KEYBOARD STUDY AT K-STATE
• Professional guidance by committed artist-teachers
• A curriculum to help students meet the diverse challenges in an ever-changing professional world
• Opportunities for solo, accompanying and chamber music performances in a community of supportive student-colleagues
• An environment for personal development and artistic growth
• Courses in piano literature and pedagogy
All students who wish to study piano or organ at Kansas State University will play an audition for the keyboard faculty. The audition establishes the student’s technical preparation, demonstrates musicianship skills, current level of performance skills, as well as the student’s potential to succeed in lessons and final juries. The usual audition requirement is a performance of at least two contrasting pieces. Piano majors are expected to perform their audition by memory. Piano performance majors should audition with three pieces which represent three different historical periods of music. Prospective students are encouraged to contact one of the keyboard faculty with any questions about repertoire for the audition and music study at K-State.
While a student may have been admitted to K-State, admission into one of the music degree programs with a keyboard major is determined by the keyboard faculty. Non-music majors are welcome to audition; if they qualify for study, lessons will be offered as studio space is available.
Piano study is planned according to the individual’s needs and professional goals. (See the following section about music degrees and programs at K-State.) Repertoire expectations will vary by major. The minimum literature level for studio lessons eligibility is that of J.S. Bach’s Two-Part Inventions and the higher-level movements of the Sonatinas, Op. 36 of Muzio Clementi. Current KSU music majors who have completed their piano class requirements and wish to continue improving their playing skills may enroll in studio lessons as space is available.
Organ study is available from beginning to advanced levels and may be the major instrument for any of the undergraduate options. Beginning students are expected to have piano skills at the level defined above for piano and be able to play a four-part hymn. Studio lessons are available for music majors, minors and non-music majors. Organ study prepares all students for church music, especially service playing, as well as the performance of classical organ literature.
Harpsichord study is available as an elective for those pianists or organists who wish to study continuo playing, performance practice and styles found in Baroque music.
UNDERGRADUATE OPTIONS
Bachelor of Arts in Music
This degree consists of a broad-based liberal arts curriculum with a major in music. In addition to a core of music courses, students choose a 16-20 hour option of Performance, Music Literature, or Composition. Because of the flexibility in this degree, it complements professional preparation for advanced study in a variety of areas besides music, such as law, medicine, or other programs requiring a liberal arts background.
Bachelor of Music
Acceptance into this degree program assumes an advanced level of performance competence. The curriculum prepares one for continued study at the graduate level, studio teaching, or church music (for organ majors).
Bachelor of Music Education
This degree prepares students to become music teachers in schools and leads to certification by the state of Kansas in vocal and/or instrumental music K-12.
Music Minor
This program of 19-20 hours works effectively with degree programs outside of music. The student will take classes in music theory, Freshman Survey (a music literature course), studio lessons, participation in a major performance organization, and a restricted elective in music theory or music history.
GRADUATE STUDY
Master of Music
This degree can be earned in piano or organ performance, or piano with an emphasis in pedagogy. Opportunities for accompanying and collaborative performances will enrich the student’s experience at the graduate level.
INSTRUMENTS
• Concert pianos by Bösendorfer and Steinway
• Austin concert organ, three manuals, 40 ranks
• Reuter studio organ, 17 ranks
• Reuter practice organ, 6 ranks
• Bosch practice organ, tracker, made in Germany, 9 ranks
• Walker Continuo Organ, tracker, made in England, 3 ranks
• Harpsichord built by Rainer-Schütze, 8, 8, 4
FACULTY
Dr. Slawomir Dobrzanski, Assistant Professor of Piano
E-mail: slawomir@ksu.edu
Dr. Virginia Houser, Associate Professor of Piano and Pedagogy
E-mail: vhouser@ksu.edu
Dr. Mary Ellen Sutton, Professor of Organ and Harpsichord
Keyboard Division Chair
Phone: 785.532.3830 E-mail: sutton@ksu.edu
William Wingfield, Instructor and Staff Accompanist
E-mail: wwingf@ksu.edu
For more information about studies in piano or organ at Kansas State University, contact any of the keyboard faculty or email: <musicd@ksu.edu>.
