The Minor
This week’s feature is the Piano Pedagogy Minor at Elon University in Elon, North Carolina. From the website:
Piano Pedagogy is the art and discipline of piano teaching. Elon offers one of the most substantial opportunities for Pedagogy study at the undergraduate level available in higher education. Piano Pedagogy partners well with any Elon music major or minor curriculum, and is open to any non-music majors with piano background. Piano pedagogy students study methodology and literature in academic classes, and are actively involved from the beginning of their study in teaching children and adults in individual and group settings. Student teachers prepare their students for performances and competitions, and prepare for future activity as highly-qualified professionals in the music teaching business. Students who complete the Piano Pedagogy sequence are prepared for national Certification from MTNA (Music Teachers National Association), the premier professional organization for independent music teachers. Those students choosing music graduate school after graduation are optimally prepared for graduate teaching assistantships.
Two Interesting Courses
MUS 2520 Piano Literature
This course presents a survey of the piano literature from Baroque (18th century) through modern times through representative works of the most important composers and styles.
MUS 2972 Piano Pedagogy Capstone
This course consists of a portfolio of documents, including professional (teaching philosophy, resume, studio policy) and educational (pedagogical repertoire analysis, videotaped teaching demonstration) that demonstrate the MTNA teaching standard of excellence. The purpose is to facilitate MTNA Certification by the academic preparation of all the materials required for that distinction.
Five Possible Complementary Majors at Elon University
- Cinema & Television Arts
- Elementary Education
- Music Education
- Music in Liberal Arts
- Music Performance
Unique Opportunities within the Minor
All students complete four semesters of the Piano Pedagogy Practicum as part of their coursework for the minor.
Sample Similar Programs
- Catholic University: Piano Pedagogy Major
- SUNY Potsdam: Music Education Major, Piano Pedagogy Concentration
- Utah State University: Piano Performance and Pedagogy Major