Offered in: Chicago

The goals of the piano program are to prepare students for multifaceted performance careers - as soloists, collaborative pianists, and chamber musicians - and to provide the skills and pedagogical foundation necessary for productive teaching.

The objectives of the undergraduate program are to:

• Acquaint students with the extensive piano literature through the study and performance of a representative cross-section of standard repertoire from all stylistic periods, while systematically developing technical facility;

• Enhance collaborative and practical skills;

• Develop musicianship, analytical ability, and knowledge of musical style;

• Introduce the principles and methods of teaching piano to children and young adults, from beginning through early advanced levels;

• Support the music curriculum through a range of general education coursework.

All jury and recital repertoire requirements are listed on the Requirements tab within the academic catalog.

Admission requirements

Please consult the CCPA Admission and Audition Information web page for audition requirements for piano.  

Grade Requirements:

• Applied Lessons: C- is the minimum passing grade for PIA 211 PIANO (LOWER DIV). B- is the minimum passing grade for PIA 311 PIANO (MAJOR).
• Recitals: B- is the minimum passing grade for PERF 313 JUNIOR RECITAL and PERF 314 SENIOR RECITAL.
• Juries: B- is the minimum passing grade for PERF 261 JURY (LOWER DIV) and PERF 361 JURY (UPPER DIV).

GPA Requirements:

Students must earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in all major subject area coursework, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 across all core, elective, and general education courses.

Residency Requirements:

The final 30 credit hours toward a student's degree must be completed at Roosevelt University, or a minimum of 60 hours must be taken in residence at Roosevelt University.

Course Requirements

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Ensemble participation is a defining element of conservatory training and reflects the collaborative practices of professional musicians. Students in the Interdisciplinary Conservatory are expected to participate each semester in any ensembles to which they are assigned by the relevant instructor-of-record, in consultation with the Program Director and Academic Advisor. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Students enrolled in ensembles as zero-credit participants (by assignment or with special permission) receive a grade and are expected to complete the same requirements as students enrolled for credit. Ensemble assignments are made at the beginning of each semester following placement and seating auditions.

Recital Repertoire

PERF 313 JUNIOR RECITAL

45 minutes of music is required, at least 30 minutes of which must consist of new material. Abbreviated performance of works that are customarily performed in their entirety (e.g. sonatas) is not permitted. The recital must include representative works from at least four stylistic periods. The student may petition to include only three stylistic periods if, in the aggregate, the time requirement is met. Both the Program Director of Piano and the applied instructor must approve the program. The recital will be graded by the applied instructor.

PERF 314 SENIOR RECITAL

60 minutes of music is required, at least 30 minutes of which must consist of new material, and the program may not include works performed on the junior recital. Abbreviated performance of works that are customarily performed in their entirety (e.g. sonatas) is not permitted. The recital must include representative works from at least four stylistic periods. The student may petition to include only three stylistic periods if, in the aggregate, the time requirement is met. Both the Program Director of Piano and the applied instructor must approve the program. The recital will be graded by the applied instructor.

Jury Repertoire

Repertoire requirements for juries must encompass six stylistic categories:
1.     Early Music
2.    Classical
3.    Romantic
4.    Impressionist
5.    Early Modern (non-impressionist works composed before 1950)
6.    Contemporary (works composed in 1950 or later)

SOCIAL JUSTICE REQUIREMENT

Students should play one work that closely aligns with Roosevelt University’s mission of Social Justice, giving a voice to a composer representing populations that have been historically discriminated against and/or marginalized. Some examples of this could include (but not be limited to) composers that are: BIPOC, female, LGBTQ+, oppressed individuals residing in a student’s country of origin (or having once resided), and other underrepresented ethnicities and minorities. It is hoped that by championing a work outside of the “canon”, our students could become greater advocates for more representation and diversity within the classical music field. This may serve as either a seventh category or fulfill an existing one.

Jury I (first semester) – 15 minutes

Repertoire will span three stylistic periods, inclusive of one brilliant étude, at least a movement of a classical sonata, plus one other contrasting work (per the major teacher’s discretion, the required early music work may be presented at this time or during Jury II).  C- is the minimum passing grade.

Jury II (second semester) – 15 minutes

Repertoire will span three stylistic periods, inclusive of one brilliant étude (different from the one presented at Jury I), the remaining movements of the classical sonata presented during Jury I (if the entire sonata was presented during Jury I, a piece of contrasting character from other stylistic periods may substituted), plus one other contrasting work (if the required early music work was not presented at Jury I, it must be presented here). C- is the minimum passing grade.

Jury III (third semester) – 15 minutes
Repertoire will span three stylistic periods, inclusive of one brilliant étude (different from those presented at Juries I-II), at least a movement of a classical sonata, plus one other contrasting work (per the major teacher’s discretion, the required early music work may be presented at this time or during Jury IV). C- is the minimum passing grade.

Jury IV (fourth semester) – 15 minutes  
Repertoire will span three stylistic periods, inclusive of one brilliant étude (different from those presented at Juries I-III), the remaining movements of the classical sonata presented during Jury III (if the entire sonata was presented during Jury III, a piece of contrasting character from other stylistic periods may substituted), plus one other contrasting work (if the required early music work was not presented at Jury III, it must be presented here). B- is the minimum passing grade.

Jury V (fifth semester) – 15 minutes
Jury repertoire will span three contrasting stylistic periods, presenting pieces intended for inclusion on the junior degree recital program that were not presented at previous juries. B- is the minimum passing grade.

Jury VI (seventh semester) – 20 minutes
Jury repertoire will span three contrasting stylistic periods, presenting pieces intended for inclusion on the senior degree recital program that were not presented at previous juries. B- is the minimum passing grade.

Technique Requirements

PIA 215 TECHNIQUE EXAMINATION

Technique Exam Part 1 is performed as a component of Jury II; Technique Exam Part 2 is performed as a component of Jury IV. Together, these two exams comprise the PIA 215 Technique Examination course. Graded by the piano faculty as a pass or fail course, a passing grade for both parts is required to proceed into the upper division. Details listing all of the included skills for the Technique Exam are provided in the Piano Program Curriculum, disseminated annually to all applied piano students by the Program Director of Piano.

This degree map outlines a suggested pathway through the required courses for the program. Students are responsible for understanding all curricular requirements and course schedules. While alternate pathways are possible, students are strongly encouraged to consult with their academic advisor when planning their course of study to ensure that their degree plan meets program requirements and supports their individual goals.

A full-time undergraduate course load consists of 12–18 credits per semester.