<p>Not so sure about when you place out of the MT group piano classes........believe me when I tell you that my D is NO pianist (one year of lessons at age 6, I think.) She did not offer to play a prepared piece (it would have been quite humorous if they had made her try....) but she had enough music theory in high school and sightreading practice from school choir and voice lessons to play scales when asked to do so during her UM piano/music theory "audition" so was placed in what she was told was the "middle level" of piano placement for MT's last year. Her sequence was Piano 111 in the Fall and 112 in the Spring so I'm not sure that 112 or above actually places out altogether.</p>
<p>As always, when this becomes a reality for this year's auditioners (fingers crossed for you all!!) they can check with the department as to what this placement means or wait and it will be explained during the summer orientation session. </p>
<p>My D actually got so much out of her freshman UM piano classes. It was a struggle at first but she feels they have made a big difference in her ability to search for and learn repertoire. Time permitting I know she hopes to continue her piano instruction privately at some point.</p>
<p>I agree with you theatermom. Sometimes I think testing out of piano isn't such a great thing to do. Piano skills are the most basic element of any music career. I can understand wanting to do well in that audition because I DO believe it helps with admittance (every little bit helps), but the testing out part sometimes isn't the outcome that is best for lots of people. </p>
<p>Unlness they have changed the piano requirements for MT's, 112 is the third and last level they must successfully master.</p>
<p>Yes, that's why I was explaining that even with placing into 115, my daughter really loves and cares about piano playing so she inquired about opportunities to take piano out of choice, even if placing out of the required piano classes for the MT major and was told there were opportunities to do so. That's why I was passing it on because it appears someone on this thread also placed into 115 and I thought I would put that out there for those who wish to continue at some level of piano study.</p>
<p>Hope I didn't create any confusion about the "levels" for piano....I was just passing on info we had from last year's audition process. (And as has been said time and time again here...don't count on LAST year to be the same THIS year!) My D, too, "tested out" of her piano requirement (though she is a VP, not an MT major) but has decided to resume her piano training while at UM. She loves loves loves her piano teacher and was lucky enough to be placed in a section with only 3 students in the class so is getting lots of individual attention. Actually, UM's attention to piano training is one of the reasons D was so interested in UM from the very beginning. So few MT programs place emphasis on this aspect of their training, and D felt it was important.</p>
<p>There are definitely great opportunities at UM for accomplished pianists who test out to continue their musical training. In the current junior MT class, there are 3 pianists who tested out during admissions but set up independent studies in accompaniment, orchestrating, and Finale work with Jerry DePuit, UM MT's esteemed head of accompaniment (who co-teaches several MT performance classes). Of these 3 students, 2 of them have also played department shows and rehearsals and assistant conducted, which is somewhat unusual at UM b/c those positions are usually given to instrumental majors from the amazing piano and orchestral departments. In addition, there are tons of opportunities to play voice lessons (for payment, of course) and to music direct student-directed shows, from independent projects such as EDGES, A NEW MUSICAL (which was actually co-written by one of the 3 "piano master" juniors) to the MT freshman showcase (which is elaborate but entirely student-created) to MT cabarets to MUSKET (the all-university student MT group) productions. In addition, accomplished transposers can make great extra money transposing for their peers. </p>
<p>Jerry is retiring at the end of the year, but I'm sure the opportunities for true advanced musical growth will continue under Cynthia Westphal, the MT music director (who was the pianist for LION KING on Broadway for many years, among other major credits), and other faculty. Brent Wagner, the head of the department, is himself an accomplished pianist, which I believe is one reason why UM's attention to musical training, especially to how the composition of a song impacts its acting, is so wonderfully developed.</p>
<p>P.S. The junior class also has an accomplished percussionist who, when he is not in a show, is invariably behind a drum set playing for a show! So you other instrumentalists may very well be able to use and further evolve your skills as well!</p>
<p>As usual, lots of good info above. One more comment about the "testing out" level -- from what my son has been hearing, 115 is the "testing out" level, as broadwaycorey stated, and 112 is the last sequence required of MTs.</p>
<p>Yes, edmondsg, I was at the Friday audition (black shirt, pink/black tie).</p>
<p>The piano lady also told me that although I tested out, I would still take private piano lessons, which they offer, and which I would also take advantage of if admitted.</p>
<p>I had my audition today (regional NYC). The guy asked me if I had a piano piece prepared and I said I did. He said to go and play, but warned me he didn't need to hear the whole thing, just needed to get an idea. My song was 3 pages, I played the first page, which was, essentially, the "a" section, and then he said that he'd heard all he needed and I seemed to have a solid piano background and asked me how long I'd taken lessons. There was no sightreading or chords or scales or anything of that nature for me, personally.</p>
<p>Typecast- Not to worry my son did not play at all until he started his freshman year. He has been very pleased with the progress he has made in that area since then. He did take an extra year more than the requirements He is now a junior.</p>
<p>sellipearl- I can only tell you that my son was not the only one who could not play and his sight reading was poor at best-concentrate on your strengths-very few are good at everything-I am off to Ann Arbor in the morning to see the MTs preform I will try to ask how many in his class did not play before they got in. -best of luck to both of you</p>
<p>I played piano all when I was little and didn't stay with it so now I can sit down and play out of a little beginner piano book at best..do you recommend playing a song out of this or not bringing it and just doing what they ask like scales and stuff? I can sight sing because of choir and of course plunk out the melody of a song on a piano and teach it to myself but that's about it.</p>
<p>texmex... i haven't played piano since 1st grade... i went in and told them i didn't have anything prepared and the lady gave me a simple 8-bar piece to play... i got through it- slowly, but i got through it. i placed into level 111 which isn't the lowest after all... hope that gives some insight.</p>
<p>the piano part is just for placement it doesn't count at all toward the audition... it's just kind of like... if you get in, what level will you be in...</p>