Piano Program

Welcome to the piano program at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. At UWL we believe that the piano program is an opportunity for you to explore being a musician in all areas: solo performing, playing with other musicians, being able to hear quality musical performances and studying how to become a polished performer and piano teacher (pedagogy). Personal attention to the development of the person, and not just the musician, plays an important role in the program at the University.

Lessons

• A minimum of 30 minutes a week
• Opportunities to schedule extra lessons or extra coaching for accompaniments
• Studio Projects have included recording in-progress performances with individual assessments throughout the semester, four-hand literature, and, in fall 2004, a mini-workshop on the mechanics of the piano presented by our UW-L piano technician.
• Repertoire requirements include standard literature from two or three different stylistic eras. Repertoire selection is determined as a collaborative effort between student and teacher.
• In the course of study there is an attempt to balance your exposure to styles of music, from Bach and Beethoven to ragtime and Russian nationalists.

Solo Performance Opportunities

• Piano Studio Classes held Weekly
• Department Recitals (scheduled on Fridays the last half of the semester)
• Master Classes (approximately once a semester)
• Senior Recital (required for all majors in music)
• Community Performances (about once a semester for piano studio)
• Concerto Competition (performing with an orchestra, held in the spring)

Ensemble Performance Opportunities

• Accompanying other students
• Chamber Music Course Number (MUS 161)
• Jazz Bands
• Accompanying Choirs
• As a member of the orchestra and wind symphony