PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Progress: The student must make satisfactory progress in the chosen private study, and elected musicology class over the course of each term, and must complete the requirements within one academic year.

Advancement: The student’s advancement to the next level is determined by successful completion of all the required materials at the current level. In addition to the technique, repertoire and performance requirements specified by department for each instrument, the student must complete certain musicology courses at each level as listed below prior to advancement. If a student fails a required musicology course, it must be retaken. Optional musicology courses do not have to be retaken, providing the student has completed enough courses as required by the level.

Performance Requirements: Each student in Levels 5 & 6 is required to perform solo publicly at least once each year. Each student in Levels 7, 8, & 9 is required to perform solo publicly at least twice each year. Each student in Levels 10, 11 & 12 is required to perform solo publicly at least three times each year. The student must perform a different repertoire piece at each recital appearance, but may perform a repeat piece if it is the second piece and has not been performed previously by the student at the same venue (PPTA or KMI). Students are encouraged to perform at each KMI sponsored recital as well as any outside recitals available. (See Performance for more information on recitals, ensembles, competitions and other performance opportunities).

Competitions, Junior Year Recitals and Senior Year Recitals count as performance events, but juried evaluations and studio class do not count. Solos in ensemble performance count toward this requirement only if the solo is a featured work such as a concerto or aria, but not when it is a short solo within a larger work. Piano accompanying of choruses or instrumental/vocal soloists counts as solo performance for the pianist. Piano or organ performance at church services also does not count as solo performance. Participating in the pit band or large ensemble on any instrument does not count as solo performance unless the student was also the rehearsal pianist for the show.

Required Musicology Courses: For each level of the Young Artist Program only three courses in musicology are required. Since there are three terms in the year, and the Young Artist student is entitled to a second course during the Summer Term, the student is free to take one additional elective course each year.

The student is expected to have completed 7 musicology courses for each 2 years, therefore advancement into Level 7 requires completion of the 6 required courses plus at least 1 elective course.

Competition: All Young Artist Students are required to participate in at least one competition in order to graduate from Level 9 into Level 10 and must participate in at least one competition in Levels 10 – 12 in order to be considered for Audition Preparation. (See A Career in Music).

Juried Evaluations: Many professional organizations provide programmed evaluations for young musicians. They are conducted by outside teachers, and they grade the students against a syllabus or standards guideline. All KMI piano students are required to participate in the Pittsburgh Piano Teachers Association (PPTA) Evaluations (in May each year). Students of other instruments will be required to participate in similar evaluations programs as the KMI faculty become aware of them, and take the necessary steps to make our students eligible for participation.

Ensemble: All non-piano students are required to participate in at least one large ensemble each year. This may be the school chorus, band or orchestra, or a city-wide ensemble such as the Pittsburgh Sinfonietta. Each student must consult with her or his teacher about selecting the appropriate ensemble. Piano students who are not studying a secondary instrument are strongly encouraged to participate in the school chorus.

Studio Class: All students in the Music Appreciation and Young Artist Programs share in a monthly studio class. Groups of students are assigned by level, with a limit of 10 per class. Students are required to attend 4 each term, and are required to perform at studio class at least twice per term. If a student cannot attend a scheduled studio class, they can make it up by attending one of the classes at the next more advanced level. However, performance must be at the student’s regularly assigned studio class.

Instrument: All students must have a working instrument in their home on which they can practice. String students must have a working instrument that is the appropriate size, and it must be replaced as the student grows. Piano students must have a real acoustic piano (upright or grand), or a digital piano with full size keys, all 88 keys, touch sensitivity, weighted keys, and a working “damper” style pedal. Any student who wishes to participate in competitions at the Junior or Senior levels or is preparing for audition to college, must have an acoustic piano. Acoustic pianos must be maintained, and tuned at least once each year.

Other Equipment: The student must have a music carrying case, a metronome, and if applicable a music stand and mirror. The faculty will advise parents of other important items to have according to the instrument.

DOWNLOAD YOUNG ARTIST APPLICATION

(See BEYOND BEGINNER for more understanding of music study at the intermediate and advanced levels.)

(See SERIOUS STUDENTS for more understanding of serious study at these levels.)