Organ and piano performance
If you're seeking an organ and piano performance program that offers musical discoveries of the greatest variety and depth, come to Furman. Our faculty combine decades of performance and teaching experience
—a rich asset from which our students benefit every day. Our graduates include the dean of the Yale School of Music, the conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, and musical theater faculty members at the Juilliard School.
Our curriculum includes courses in keyboard literature, chamber music, piano pedagogy, music technology, and jazz piano. It provides a professional level of instruction, guidance and mentorship and lays the groundwork for graduate studies at many of the best master's programs across the country.
Students are encouraged to explore performance opportunities on and off campus, nurturing confidence and enhancing artistry. In addition to solo recitals and chamber music, the biennial concerto competition provides an excellent incentive for musical growth.
Each year, our faculty features a distinguished visiting professor of piano. These nationally and internationally renowned artists give recitals, and share their insights in individual lessons and master classes. Past guest artists have included Richard Cass, Anne Koscielny, Marvin Blickenstaff, and Eduardus Halim.
Collaborative piano
Educational experiences abound in the field of collaborative piano. As a piano major, you'll get guidance and individual coaching throughout your studies. We provide introductory group instruction for freshmen and a course on advanced chamber music for upperclassmen.
Audition and declaration requirements
Furman students intending to major in music must perform an audition and
complete a music theory placement examination. Paperwork should be
submitted to our department during your sophomore year.
Declare your major by downloading our form as a PDF.
General requirements
The bachelor of music in organ or piano performance provides our students with an opportunity to perfect their skills through one-on-one instruction and performance studies. You must accompany for two senior recitals or three junior recitals during the same term. Permission for exercising this option must be obtained in advance and in writing from our department chair.
Core courses:
- Basic Musicianship I (MUS-111)
- Basic Musicianship II (MUS-112)
- Introduction to Music Literature (MUS-120)
- Basic Musicianship III (MUS-211)
- Basic Musicianship IV (MUS-212)
- World Music I (MUS-220)
- Music History I (MUS-221)
- Music History II (MUS-320)
- Music History III (MUS-321)
- Basic Conducting (MUS-352)
- Two credits of performance topics
- Recital Attendance for seven semesters (MUS-050)
- Freshman Music Colloquium for one semester (MUS-051)
- Membership in at least one ensemble: Symphony orchestra (MUS-060), Furman band (MUS-061), Furman Singers (MUS-062), Furman men's chorale (MUS-063), or Furman women's chorale (MUS-064)
Additional courses for organ performance:
- History and Literature of the Organ (MUS-422)
- Piano Pedagogy (MUS-451)
- Service Playing (MUS-452)
- Six credits of music electives numbered between 300 and 499
- At least 24 credits of organ performance studies
- Two credits of harpsichord
- Seven semesters of collaborative coaching
Additional courses for piano performance:
- History and Literature of the Piano (MUS-421)
- Piano Pedagogy (MUS-451)
- Advanced Collaborative Piano (MUS-564)
- Introduction to Organ and Harpsichord (MUS-568)
- Six credits of music electives numbered between 300 and 499
- At least 24 credits of piano performance studies
- Seven semesters of collaborative coaching
Course sequence
Piano
| Class |
Fall |
Spring
|
| Freshman |
MUS-111
Performance Studies
MUS-560
First Year Seminar
MUS-051
MUS-050
Major ensemble
|
MUS-112
Performance Studies
MUS-120
First Year Seminar
MUS-050
Major ensemble
|
| Sophomore |
MUS-211
Performance Studies
MUS-221
MUS-050
Major ensemble |
MUS-212
Performance Studies
MUS-352
MUS-220
MUS-050
Major ensemble
|
| Junior |
MUS-561
MUS-320
Music elective
MUS-568
MUS-050
Major ensemble |
MUS-561
MUS-321
MUS-564
Music elective
MUS-451
Junior recital
MUS-050
Major ensemble |
| Senior |
Performance Studies
Music elective
Music elective 2
MUS-050
Major ensemble
|
Performance Studies
MUS-421
Senior recital
Major ensemble
|
Organ
| Class |
Fall |
Spring
|
| Freshman |
MUS-111
Performance Studies Performance Topics
First Year Seminar
MUS-051
MUS-050
Major ensemble
|
MUS-112
Performance Studies
MUS-120
First Year Seminar
Collaborative coaching
MUS-050
Major ensemble |
| Sophomore |
MUS-211
MUS-221
Performance Studies
Collaborative coaching
MUS-050
Major ensemble |
MUS-212
MUS-352
MUS-220
Performance Studies
Collaborative coaching
MUS-050
Major ensemble |
| Junior |
Performance Studies
MUS-320
Music elective
MUS-452
Collaborative coaching
MUS-050
Major ensemble |
Performance Studies
MUS-321
MUS-563
Music elective
MUS-451
Junior recital
Collaborative coaching
MUS-050
Major ensemble |
| Senior |
Performance Studies
Music elective
Music elective 2
Collaborative coaching
MUS-050
Major ensemble
|
Performance Studies
MUS-422
Senior recital
Collaborative coaching
Major ensemble
|