MUS 160.0 - Piano Proficiency
About this Course:
As part of the B.Mus Program, all students (except piano majors) are required to complete MUS 160.0 "Keyboard Proficiency". You can double-check if you are required to take this class by logging into DegreeWorks on PAWS and checking your program requirements.
To pass this course, each student must show a minimum keyboarding skill level of Royal Conservatory of Music Level 4. You may either submit a copy of your RCM Level 4 Piano certificate (or higher) or perform on the piano at RCM Level 4. Performances will be assessed by a faculty member and graded on a pass/fail basis.
This course is a self-instruction type course; therefore, there is no class meeting time. If you have minimal piano experience, it is YOUR responsibility to arrange for lessons from a qualified instructor to bring your skill level to a RCM Level 4 standard. There are many organizations and private piano instructors in Saskatoon that offer piano instruction. There may also be piano major students at the U of S who have teaching experience. This 0 c.u. course is listed on your program monitor in Year 3, but this course may be completed at any time during your degree. MUS 160.0 will be found in T2 of the course catalogue each year.
Carolyn Doi, our music librarian, has created a wonderful "easy access" website listing the Royal Conservatory of Music Level 4 requirements. This website also lists which materials our library carries and where to find them. In addition, RCM books may be purchased from Long & McQuade or St. Johns Music.
http://libguides.usask.ca/music/keyboardskills
When you feel you are ready for assessment, contact Prof. Kathleen Solose (kathleen.solose@usask.ca) to set up an examination time. It is recommended that you do NOT register for MUS 160 until you have passed the exam or provided Professor Solose with proof that you have obtained your RCM Grade 4 certificate on your own.
This avoids a failing grade on your transcript in the event that you do not pass this UofS exam.
Please also note that you must register for this course before, or at the very latest, within the last semester of your B.Mus. program. You may retake this Keyboard Skills Proficiency test at any point and at no cost, until you meet this degree requirement. If you are unsure of what level you are at, you may decide to take the test as practice. This is in fact recommended as it will give you valuable insight into adequately preparing you for the exam.
Please contact Prof. Kathleen Solose at kathleen.solose@usask.ca if you have any questions relating to MUS 160.0.
Course Outline
Faculty Instructor: Professor Kathleen Solose
Email: kathleen.solose@usask.ca (306) 966-6179
Office: EDUC 1105 | Hours: by appointment
Note: Piano majors in any degree program are not required to take the exam for this course, and will be automatically given a P grade.
The goal of this course is demonstration of keyboard proficiency. Upon completion of this course, students will have a grasp of basic keyboard skills and be able to read and play basic keyboard music.
Course Objectives:
This is a Pass/Fail class. In order to receive a Pass, students will be required to prove their proficiency in keyboard in one of the following two ways:
1) By providing a certificate proving that they have obtained a minimum of RCM (Royal Conservatory of Music) Level 4 in piano. Please scan and email original RCM (or equivalent) certificates to Prof. Solose at kathleen.solose@usask.ca
OR
2) By making an appointment and performing three pieces, one from Lists A, B and C at a minimum of RCM Level 4, as well as the Level 4 technical requirements. No ear tests will be required.
Required Materials:
Students will be working with materials from the current RCM Level 4 Piano Repertoire syllabus. Materials available for checkout from the U of S Library holdings are compiled on the following U of S LibGuide:
http://libguides.usask.ca/music/keyboardskills
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
All students should read and be familiar with the Regulations on Academic Student Misconduct (https://secretariat.usask.ca/student-conduct-appeals/academic-misconduct.php) as well as the Standard of Student Conduct in Non-Academic Matters and Procedures for Resolution of Complaints and Appeals (https://secretariat.usask.ca/student-conduct-appeals/academic-misconduct.php#IXXIIAPPEALS)
For more information on what academic integrity means for students see the Academic Integrity section of the University Library Website at: https://library.usask.ca/academic-integrity#AboutAcademicIntegrity
You are encouraged to complete the Academic Integrity Tutorial to understand the fundamental values of academic integrity and how to be a responsible scholar and member of the USask community - https://library.usask.ca/academic-integrity.php#AcademicIntegrityTutorial
Information on literal descriptors for grading at the University of Saskatchewan can be found at: https://students.usask.ca/academics/grading/grading-system.php#GradingSystem
The Academic Courses policy can be found at http://policies.usask.ca/policies/academic-affairs/academic-courses.php