Information in this section is intended for currently enrolled School of Music Students. If you are unsure about anything related to your studies at the School of Music, please reach out to your primary teacher, our academic advisor Jillian Bigony, our student services coordinators Margee Zeigler and Traci Hair, or ultimately our assistant deans for undergrad (Tina Stallard) and grad studies (J. Daniel Jenkins). We will make sure you get the correct information quickly.
Accompanist Policies, Rates, and Fees
Accompanying Policies—Undergraduate Scholarship Pianists and Graduate Assistants
April 29, 2005
- Definition of “1 Studio Hour”
- Maximum of two hours of rehearsal and one hour of lesson accompanying per week
- Maximum of 60 minutes of total repertoire per semester
- The 60 minutes of total repertoire may be divided between a maximum of three students
- If a student accompanies a full degree recital in a given semester, this would fulfill that accompanist’s entire studio hour requirement
- Definition of “1/2 studio hour”
- Exactly half of the above definition except the maximum number of students that repertoire may be divided between is two rather than three
- Advance notice for degree recitals, juries, seminars, masterclasses, ensemble concerts.
All accompanists should have all of the repertoire for a given performance within the following schedule depending on the nature of the performance:
- Degree Recitals: fall semester—two months notice, spring semester—three months notice
- Juries: one and one-half months notice
- Seminars, studio classes, or master classes: one month notice
- Large Ensemble performances: one and one-half months notice
- Accompanists are required to contact the Applied Teacher whose studio they have been assigned to immediately after the assignment is made and provide up to date contact information including e-mail and phone number.
- Required masterclasses will be held periodically in order to provide instruction and guidance to student accompanists.
- Assignments of returning accompanists will be made in late April or early May in order to avoid short notice performances in September and early October.
Suggested Rates for Undergraduate Accompanists, University of South Carolina School of Music, February 15, 2007:
- Hourly Rehearsal and Lesson Fee: $15-20
- Recital Performance Fee (half-recital, $50): $75
- Jury: $35-$50 per person
- Masterclasses, Seminars, etc.: $10-20 per person, depending on length and difficulty
- Who owes the fee:
Any student presenting a degree recital with either a Staff Accompanist or a Graduate Assistant assigned to an applied studio is required to pay the fee. Students utilizing undergraduate accompanists or any accompanist that the recitalist student chooses to hire on their own are not required to pay the fee. In addition, any student working with a Graduate Assistant accompanist on an activity that is NOT a degree recital, is not subject to the fee. - How much is the fee:
$180 for a full, degree recital and $90 for a half, degree recital. - When is the fee due:
By September 11th in the Fall Semester and by January 29 in the Spring Semester . - Where is the fee paid:
The fee should be paid through the Touchnet system where Recital Fees are paid.
Student Handbooks
General Forms and Fees
All fees may be paid online at our Recital Reservation, Recording Services, and Accompanist Fee Touchnet Store.
All fees may be paid online at our Locker and Instrument Fee Touchnet Store.
Request keys online and you will receive an email with instructions from our Building Manager.
Use this form for changes after deadlines/dates published in the academic calendar (current term only). The School of Music dean or representative must approve before submitting to the registrar.
This form requires the undergraduate dean's signature.
FIll this form out and then take it to your instructor.
Fill this form out when seeking a waiver of a specific academic regulation/requirement.
Use this form to enter your Jury repertoire and information as well as reserve a time slot. An instructional tutorial is available if you have any questions.
Miscellaneous Information
For detailed information on group piano requirements for music majors, view the Keyboard Proficiency section of the Undergraduate Handbook. Music minors may take group piano if and when there are open spaces; priority enrollment is given to music majors. Any questions about Group Piano policies or course content can be directed to Dr. Omar Roy, Coordinator of Group Piano.
Advanced Placement Auditions
Auditions occur during the first week of classes in both fall and spring term and at the end of the advisement period in fall and spring term. Auditions are NOT available during any other time. Students may sign up for auditions as posted at School of Music Building, room 229.
Students will be asked to perform items from the list of requirements (see PDF’s below). A minimum grade of “C” must be awarded on the audition to receive advanced placement.
- Advanced Placement into MUED 156
- Permission to take a Keyboard Proficiency Exam
- Advanced Placement into MUED 355
Keyboard Proficiency Exams
Exams occur during finals week in both fall and spring term. Exams are NOT available during any other time, including summer session. Two weeks prior to the start of final exams, students may pick up materials and sign up for exam times at School of Music Building, room 323.
Syllabus Policies of Group Piano Courses
Required Texts for MUED 155 and 156:
- Lancaster & Renfrow. Alfred’s Group Piano for Adults, Book 1, 2nd Edition. Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Publishing, Inc., 2004. ISBN-13: 978-07390-53010
- Lancaster & Renfrow. Alfred’s Group Piano for Adults, Popular Music, Book 1. Alfred Publishing, Inc., 2017. ISBN-13: 978-14706-39471
Exams and Grading:
Each student will be given individual exam times. Make-ups are not given for group
piano exams. If a student does not appear at the assigned time, a grade of “zero”
will be recorded. A passing grade must be received on the final exam to pass the class;
if the final exam is graded as “D” or “F,” the overall course grade will be recorded
as “D” or “F.” Final exams are graded by the instructor and the group piano coordinator.
Final Grade for 155, 156 and 355, 356:
- 10% Quizzes/Assignments
- 25% Exam 1
- 25% Exam 2
- 10% Final Project
- 30% Final Exam
Students must pass each required level of the group piano course sequence with a cumulative grade of “C” or better. The final examination serves as the proficiency examination for that level.
Assignments/Quizzes: A practice assignment will be given at every class period. If class is missed, it is the student’s responsibility to seek out assigned work and prepare for the next class. Quizzes on assigned material may or may not be announced in advance. If a student misses a quiz, a grade of “zero” will be recorded. If the absence is excused, the student may request to take the quiz at another time, within a week of the original quiz date.
Practice: Class preparation and practice are the responsibility of the student. Each student must prepare all items on daily assignments. Thirty (30) minutes of daily practice is recommended.
Attendance: Functional keyboard skills are obtained through a cumulative process, and thus regular attendance at class is required. Students are given two unexcused absences per semester. Upon the third and any additional absences, the final grade will be lowered a grade value for each subsequent absence. Tardiness is not acceptable. Every three tardies will result in the student’s grade being lowered by one grade value.
Tutoring: Open tutoring hours will be available the week prior to exams and projects; the schedule will be posted on Group Piano bulletin board. During other weeks, students are encouraged to utilize the instructor’s office hour. Students may not use tutoring sessions to make up class absences.
Expectations for Classroom Behavior:
- Students must use proper classroom etiquette by refraining from playing piano out-of-turn or during lectures, questions, and discussions.
- All cell phones and pagers are to be put away out of view and turned off/silenced (not on vibrate) during class.
- Students may not, under any circumstance, remove the headsets from the keyboard control unit. If technology failure occurs, ask for the teacher’s assistance.
- No food or drink can be brought into the lab.
- Failure to adhere to these expectations may result in dismissal from class and/or an academic penalty.
Want to reserve a practice room time slot for the entire semester? Check our database for availability and reserve online.
Music grants are offered for international travel and/or study. Click here to learn more.
Graduate Student Forms
Use this web form to schedule Comprehensive Examinations or Dissertation Defense.
Download this form to process an appeal for 21-25 hours.