The University of Memphis

Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music

MUAP 2108-001: Class Piano Level IV Fall 2025 Syllabus

Course website: https://www.umclasspiano.com

Meets: MW 11:30 – 12:25 in MU 202

Office Hour: Thursdays 10:30 – 11:00 and by appointment

E-mail: Lien.Nguyen@memphis.edu Office: MU 119B

PREREQUISITE

Completion of MUAP 2107, MUTC 1009/1011 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 2108 is a continuation course of level III (MUAP 2107). Topics are based on all major and minor keys, modes, all qualities of triads, altered/borrowed chords, and diatonic/non-diatonic dominant seventh chords. Styles include baroque through contemporary art music, folk and popular tunes, and blues. MUAP 2108 completes the class piano requirements for Performance, Music History and Music Education-Vocal 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 of standards.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

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

CONDUCT

This course requires your active participation at all times. Questions and discussion are welcomed and encouraged. Any classroom distractions or disruptions are unacceptable. Success in this course is dependent on consistent and punctual attendance and undivided attention.

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 to understand the material intellectually. You must train your hands, ears, and eyes by doing!

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

PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

The semester is divided into three 5-week segments representing Proficiency I, Proficiency II, and Proficiency III. During the first four weeks, you will submit assignments/recordings as instructed. The fifth week of each segment is reserved for live proficiencies, completed one-on-one with your instructor. There is no class during proficiency week, as all individual appointments are scheduled during class time (see “Important Dates” below). Activities for each proficiency consist of several components (harmonization, improvisation, keyboard theory, repertoire, sight reading, technique and/or transposition) and you receive a grade for each. Following each proficiency week, you will receive grades/comments for all components. Proficiency III is scheduled during the final examination period for this course as published in the official course schedule! Plan accordingly.

You must pass ALL components of EVERY proficiency with a C- or better. This means you will need to re-take any items with grades lower than a C-. Your original grade will be retained and averaged with all re-take grades. Schedule any re-takes with your instructor according to the deadlines listed below. If you have not completed re-takes by the deadline, you will receive an F for each of the incomplete items.

If you do not successfully complete the re-takes for Proficiency III during the final exam period, you will receive an Incomplete (I) for the course. The Incomplete will be removed when the proficiency is completed. You have one major term to complete the proficiency. Keep in mind that all re-take grades are averaged into your final grade.

GRADING POLICY

Your final course grade is the average of three proficiencies and all re-takes (90%) and an attendance grade (10%).

ASSISTANCE

Please do not hesitate to schedule an appointment 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

Proficiency I: September 22/24 (during regular class time)

All Proficiency I assignments are due no later than Sunday, September 21

Re-take any topic with a grade lower than C- through Friday, October 24

Proficiency II: October 27/29 (during regular class time)

All Proficiency II assignments are due no later than Sunday, October 26

Re-take any topic with a grade lower than C- through Thursday, December 4

Proficiency III: Monday, December 8, 10:30am – 12:30pm

All Proficiency III assignments are due no later than Sunday, December 7