Piano Studies at Tennessee State University
Piano is a very important part of musical studies at TSU. Piano is viewed as a necessary skill to support any musical career or aspiration, whether it be that of a public school educator, composer, or commercial music performer or producer. For that reason, TSU is one of a very small number of schools in the country that offers private one hour weekly piano lessons with a highly qualified instructor to all music majors signing up for piano, even if it is proficiency level piano.
The Department of Music is in the process of becoming an all Steinway program as well. The department received a new Steinway concert grand for the recital hall in the spring of 2008, as well as 4 new Steinway upright pianos for the practice rooms.
The importance of piano is also reflected by the university's sponsorship of the yearly James A. Hefner HBCU Piano Competition . This event, which was launched in the spring of 2005, is the only competition of its kind in the country. In addition to encouraging excellence in piano, the competition also encourages the performance of works by African American composers.
In order to better meet the specific goals of individual music students, the department will this year be defining separate goals for the commercial music students as opposed to music education majors. The piano faculty are committed to providing a very practical, useful application of piano skills for each individual student. The four semesters of piano proficiency requirements may be accessed on the Department of Music Website.
The piano faculty of the university represent a wide array of educational backgrounds and experiences. All music department piano teachers have at least an earned masters degree in music. Last year they led the department in a recital of music by African American composers in honor of Black History Month in February. This year, plans are underway for a recital of music by women composers to commemorate Women's History Month in March. The Department of Music provides students many opportunities for accompanying and ensemble work in an array of styles and venues.
The current members of the Tennessee State University Piano Faculty are Ms. Wilma Mosely-Curry, Mr. Kevin Durham, Dr. Olga Harris, Dr. Vicki King, Mr. David Madeira, Ms.Veronica Milnar, Dr. Christine Perkey, Dr. Agnes Wan, and Ms. Christa Williams. Detailed faculty profiles are available in the Department of Music Faculty page.
Chisaki Michizuka plays Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's
"Deep River"
Jimmy Ehren Owens
2008 HBCU Piano Competition Winner
plays Ralph Simpson's "Presentiment"