Performance Concentration Requirements

Required

Develop proficiency with the history of Western art music

• Music 40: Music History to 1600 (4 units)
• Music 41: Music History from 1600 to 1830 (4 units)
• Music 42: Music History since 1830 (4 units)

Choose a course or some courses among the following, for a minimum of 3 units  

1. Develop proficiency with at least one instrument or voice

• Private lessons (1-3 units)

2. Ensemble

• Play/perform in various acoustical combinations: Solo, Chamber, and Large ensembles. 
• Play/perform music with various repertoire 
• Ensembles include:
  • Music 159: Early Music Singers (1 unit)
  • Music 160: Stanford Symphony Orchestra (1 unit)
  • Music 160A: Stanford Philharmonia (1 unit)
  • Music 161A: Stanford Wind Symphony (1 unit)
  • Music 161B: Stanford Jazz Orchestra (1 unit)
  • Music 162: Stanford Symphonic Chorus (1 unit)
  • Music 163: Memorial Church Choir (1 unit)
  • Music 165: Chamber Chorale (1 unit)
  • Music 167: University Singers (1 unit)
  • Music 171: Chamber Music (1 unit)

3. Acquire conducting skills

• Music 130B: Elementary Instrumental Conducting (2 units)
• Music 130C:  Elementary Choral Conducting (2 units)

4. Play/Perform electronic music

• Music 128: Stanford Laptop Orchestra: Composition, Coding, and Performance (3-4 units)

5. Play/Perform improvised music

• Music 126A: Introduction to Thoroughbass, historically informed stylistic improvisation  (1-3 units)
• Music 156: [sic] Improvisation Collective (1 unit)

6. Play/perform contemporary music, and collaborate with performers in having your music performed

• Music 160B: Stanford New Ensemble (1 unit)
• Music 161B: Jazz Orchestra (1 unit)

Note: A course cannot be used to satisfy more than one major requirement.

CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS (KEYBOARD) 20 UNITS:

Develop solo and ensemble techniques.

• Music 172/272: Harpsichord, Organ, Fortepiano, Piano * (6 units)
• Music 171: Chamber Music (1 unit) ** (3 units)
• Music 126A: Thoroughbass Accompaniment (1 unit) (1)
• Music 160C: Stanford Baroque Soloists (1 unit) *** (1)
• Music 170: Collaborative Piano (1 unit) *** (1)
• Music 183A: German Art Song Interpretation (1 unit) *** (1)
• Music 183B: French Art Song Interpretation (1 unit) *** (1)
• Music 183C: Musical Theater Interpretation (1 unit) *** (1)

Develop aural and analytical skills especially pertinent to performance.

• Music 122D: Analysis for Performance (2 units) (2)
• Music 129K: Advanced Ear-Training / Musicianship for Keyboardists (2 units) † (2)

Develop awareness of repertoire and cultural history.

• Music 155A: Keyboard Literature (1 unit) ** (3)

Create a capstone project.

• Music 198: Concentration Project (2 units) (2)

TOTAL UNITS: 20

* Keyboard concentrators are required to enroll in studio lessons for at least 6 quarters. Lessons may be taken for up to 3 units, but only 1 unit will count toward the concentration each quarter.

** Keyboard concentrators are required to enroll in three quarters of Music 171 and three quarters of MUSIC 155A.

*** Keyboard concentrators are required to enroll in either Music 160C, 170, 183A, B or C.

† Note: Music 129K, which includes score reading and transposition in addition to ear training, is offered in alternate years for 1 or 2 units, but must be taken for 2 units to fulfill the Keyboard Concentration requirement

RECOMMENDED ELECTIVES (KEYBOARD)

• Music 6F: Art is My Occupation: Professional Development in Music (1 unit)
• Music 11N: Harmonic Convergence: Music’s Intersections with Science, Mathematics, History, and Literature (3 units)
• Music 13N: Music and Politics: From Mozart to Miranda (3 units)
• Music 33N: Beethoven (3 units)
• Music 34N: Performing America: The Broadway Musical (3 units)
• Music 39B: Music and Healing (3 units)
• Music 80: Russian Modernists: Stravinsky & Shostakovich (3 units)
• Music 112: Film Scoring (3 units)
• Music 113: Introduction to Instrumental Composition (2-3 units)
• Music 122A: Counterpoint (4 units)*
• Music 122B: Analysis of Tonal Music (4 units)*
• Music 122C: Introduction to 20th-Century Composition (4 units)*
• Music 140-147 Any of these courses (3-5 units)*
• Music 148: Studies in Performance Practice (3 units)
• Music 192A: Foundations of Sound-Recording Technology (3 units)

* If not already taken to fulfill the Core Requirements
 

BEYOND THE MAJOR – RECOMMENDATIONS

The 62-unit structure is designed to provide a basic foundation in keyboard performance.

Students intending to delve deeper, and, in particular, those interested in professional careers and graduate studies should work with their advisor in order to be prepared to meet the anticipated expectations and requirements. This can be achieved by taking additional courses from the electives listed above, as well as others offered occasionally or by visiting artists. The following practices are also recommended:

• Be active in the Stanford music community.
• Seek opportunities for collaboration with fellow musicians.
• Serve as keyboardist with Stanford ensembles.
• Use the library and online resources to expand and diversify your knowledge.
• Attend Stanford keyboard and ensemble concerts and rehearsals, as well as professional keyboard performances and ensembles in the Bay area.
• Participate in workshops, masterclasses, summer institutes, and training programs, and find out about available partial funding (including possible assistance from Stanford).
• Develop a particular personal focus in keyboard performance.
• If relevant to that focus, attain competency in additional language(s).
• Take advantage of available funding during your Sophomore summer to carry out research.
• Take advantage of the Stanford Overseas Study Program.
• If interested in graduate study in keyboard, select target programs, study their audition requirements, and prepare during your junior and senior years.