL 131 | English Composition | 3 |
Foreign Language I/II (2 courses) | 6 | |
Literature or Philosophy elective | 3 | |
Social/Behavioral/Natural Science elective | 3 | |
History elective | 3 | |
Arts & Sciences electives (4 courses) | 12 | |
Free Electives | ||
Free Electives | 12 | |
Total Credits | 124-125 |
Notes
1 | Attendance at weekly studio/performance classes is required during all semesters of applied study. |
2 | A half recital must be presented in the junior year. A full recital must be presented in the senior year. All recitals must receive prior departmental approval. |
3 | If students are exempted from one or more semesters of foreign language study, they must replace the missing credits with other Arts & Sciences electives. |
Academic Plan of Study
The following educational plan is provided as a sample only. Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year; who change their major; or those who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure a timely graduation. Each student, with guidance from his or her academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.
Year 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Credits | |
CR 109 | Chapel Choir | 1 |
PI 101A | Piano Primary | 2 |
VC 103 | Voice Secondary | 1 |
TH 141 | Musicianship I | 4 |
LL 131 | English Composition | 3 |
Literature or Philosophy Elective | 3 | |
Free Electives | 2 | |
Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
Spring Semester | ||
CR 109 | Chapel Choir | 1 |
PI 101A | Piano Primary | 2 |
VC 103 | Voice Secondary | 1 |
TH 142 | Musicianship II | 4 |
Social/Behavioral/Natural Science elective | 3 | |
Arts and Sciences elective | 3 | |
Free elective | 2 | |
Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
Year 2 | ||
Fall Semester | ||
CR 209 | Schola Cantorum | 1 |
PI 201A | Piano Primary | 2 |
VC 203 | Voice Secondary | 1 |
TH 241 | Musicianship III | 4 |
MH 247 | Music Historiography I | 3 |
PI 297 | Fund of Piano Pedagogy I | 3 |
Foreign Language I | 3 | |
Semester Credit Hours | 17 | |
Spring Semester | ||
CR 209 | Schola Cantorum | 1 |
PI 201A | Piano Primary | 2 |
VC 203 | Voice Secondary | 1 |
TH 342 | Contemporary Trends | 3 |
MH 248 | Music Historiography II | 3 |
PI 298 | Fund of Piano Pedagogy II | 3 |
Foreign Language II | 3 | |
Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
Year 3 | ||
Fall Semester | ||
CR 509 | Symphonic Choir | 1 |
PI 301A | Piano Primary | 2 |
Theory Level I elective | 3 | |
MH 345 | Music Since 1900 | 3 |
PI 397 | Fund of Piano Pedagogy III | 3 |
PI 435 | Survey of Piano Literature I | 3 |
Free elective | 2 | |
Semester Credit Hours | 17 | |
Spring Semester | ||
CR 509 | Symphonic Choir | 1 |
PI 301A | Piano Primary | 2 |
Theory Level II elective | 3 | |
MH 433 | Seminar in Music History | 3 |
Arts & Sciences elective | 3 | |
Select one of the following: | 1-2 | |
Accompanying Class or Chamber Music or Piano Ensemble |
||
Free elective | 3 | |
Semester Credit Hours | 16-17 | |
Year 4 | ||
Fall Semester | ||
CR 509 | Symphonic Choir | 1 |
PI 401A | Piano Primary | 2 |
CR 215 | Fundamentals of Conducting | 3 |
PI 436 | Survey of Piano Literature II | 3 |
PI 413 or PI 512 |
Accompanying Class or Chamber Music |
2 |
Arts and Sciences elective | 3 | |
Semester Credit Hours | 14 | |
Spring Semester | ||
CR 509 | Symphonic Choir | 1 |
PI 401A | Piano Primary | 2 |
Arts and Sciences elective | 3 | |
Free elective | 3 | |
History elective | 3 | |
Semester Credit Hours | 12 | |
Total Credit Hours for Graduation | 124-125 |
Courses and Descriptions
PI 101A Piano Primary 2 Credits
PI 201A Piano Primary 2 Credits
PI 297 Fund of Piano Pedagogy I 3 Credits
Fundamentals I is devoted to study of techniques, methods, and materials suitable for beginning through early intermediate level students. Other areas of study include motivational strategies, establishment of effective practice habits, recital preparation, technique, and elementary duet materials. Students analyze and demonstrate teaching from three different beginning piano methods. Observation of professional teaching is done in the context of class and private lessons at the Westminster Conservatory.
PI 298 Fund of Piano Pedagogy II 3 Credits
In Fundamentals II, students continue to apply their experience with piano methods to the teaching of students. In addition, the semester is devoted to the study of materials from all style periods for upper elementary and intermediate level students. Students observe private and group lessons appropriate to these levels. The course culminates in an individual lecture recital demonstrating music from a variety of style periods.
Prerequisite(s): PI 297.
PI 301A Piano Primary 2 Credits
PI 397 Fund of Piano Pedagogy III 3 Credits
Fundamentals III involves supervised private and group teaching of beginning students. Emphasis is placed on lesson planning, presentation of concepts, use of technology, and the relationship between technique and musicianship skills. The course further addresses the different psychological and methodological approaches to teaching adults and children in class and private settings, and includes an overview of materials for the adult student and group classes. The course culminates in a lecture recital on a pedagogical subject of the students choice.
PI 401A Piano Primary 2 Credits
PI 413 Accompanying Class 2 Credits
This course is designed with the twofold purpose of allowing undergraduate pianists to fulfill their piano ensemble elective requirement within the professional studies area as well as providing an opportunity for voice primary students to further their piano study in a challenging forum in situations directly related to their repertoire. The students in the class will receive instruction in the stylistic, technical, analytical and linguistic aspects of vocal literature. The many issues involved in vocal collaboration will be discussed along with in-depth study of the pianist’s role in musical partnerships. Issues of musical freedom, language, and the varieties of sonic treatment unique to vocal literature will be discussed. Italian, French, German and English song repertoire from various style periods will provide the assignments for performance and discussion.
PI 435 Survey of Piano Literature I 3 Credits
A study of representative works from 1650-1800 by composers including J. S. Bach, C.P.E. Bach, J.C. Bach, Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven.
Prerequisite(s): MH 248.
PI 436 Survey of Piano Literature II 3 Credits
A study of representative works from 1800 to the present by composers including Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Brahms, Debussy, Ravel, Prokofiev, and Bartók.
Prerequisite(s): MH 248.
PI 512 Chamber Music 2 Credits
Emphasis is placed upon rehearsal and performances of representative collaborative literature for strings and piano, and woodwinds and piano. Students will be assigned movements from major chamber works selected from different style periods. Professional instrumentalists will join them for rehearsals and performances in class. An overview of the development of this repertoire will be presented and listening assignments will augment the study of specific works. A project involving the study and presentation of a piano quartet or piano quintet will be included. Attendance at three concerts of instrumental chamber music is required. Permission of applied teacher and instructor is required.
PI 513 Jazz Keyboard/Improv 3 Credits
This course will enable pianists and organists to become familiar with the theory, harmony, and improvisational techniques of jazz piano. Emphasis will be placed upon getting each student to create spontaneous improvisations. The fundamental goal will be that of enabling students accustomed to following a score to move beyond it. Extensive exposure to material from the "Great American Songbook" as well as to jazz standards will provide a structural basis for the course.
Prerequisite(s): TH 142 and PI 201, or equivalent knowledge and technical proficiency.
PI 516 Physical/Psych Aspects Piano 2 Credits
The two major emphases of this course are: (1) the pianist as athlete and 2) the pianist as performer. The first includes a study of appropriate exercise, nutrition, anatomy and physiology as they relate to piano technique, implications for injury prevention, and how to deal with injuries should they occur. The second includes the reading process, strategies for practicing, memorizing techniques, and ways of coping with the behavioral, physical and cognitive manifestations of performance anxiety.
PI 540 Keyboard Skills 3 Credits
The course includes in-depth study of numerous aspects of musicianship skills essential for all pianists within the broader categories of technique and practice strategies; memorization and sight reading; improvisation and lead sheet realization. All aspects of piano musicianship skills will be addressed from practical, pedagogical, and collaborative points of view. Assignments will include examples of studies from a wide range of levels all within the current and developing skill level of each student enrolled in the class.
Prerequisite(s): UG - Eight credits of applied keyboard study or permission of keyboard instructor or course instructor. GR - Permission of course instructor.
PI 585 Piano Ensemble 1 Credits
Study and performance of piano duets, two-piano works, and works for combinations of three or more pianists. The emphasis is on ensemble techniques for rehearsal and performance.