Keyboard Study at Ohio University
Ohio University's keyboard program includes a broad spectrum of degrees and curricula designed to meet the varied needs of today's pianists and organists. Students receive comprehensive musical and pedagogical preparation to enable them to enter the profession with competence and confidence. The keyboard faculty provides the highest-quality educational experiences, mentoring students closely throughout their time at OU and beyond.
Distinctive Program Features
Our keyboard division has been recognized nationwide for its distinctive programs that offer courses in Music Wellness, Piano Pedagogy, and Organ, within the context of our traditional degrees: performance, performance/pedagogy and collaborative performance. Our practical and creative course offerings and special projects provide students a stimulating environment and an exciting educational experience.
Practice and Performance Facilities and Opportunities
Students also receive ample rehearsal time in our fine practice facilities that feature Steinway, Boston, and Baldwin grand pianos, and Baldwin/Hamilton, Walter, Seiler, and Young Chang upright pianos. There is a two–manual Moller organ, a 23 rank Bedient tracker organ, and two harpsichords built by Willard Martin. There are several local churches that are available to organ students for practice and performance. Video cameras and audio equipment are available for practice and research projects. Pianists perform regularly in our Recital Hall, and organists have use of the Galbreath Chapel, which houses the Bedient organ. Students have opportunities to perform off-campus at festivals, conferences, competitions and in local and regional museums, libraries, and halls.
Recent and Upcoming Lecturers and Guest Artists
The keyboard division provides master classes with guest artists regularly. There are a large number of international artists and pedagogues who visit the campus each year.
Recent artists/teachers include:
Nancy Bachus (Independent Teacher, Hudson, Ohio)
Julie Bees (Wichita State University)
David Boe (organist, Oberlin Conservatory)
Judy Congdon (organist, Houghton College
Steven Glaser (The Ohio State University)
Jeongwon Ham (The University of Oklahoma)
Lukasz Kwiatkowski (Academy of Music-Lodz, Poland)
Minsook Lee (Sangmyung University, South Korea)
Virginia Marks (Bowling Green State University)
Christopher O’Riley (concert pianist, host of “From the Top”)
Scott Price (University of South Carolina)
George Ritchie (organist, University of Nebraska)
Einar Rottingen (University of Bergen-Grieg Academy of Music, Norway)
Mark Steinbach (organist, Brown University)
Tianshu Wang (Capital University)
David Allen Wehr, (international concert pianist, Dusquene University)
Degree and Certificate Programs
For more information about our degree programs, please see the Student Handbooks
Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance, Piano
Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance, Organ
Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance with an Emphasis in Piano Pedagogy
MUSIC WELLNESS
Keyboard students have additional access to cutting edge research and educational opportunities in Music Wellness headed by Gail Berenson. A Performance Preparation course explores strategies for preparing students physically and psychologically to achieve their maximal performance potential. Some of the many topics offered are healthy body alignment, injury prevention, and a wide range of strategies for managing stress, overcoming burnout, and coping with performance anxiety. OU and guest faculty with special training in the various disciplines teach the individual course components. Workshops and special lectures presented by visiting experts in the field of musician wellness expand the current offerings. Our most current research involves beta testing a newly developed interactive multi-modal approach to teaching piano. This opportunity to focus on minimizing physical tension in performance at the piano will add a new component to our wellness arsenal.
PIANO PEDAGOGY
Established on a strong tradition of excellence, the Ohio University (OU) Piano Pedagogy studies is one of the nation’s most active programs. OU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees that emphasize piano pedagogy training. Our programs promote high performance standards, and offer stimulating coursework and research activity. The faculty is nationally and internationally recognized in the field. Faculty members are prominently featured in research publications. They perform and present workshops and recitals throughout the country and internationally. Graduates of the Ohio University pedagogy programs hold important faculty positions at colleges and universities, and our alumni also serve as independent piano teachers and studio owners/operators as well as leading contributors to the music publication industry.
The following is a sampling of courses in the pedagogy curriculum:
Piano Pedagogy I (MUS 458G)
Creative teaching strategies for piano teachers, a thorough discussion of teaching philosophies, objectives, and procedures applied to both private and group piano instruction. Includes teaching techniques for working with students of all ages and levels. Piano Pedagogy II (MUS 458H)
A continuation of MUS 458G, focuses on the development of technique in the pre-college student as well as a strong emphasis on the teaching repertoire from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary periods.
Piano Pedagogy III (MUS 458I)
A continuation of MUS 458H, introduces teaching strategies for the instruction of sight-reading, harmonization, transposition, memorization, jazz harmonization, modes, and other skill areas. Three class sessions are devoted to the topic of essential piano instructional technologies including digital pianos, software, etc.
Group Piano Pedagogy (MUS 458E)
Foundational principles of teaching piano in group environments and issues surrounding this topic including: group learning theories and theorists, teaching techniques and materials, instructional technologies, and more. Several lectures are presented by leading group piano pedagogues from across the U.S. using video-conferencing technologies.
Practicum (MUS 370 and 570)
Valuable teaching experience including children’s classes, college classes, adult students, or private lessons under faculty supervision.
Piano Pedagogy Resource Center
The Ohio University School of Music Piano Pedagogy Resource Center houses the latest in teaching materials and technology. The Center includes a collection of teaching methods and materials, standard intermediate and early advanced teaching repertoire, duet and ensemble literature, audio, video and software resources, educational tools, journals and periodicals, and a variety of books related to piano teaching and playing. The facility serves as a hub for research and exploration for our students, faculty, and regional piano pedagogues.
Athens Community Music School
The ACMS provides OU pedagogy students various teaching opportunities as well as the chance to observe qualified, seasoned teachers in action. ACMS offers a variety of piano-related programs including private instruction, adult group piano classes, and a group piano preparatory program for children. Most pedagogy students teach through ACMS as a means of supplementing their income.
COLLABORATIVE PERFORMANCE
Pianists are encouraged to begin collaborative work with vocalists and instrumentalists during their freshman year. The artistic and educational benefits from collaborative performing have a direct impact on a keyboard player’s musical education. While most students are involved in duo and small ensemble playing, there are many opportunities for performing with larger ensembles such as the Wind Ensemble, the Symphony Orchestra, choral groups, jazz ensembles, and the New Music Ensemble. Graduate students may elect to obtain a degree with an emphasis in collaborative performance. Studies include vocal coaching classes and observation, opera rehearsal experience, diction classes, duo performances and chamber music.
For information regarding auditions:
www.finearts.ohio.edu/music/pages/admission-audition-info/index.htm
For general information about keyboard studies and inquiries regarding auditions at Ohio University:
Dr. Sylvia Eckes, Chair, Keyboard Division, eckess@ohio.edu
For information regarding organ and harpsichord studies:
Dr. Paul Barte, barte@ohio.edu
For information regarding the Piano Pedagogy studies:
Professor Gail Berenson, berenson@ohio.edu
Dr. Christopher Fisher fisherc@ohio.edu
For information regarding Music Wellness studies:
Professor Gail Berenson, berenson@ohio.edu