Piano Performance Course Modules

Piano Performance Course Modules

Program Level 1

Preliminary Session (Weeks 1 – 4)  

Core Course:

-PNO 100: Intro to Piano/Keyboard

Mandatory Courses:  

- SOL 100: Introduction to Solfege  

-MUS 100: Introduction to Applied Music  

-PRF 100: Stage Presence and Performance Practice (basic for eventual recitals)

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First Semester (Weeks 5 – 10)  

Core Courses:

-PNO 110: Introductory Piano Performance Techniques I  

-PNO 111: Piano Sight Reading I  

Mandatory Courses: 

-SOL 110: Solmization for Ear Training I  

-MUS 110: Applied Musicology I – Fundamentals of the Language of Music  

Electives:  

-COM 110: Introduction to Musical Composition 

-MUS 111: Basic Foundations on Rhythm I  

-TEC 110: Introduction to Music Technology I (understanding keyboards, MIDI)

KBD 111: Chord Recognition and Voicing I

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Second Semester (Weeks 11 – 17)

Core Courses:

-PNO 120: Preliminary Piano Performance II  

-PNO 121: Piano Sight Reading II  

Mandatory Courses:  

-SOL 120: Solmization for Ear Training II  

-MUS 120: Applied Musicology II – Applications of the Language of Music I  

Electives: 

-COM 120: Preliminary Composition: First Principles  

-MUS 121: Basic Foundations on Rhythm II

-TEC 120: Introduction to Music Technology II (DAW basics)

Evaluative Sessions:

-TAM 101: First Test of Applied Music  

-RCT 101: First Level Musicians Recitals  

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Program Level 2 – First Semester

Semester Special Features: 

- Paidion Sessions  

- Band Sessions & Out-Stations  

- In-Studio Projects  

Mandatory Courses:

-SOL 200: Ear Training and Key Mastery I  

-MUS 212: Scales, Harmony, and Chord Progressions I  

-SCO 200: Scores for Musicianship  

-MUS 210: Applied Musicology III – Aspects of the Language of Music  

Core Courses: 

-PNO 210: Piano Performance Techniques I  

-PNO 211 / SGT 201: Piano Sheet Music III  

-PNO 200: Piano Scales & Chord Anatomy I  

-KBD 210: Introductory Keyboard Skills  

Elective Course: 

-MUS 200: Applicative History & Genres of Music 

-TEC 200: Introduction to Digital Piano Tools & DAWs

-PNO 215: Ensemble Play (Group Piano Practice or Duo Performance)

- MUS 213: Rhythm and Groove Studies  

- COM 200: Harmonization Techniques for Beginners

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Program Level 2 – Second Semester (Weeks 11–17)

Core Courses:

-PNO 220: Intermediate Piano Performance Techniques II  

-PNO 221: Piano Sight Reading III  

-KBD 220: Functional Keyboard Techniques  

-PNO 222: Accompaniment & Repertoire Studies I

Mandatory Courses:

-SOL 220: Ear Training and Key Mastery II  

-MUS 220: Applied Musicology IV – Thematic Development in Music  

-MUS 221: Harmony & Chord Progressions II  

-SCO 220: Score Analysis and Arrangement I  

Elective Courses:

-COM 210: Songwriting and Lyric Composition I  

-MUS 222: Musical Interpretation and Dynamics  

-TEC 200: Introduction to Digital Piano Tools & DAWs

Evaluative Sessions:

-TAM 201: Intermediate Test of Applied Music  

-RCT 201: Second Level Musicians Recital  

Program Level 3 (Second-Degree Beginner)

First Semester

Core Courses:  

-PNO 310: Intermediate Piano Performance Techniques III  

-PNO 311: Piano Sight Reading IV  

-PNO 312: Accompaniment Styles and Techniques I  

-PNO 313: Scale Expansion: Modes & Modulation  

Mandatory Courses:

-SOL 300: Ear Training: Solfa and Interval Recognition  

-MUS 310: Applied Musicology V – Musical Structure and Form  

-SCO 310: Basic Composition and Score Writing  

-BND 300: Band Sessions I (Live Performance Collaboration)

Elective Courses:  

- TEC 300: DAW Tools for Pianists  

-MUS 311: Piano Literature Across Genres  

Projects & Events: 

-In-Studio Practice (Weekly)

-Out-Station Performance I

-Mid-Semester Group Recital

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Second Semester

Core Courses:

- PNO 320: Functional Piano Techniques & Styles (Gospel, Jazz, Pop)  

-PNO 321: Sight Reading V & Score Interpretation  

-PNO 322: Keyboard Improvisation I

Mandatory Courses:

-SOL 320: Transcription & Dictation  

-MUS 320: Chord Substitutions and Advanced Harmony  

-BND 320: Band Sessions II  

-SCO 320: Score Expansion and Notation II  

Projects & Events:  

-In-Studio Recording Sessions

-Out-Station Performance II

-Applied Recital: Live Performance with Evaluation Panel

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Program Level 4 (First-Degree Intermediate) 

First Semester

Core Courses:  

-PNO 410: Classical Technique Focus (Scales, Etudes, Arpeggios)  

-PNO 411: Keyboard Repertoire Development  

-KBD 410: Advanced Keyboard Musicianship  

-COM 410: Piano Arranging & Songwriting for Ensembles  

Mandatory Courses:  

-SOL 410: Aural Skills: Modulation, Harmony & Melodic Memory  

-MUS 410: Counterpoint & Composition Fundamentals  

-BND 410: Band Sessions III  

-IST 410: In-Studio Projects I: Collaboration with Vocalists

Projects & Events:

-Out-Station III 

-Small Ensemble Recital

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Second Semester

Core Courses: 

-PNO 420: Applied Performance with Dynamics and Expression  

-PNO 421: Functional Piano for Music Directors  

-PNO 422: Piano Improvisation II  

-COM 420: Harmonization and Thematic Development  

Mandatory Courses:

-SOL 420: Dictation: Multi-Part Aural Recognition  

-BND 420: Band Sessions IV – Directed Jam Ensembles  

-IST 420: In-Studio Project II: Arrangement for Recording

Projects & Events:  

-Recital Night: Themed Showcase  

-Mid-Level Studio Track Production 

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Program Level 5 (Internship Phase Begins)  

First Semester

Core Courses:  

-PNO 510: Teaching Practicum: Piano Pedagogy I  

-IST 510: Studio Internships: Pre-Production Roles  

-PNO 511: Collaborative Repertoire (With Vocalist, Instrumentalists)  

Mandatory Courses:

-PRF 510: Stage Craft & Performance Psychology  

-BND 510: Band Sessions V – Performance Rehearsals  

-COM 510: Advanced Songwriting for Performance & Production  

Projects & Events: 

Internship Begins 

-Live Studio Performances

-Out-Station IV: Public Venue Performance

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Second Semester

Core Courses:

-PNO 520: Live Arrangement and Directing from the Piano  

-IST 520: Studio Internship II – Session Coordination  

-PNO 521: Accompaniment Techniques for Stage and Studio  

Mandatory Courses: 

-BND 520: Band Sessions VI – Touring Ensemble  

-COM 520: Music Arrangement for Multisets  

-PRF 520: Stage & Media Readiness  

Projects & Events:

Open Studio Day (Peer & Mentor Review) 

-Intra-City Tour Begins

-First Portfolio Submission

Program Level 6 (Second-Degree Intermediate)

First Semester

Core Courses: 

-PNO 610: Genre Specialization – Jazz OR Classical Track  

-PNO 611: Piano Directing for Live Sets  

-IST 610: Studio Production Planning & Collaboration  

Mandatory Courses:

-BND 610: Band Sessions VII  

-COM 610: Piano Score for Short Films/Live Drama  

-MUS 610: Introduction to Piano for Worship Leading  

Projects & Events:

-Collaborative Album Project (Team-Based)  

-Out-Station V

-Second Portfolio

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Second Semester

Core Courses:  

-PNO 620: Extended Techniques & Experimental Piano  

-PNO 621: Accompaniment Mastery (Choirs & Ensembles)  

-IST 620: Studio Internship III – Production Assistant Role  

Mandatory Courses:

-BND 620: Live Band Recording Project  

-COM 620: Advanced Composition in Ensembles  

-PRF 620: Artist Branding and Show Production  

Projects & Events:  

-Intra-City Tour II

-ReHearsal House Live Room Session

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Program Level 7 (Transition Phase 1)

Core Focus: 

-Leadership in Music Directing 

-Artist Coaching Sessions 

-Live Performance Management

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Program Level 8 (Transition Phase 2)  

Focus Areas:

-Portfolio Building 

-Media & Press Projects  

-Final Recital Preparation 

-Studio Album / EP Completion

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Program Level 9 (Transition Phase 3 – Capstone)

Final Modules: 

-PNO 920: Capstone Piano Project (Performance + Arrangement + Recording)  

-IST 920: Internship IV – Production Lead Role  

-BND 920: Graduation Showcase Ensemble  

-PRF 920: Stage-Ready Performance: Final Showcase  

-MUS 920: Business of Music: Monetizing Your Piano Skill