Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Class Piano II (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 1160-02

Course: MUSC 1160-02
Credits: 1
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: MUSC
CRN: 11472

Course Description

The second course in the class piano sequence, further develops keyboard skills, including scales, chords, and improvisation. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): MUSC 1150 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

  • Textbook: Alfred’s Group Piano For Adults (2nd ed.) by E.L. Lancaster and Kenon D. Renfrow 
  • Piano Proficiency Exam: must be downloaded from the SUU Music Department handbook. (https://www.suu.edu/pva/music/handbook.html
  • 3-ring binder or folder to keep additional material handed out in class
  • Pencil/pen
  • A metronome or metronome app to be used in individual practice sessions (optional)
  • A piano or keyboard to practice on (can be a practice room)

Learning Outcomes

By the end of Piano II, students will demonstrate improved functional keyboard skills, including fluent sight-reading, major and minor scales and arpeggios, basic cadences, harmonization, and simple improvisation. Students will apply these skills to support musicianship, teaching, and collaborative music settings.

Course Requirements

Grading:
  • The grade breakdown for the course is as follows: 
    • Attendance 120 pts. 
    • Weekly Assignments 120 pts. 
    • Proficiency Test Checklist 120 pts.

Assignments: 
  • Weekly recording assignments will be due each Saturday of the semester. These will be posted to Canvas and will need to be practiced throughout the week and then recorded and uploaded to Canvas. Each assignment will be worth 10 points. Students have the option of working ahead, but will be docked points if an assignment is late or played poorly. 
  • A student can test out of this requirement by passing off the sight reading requirement on the proficiency test - all recording assignments after that point will be excused. 

Proficiency Test Checklist: 
  • Each student will be given a proficiency checklist at the beginning of the semester to keep track of skills they’ve passed off. 
  • There are 12 proficiency skills listed and each skill will be worth 10 points at the end of the semester. If a skill is partially passed, 5 points will be given. Each skill must be passed off by April 24th, 2025 in order to receive points.  
  • Students can pass off skills during classroom practice time, during regularly scheduled pass-off days, or by an appointment outside of class. 

  • Optional Written Final: A student may choose to take a written final in lieu of their proficiency skills checklist. The written final will be administered on Wed., April 22nd at 11:00 AM and Thurs., April 23rd  at 11:00 AM. If a student chooses to take the written final, whichever has the highest score (the proficiency test checklist or the written final), will be awarded the student. A study guide for the written final will be provided a few weeks before Finals Week. 

Course Outline

Assignments Due and Class Schedule

Due 1/17 Moonlit Shores p. 172 - Heart and Soul 
Week 1 - unit 13; major keys and cadences

Due 1/24 Little Fantasy Study p. 191 - Wayfaring Stranger p. 194
Week 2 - unit 14; minor scales, all about minor keys

Due 1/31 Allegretto p. 202 - Lovely
Week 3 - unit 15; minor scales & cadences + arpeggio review

Due 2/7 Etude p. 211 - 2 folk songs
Week 4 - unit 16; folk songs, February 5th pass off day

Due 2/14 Dance p. 238 - My Heart Will Go On
Week 5 - unit 17 & 18; LH handed accompaniment patterns 

Due 2/21 Waltz p. 243 - pick a hymn
Week 6 - unit 19; folk songs, 2 hand accompaniment patterns

Due 2/28 Eccoaisse p. 254 - Lean on Me
Week 7 - unit 20; secondary dominant cadences

Due 3/7 Etude in C major p. - 263 Greensleeves p. 268
Week 8 - unit 21; March 5th pass off day 

Due 3/21 Dance p. 270 start on Moonlight
Week 9 - unit 22; pentatonic and blues scales + improv

Due 3/28 Moonlight Sonata p. 276
Week 10 - unit 22; modes of the major scale

Due 4/4 Chromatic Rag p. 298
Week 11 - chromatic scales

Due 4/11 Four part hymn
Week 12 - review of all proficiency checklist items, and written final review

Week 13 - optional performance day (4/14) and pass off day (4/16 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

  • Recorded assignments submitted to canvas after the due date will be docked 10% the first week, 25% the second week, and 50% after mid-term. No assignments will be accepted after Friday, April 24th, 2026.



Attendance Policy

  • Attendance and punctuality are required at all class sessions. 
  • A missed class will be excused at the discretion of the instructor, program coordinator or department. 
  • Proof of acceptable excused absences (such as a doctor’s note) may be required. 
  • Students will receive 120 attendance points at the beginning of the semester, after each unexcused absence, 5 points will be deducted from the total attendance grade.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.