Keyboard Area
Keyboard at UNO
The Keyboard Area of the School of Music at UNO provides opportunities for students to develop their solo and ensemble skills in a wide variety of performance venues, both on campus and in the community. In addition to weekly lessons, piano students are required to attend a performance class where they play on a regular basis and learn about technique, stage presence, practice methods, audition/jury/competition preparation, and essential concepts of piano pedagogy and literature. Students additionally have the opportunity to study organ and play on our double-manual French harpsichord. Our students also learn outside the classroom by attending faculty and guest artist recitals, master classes and lectures, and collaborating with instrumentalists and vocalists in the collaborative piano program.
Program Requirements:
Audition Requirements
Undergraduate Performance Majors (B.M. Performance)
Prepare two contrasting works chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, and Contemporary periods. All selections should be memorized. You may additionally be asked to sightread a short selection.
Undergraduate Non-Performance Majors (B.M. Music Education; B.A. Music Studies)
Prepare one work chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, or Contemporary periods. All selections should be memorized. You may additionally be asked to sightread a short selection.
Students interested in the Bachelor of Music in Music Education must also submit a short 2-3 minute video. Please watch the following video before you begin: https://youtu.be/sCx-fw8gPqw. The questions and prompts are also listed in written form below.
When completed, please email to Adam Hilt: ahilt@unomaha.edu.
- Introduce yourself , tell us your primary instrument ,and any additional instruments you play. Feel free to tell us any additional information that you would want us to know (e.g., you teach piano; work with youth; enjoy learning languages).
- Why are you interested in music education?
- Name one teacher you respect and why.
- Sing a nursery rhyme/children’s song without accompaniment (one verse only).
Graduate Performance Majors (M.M. Music Performance)
A recital program of at least thirty minutes representing a minimum of three contrasting works chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic and Contemporary periods, demonstrating high levels of technical and musical abilities. The repertoire should include at least one movement of a sonata (piano only). All selections should be memorized. You may additionally be asked to sightread a short selection.
Graduate Non-Performance Majors (M.M. Conducting; M.M. Music Education)
Prepare two contrasting works chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, and Contemporary periods. All selections should be memorized. You may additionally be asked to sightread a short selection.
Collaborative Piano
The Collaborative Piano Area offers pianists a multitude of opportunities to collaborate with musicians and ensembles throughout the School of Music. Students interested in working with vocalists, instrumentalists, choirs or ensembles can choose to begin their collaborative journey at UNO.
Pianists interested in collaborative work are offered a wide range of rewarding musical experiences. Join us in the possibilities of collaborative partnerships and email Professor Stacie Haneline, Coordinator of the Collaborative Piano Area at shaneline@unomaha.edu
Mentoring Program
The University of Nebraska School of Music has fostered a Mentoring Program with Omaha Music School, Crash Bang Boom. UNO Piano students, who are committed to education and have a passion for teaching young students, may apply yearly to be admitted into the mentoring program. Those accepted into the program will complete a 12 week pedagogy course led by Professor Haneline, UNO Keyboard Faculty, during the summer months.
Upon completion of the coursework, students will begin teaching at Crash Bang Boom in the fall under the supervision of Professor Haneline and Ashley Eisenmann, owner and lead teacher of Crash Bang Boom. Crash Bang Boom is committed to the musical development and education of all children interested in learning to play the piano throughout the Omaha community. UNO School of Music Keyboard Area is committed to fostering a well rounded education for piano students with opportunities to engage with the community. Students admitted into the mentorship program will work closely with music educators from UNO and area teachers for guidance and support.
Questions?
Contact Keyboard Area Coordinator, Dr. Kristín Jónína Taylor at kristintaylor@unomaha.edu.