Most degrees require that a prepared proficiency piece be played as one of several components of the proficiency exam. To see all requirements for each degree, click here.
Graduate Woodwind majors are required to play a woodwind accompaniment. Preapproved accompaniments will be posted here.
Voice majors are encouraged to play an accompaniment: preapproved accompaniments are here.
(All taken from Vol. 17, Music for Millions: Easy Classics to Moderns, edited by Denes Agay. Pieces not listed below should be verified at the Secondary Piano Office for acceptability)
The following pieces are suitable for items N1 or N2 of the undergraduate proficiency requirements, or item 8 of the graduate proficiency requirements:
Kabalevsky, Dmitri
- In the Country, p. 147 (also known as "A Happy Outing," Op. 39, no. 24)
- Scherzo, p. 146 (Op. 27, no. 14) (NOT the shorter Scherzo Op. 39, no. 12)
- Toccatina, p.140 (Op. 27, no. 12)
Köhler, Louis
- Chromatic Polka, p. 102 (Op. 300, no. 160)
Kullak, Theodor
- Cradle Song, p. 86 (Op. 62, no. 5)
Miakovsky, Nicolas
- Fugue in Classic Style, p. 126 (last piece in Op. 43, no. 2)
Prokofieff, Serge
- Tarantella, p. 132 (Op. 65, no. 4)
Schubert, Franz
- Four Ländlers, p. 77 (Op. 67, no. 4)
- Waltz in B Minor, p. 70 (Op. 18, no. 6)
Tchaikovsky, Peter
- Reverie, p. 110 (Op. 39, no. 21)
Villa Lobos, Heitor
- Circle Dance, p. 150 (from Guia Pratico, Album 9)
- Constante, p. 149 (from Guia Pratico, Album 9)
The following are all pieces which are minimally acceptable. The examiners will expect a very polished, up-to-tempo performance of these pieces.
Clementi, Muzio
- Sonatina in C, p. 66 (first or third movement) (Op. 36, no. 1)
Schmitt, Jakob
- Sonatina in G major, p. 62 (Op. 83, no. 1)
Schubert, Frank
- Allegretto, p. 78 (Trio from Minuet in F - D. 41, no. 9)
Finally, here are a few favorites which are NOT acceptable:
Bach, Joh. Seb
- Minuet in G, p. 13
- Musette in D, p.15
- Prelude in C major from Well-Tempered Clavier Book I
Chopin, Fryderyk
- Prelude in E minor, A major, B minor, or C minor (from Op. 28)
Joplin, Scott
- The Entertainer
Schumann, Robert
- Melody, p. 88 (from Album for the Young, Op. 68, no. 1)
- The Wild Horseman, p. 89 (from Album for the Young, Op. 68, no. 8)