SOMD Piano Proficency Exam: Composition

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Required for all new incoming master's students in composition, and optional for undergraduates (to be determined during advising). Access the Piano Proficiency study guide The exam is offered by appointment only and held in person. 2026 SIGN UP LINK To test out of Fall, Winter, and Spring sequences, student needs to demonstrate the following proficiencies: 1. Major scales: hands together in two octaves, systematic fingerings, all keys 2. Minor scales (harmonic & melodic): hands together in two octaves, systematic fingerings, all keys 3. Arpeggios: hands together in three octaves, systematic fingerings, all major and minor keys 4. Sight-reading: ability to sight-read excerpts comparable to the level of Anna Magdalena Bach Notebook or Bartok’s "For Children" Book 1, with 2 minutes of preparation 5. Repertoire (Baroque): a Baroque repertoire at early advance level or comparable. a. Examples: JS Bach’s Two-Part Inventions or a dance movement of JS Bach’s French Suites 6. Repertoire (Classical): a first movement of a Classical sonatina at early advance level or comparable. a. Examples: Clementi’s Sonatinas, Op. 36 Nos. 2 or 4, Kuhlau’s Sonatinas Op. 20 No. 1 or Op. 55 No. 3 7. Repertoire (Romantic or Contemporary): a Romantic or contemporary character piece at early advance level or comparable. a. Examples: Schumann's Kinderszenen, Grieg's Lyric Pieces, Bartok's Mikrokosmos Volume 5, or A. Tcherepnin's Bagatelles Op. 5 If the exam is not passed, students must enroll in three consecutive terms of MUP 163: Functional Piano for Composers.

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