The University of Memphis

Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music

MUAP 1106‐001: Class Piano Level II Fall 2026 Syllabus

Course website: https://umclasspiano.com

Meets: MW 11:30 – 12:25 in MU 286

Instructor: Rebecca McGuire

Office Hours: Thursdays 8:30 – 9:30 and by appointment

E-mail: rrmcgire@memphis.edu Office: MU 119C

Supervising Professor: Dr. Kevin Richmond (kdrchmnd@memphis.edu), MU 231

PREREQUISITE

Completion of MUAP 1105, MUTC 1008/1010 with a C- or better—if you have not successfully completed the prerequisites or have placed into this course by exam, notify your instructor immediately.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

MUAP 1106 is a continuation course of level I (MUAP 1105). Topics are based on major and minor scales, modes, diatonic triads and seventh chords with inversions. Styles include baroque through contemporary art music, folk and popular tunes, and blues. MUAP 1106 completes the piano requirements (in addition to MUAP 1116) for Jazz Performance, Jazz Composition, Commercial Music, and Music Therapy concentrations.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The design of the course focuses on developing keyboard skills for students to function as competent and confident musicians. Various activities provide the opportunity of discerning style and genre and to approach the musical arts creatively and with the highest standards.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Course materials are available in the U of M Canvas portal.

CLASSROOM CONDUCT

This course requires your active participation. Questions and discussion are welcomed and encouraged. Any classroom distractions or disruptions are unacceptable. Please arrive on time with cell phones and any other electronic devices out of sight. There is absolutely no food or drink allowed in the piano lab.

PRACTICE

You must commit 20-30 minutes a day at the keyboard. Satisfactory progress requires this commitment. Each class meeting includes new skills and concepts based on the assumption that the prior material has been prepared. This is a skill-development course and will not suffice understanding the material intellectually. You must train your hands, ears, and eyes by doing!

GRADING POLICY

Your final course grade is the average of three juries (90%) and your attendance grade (10%). You can only advance to MUAP 2107 with a final course grade of C- or better.

JURIES

Juries take place in the piano lab. Each jury consists of seven components (harmonization, improvisation, keyboard theory, repertoire, sight reading, technique and transposition) and you receive a grade for each component. Each jury is a 12-minute individual appointment. If you arrive late or miss your scheduled time, you will receive an F for each category missed. Juries I and II are held during regular class time. Jury III is scheduled during the final examination period for this course as published in the official course schedule! Plan accordingly.

ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance in class is expected. Meetings occur only two hours per week and include pertinent information regarding skills and assignments. 10% of your grade is based on attendance and calculated as follows:

Absences	0/1	2	3	4	5	6	>6
Grade	A+	A	A-	B	C	D	F

ASSISTANCE

Please do not hesitate to visit if you have concerns or questions. Your questions are welcome and we are happy to help. Getting help early can facilitate a successful semester. Contact your instructor or Dr. Richmond.

IMPORTANT DATES

Jury I: September 21/23 (during regular class time)

Jury II: October 26/28 (during regular class time)

Jury III: Monday, December 7; 10:30am – 12:30pm