<p>I have seen that several music schools required piano proficiency. I can't seem to find anything on their websites about what, specifically, constitutes piano proficiency. DD will be a music ed major with primary instrument as the flute. I have emailed 2 universities so far and have not received a response, so does anyone here have an idea what level of playing one has to do to prove piano proficiency? DD took piano for 10 years, but has not played for the last 2 years.</p>
<p>When my D was applying, one of the only schools we found that had details about piano proficiency was UNCG. I would imagine this would be a good indicator for many schools. </p>
<p>I think that the requirements vary a good bit from school to school, with the UNCG requirements being a bit harder than average. If your daughter can find some time to practice over the summer and perhaps take a few refresher lessons, I think she may have a good chance at testing out of the requirement completely at a lot of schools. After all, a lot of students who start with very little keyboard experience manage to meet the requirements after two to four semesters of lessons.</p>
<p>It sounds as if a student doesn't have to prove piano profeciency to get in--just to complete the program (obviously it can vary, I'm sure). I just wanted to make sure a student who played for 10 years would have what they need to START. If she can't test-out by practicing ahead, at least she can still be admitted. This is all so new to someone with a science background! The other poster mentioned the Alfred books for adults. I wouldn't imagine that book "2" would be all that hard because most piano method books start at level 1, don't they?</p>
<p>Thanks again to all of you.</p>
<p>That is true - no requirement for any piano skills for admission. It is great though that she has had the lessons - good for theory too.</p>
<p>In our experience (DS applied to 7 schools...some conservatories, some conservatory programs within universities, some music departments)...there is a requirement for two years of piano proficiency. It can be taken by courses or by "placing out" of the requirement. Schools that had a piano proficiency test as part of the audition were very clear...it was for placement into the required piano classes...or for placement OUT if the student was highly proficient. DS placed out of one year of piano at his college, and took the second year. He actually liked the class. BUT he had taken 5 years of piano lessons.</p>
<p>In my experience, there are not many schools that bother to test keyboard proficiency prior to admissions for non-keyboard majors. The exams for placement within basic skills classes or for waiving the requirement entirely generally take place once the student has enrolled.</p>
<p>U of Del asked in their audition verification letter if you wanted to be tested for piano proficiency. My D was going for music ed vocal she does take piano lessons but declined the exam and got accepted to the music school anyway,it seams they use it for placement.</p>
<p>Both of my kids had to take piano proficiency exams at the beginning of their freshman year. It had nothing to do with admissions. S2 tested out (10 years of lessons.) D tested out of only one semester of the required 4. (Her lessons were much less regular, but she can play things like Clementi sonatinas without any trouble. She hadn't had any formal lessons since middle school, though.) She has been quite bored in her piano classes. </p>
<p>What did her in was not knowing her scales. They didn't just test to see if she could play a piece; they tested to see if she could play her scales, along with her sightreading ability, and her skills weren't up to expectations.</p>
<p>So... practice your scales!</p>
<p>
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practice your scales!
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</p>
<p>Actually (this is a little off topic)...but this quote applies to ALL instruments.</p>
<p>Except for piano majors, the tests seem to be for placement, not for admissions. My Son has played piano for 10+ years, and can play a mean ragtime, accompany his friends, play advanced classical pieces, etc. He missed out on a lot of "theory" type stuff: transposition, improvise chords to accompany, etc. At one placement exam, he placed out of 1 year of keyboarding (out of 2 years). Proctor said if he practiced a little, he could probably retake the test during orientation and pass out of the 3rd semester.</p>
<p>Daughter went to a different school they only have 1 year of piano required. She placed out of the entire requirement.</p>
<p>Most of the schools that I applied to required a piano exam at the audition, but if you didn’t know how to play, it was not a big deal. All music ed students are required two years of piano class at Otterbein. I study privately, but brush up on your piano skills! It is a necessity in our field, especially if you are a vocalist!!</p>