About the Program

Since 1980, the University of Illinois Piano Laboratory Program has provided quality non-credit piano instruction for students of all ages in the Champaign-Urbana area. It also provides an ongoing forum in which piano majors (graduate and upper-class undergraduate students) may obtain teaching training experience under the supervision of master teachers. The Piano Laboratory Program is administered jointly by two Divisions within the School of Music: (1) Office of Outreach and Public Engagement in Music, Joyce Griggs, Head, and (2) Piano Pedagogy, Dr. Reid Alexander, Chair.

Faculty and Instructional Staff

Faculty members, second-year graduate assistants, and adjunct staff teach pupils enrolled in the Piano Laboratory Program and supervise teaching. Faculty members are Professors Reid Alexander, Christos Tsitsaros, and Joan Hickey (jazz piano only). A list of graduate teachers and adjunct staff includes: Sara Chandler, Chee Hyeon Choi, Daniel Fry, Emily Hsu, Yukiko Kaneko, Chris Reyman, Kristen Richards and Laura Theby. The Piano Laboratory Program Coordinator is Ms. Soohyun Yun.

Curriculum

The curriculum of the Piano Laboratory Program includes traditional performance repertoire and technical development combined with musicianship study (e. g., sight-reading, aural skills, and music theory). Two recital programs are held each year. All pupils participate in weekly private lessons. Advanced jazz piano instruction is available with Joan Hickey for students who qualify by audition. Instruction occurs in faculty studios and classrooms of Smith Memorial Hall at the corner of Mathews and Nevada. Rooms for instruction include 100, 102, 103, 104, and 106.

The course of instruction coincides with the University calendar and consists of two 14-week semesters, divided into four 7-week quarters.

The 2007-2008 Academic Calendar for Instruction

Fall Semester – First Quarter Spring Semester – Third Quarter

Monday, August 27 – Instruction begins Tuesday, January 22 – Instruction begins

Friday, October 12 - First quarter ends Friday, March 7 – Third quarter ends

Fall Semester – Second Quarter Spring Semester – Fourth Quarter

Monday, October 15 – Instruction begins Monday, March 10 – Instruction begins

THANKSGIVING BREAK – November 19 -24 SPRING BREAK – March 17 - 22

Friday, December 7 – Second quarter ends Friday, May 2 – Fourth quarter ends

Summer lessons are also available (June 9 – August 1), if desired.

Recitals

All recitals are scheduled in the Memorial Room of Smith Memorial Hall (second floor, northeast corner). Pre-college pupils participate in one recital program on each of the following dates (participation by adult students is optional):

Sunday, December 2, 2007 2:00 and 3:30 PM recitals

Sunday, May 4, 2008 2:00 and 3:30 PM recitals

Fee Schedule for 2007-2008

30 minute lesson $20.00

40 minute lesson $28.00

60 minute lesson $40.00

In addition to the above fees, a $10 registration charge will be billed at the beginning of each academic year. In addition to weekly private lessons, all pre-college students are expected to participate in a weekly music theory class. Tuition assessed each quarter is based only on private lessons received with no additional charge for the theory/musicianship class. Lesson tuition will not be reduced for parents who elect not to participate in the theory/musicianship phase of the program or for students who are not placed in classes due to scheduling difficulties.

Billing

The Office of Outreach and Public Engagement in Music will mail bills at the beginning of each quarter of instruction before lessons commence. All tuition should be paid at the outset of each quarter of study. Tuition is used to defray costs of operating the program. The expense of music and instructional materials is not included in the tuition fee and will be billed separately. Students will be dropped from the program if tuition is not fully paid by the end of each quarter.

Registration Procedure

To register for lessons, call the Office of Outreach and Public Engagement in Music (333-1580). Requests for lessons are taken prior to the beginning of each semester and summer session.

For teacher placement, contact:

Ms. Soohyun Yun, Program Coordinator – Room 100, Smith Memorial Hall

217-244-3335, extension 2 – email: uiplp@music.uiuc.edu

Scheduling of Lesson Times and Missed Lesson Policy

Once the teacher assignment is made, lesson times are arranged at a mutually convenient time between the student/parent and instructor. Generally, lesson times occur on Monday through Friday and not on weekends. Final registration is completed by the instructor at the initial lesson.

Once lesson times have been arranged between the instructor and student, parents or students who do not give advance notice will be charged for missed lessons. Advance notice is defined as 24-hour notice (no later than the afternoon on the day before the lesson). Occasionally, instructors must be away from campus. In such instances, lessons will be rearranged or taught by a substitute teacher. A student with chronic absences will be dropped from the program. Such lessons will not be made up and there will be no refunds for missed lessons.