Under the direction of Artist-in-Residence Ava Soifer, the piano department at SOTA offers a unique opportunity for young pianists to study solo performance, chamber music, and the art of accompanying. Through their collaboration with the vocal and instrumental departments, students study and perform music literature from all period styles.

Weekly solo performance classes, chamber music recitals, solo piano recitals, and vocal performance classes present pianists with regular venues that develop their skills as performing artists
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In addition, students in the department are expected to critique each other in a productive and supportive environment. Required written critiques of student and professional recitals help develop analytical thinking and the skills for future teachers. Students receive private weekly coaching on solo and duo piano literature and attend weekly classes in theory and sight singing.

Students from the SOTA piano department have been finalists in the Ross McKee Piano competition. Many have continued their music studies at prestigious Conservatories such as Julliard, the Eastman School of Music and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Parent/Teacher contact:
School phone: 415-695-5700
Mon. Tues. Thurs. Fri. 1:00-2:00

Fall '02-Spring '03 Course Profile
A. Title of Course: Piano Lab.
B. Artist-in-residence: Ava Soifer
C. Days: Mon. - Friday
Afternoon classes; schedule varies according to the schedule.
Refer to schedule below.

D. Required course for piano majors.

E. Course credit: 5

F. Course description: Study of the piano with emphasis on technique, understanding of period styles and interpretive skills in performance; will include solo, duo, and chamber music literature assigned at levels appropriate to the student needs. Students are graded on coaching sessions, performance class, recitals and written critiques.

G. Course expectations:

1. Good attendance is imperative. Parental excuse notes are required for all absences. Students are expected to be in class every day on time with materials necessary for work and an attitude receptive to instruction. Tardiness will not be tolerated as it affects the quality of participation for all of the students involved.

2. Courtesy and respect for all persons at all times is expected. Meet for attendance in 17B at 1:00 P.M. Do not leave for practice rooms until dismissed.

3. Music literature:
a. Students will study assigned piano literature and will demonstrate mastery of each assignment before progressing to the next. Emphasis is on the works of the masters from the various periods of music history. One duet and three solo works (2 in the fall) of contrasting eras are selected for practice, study, coaching, and performance in class.
b. Students will be coached individually once a week on their solos and duets. Students missing from practice rooms during Piano Lab. will be considered cutting. A cut is recorded as an F for the day and will be averaged in the grade.
c. Appropriate duet literature will be incorporated at each level in addition to solo literature. Students will be assigned to duet partners according to level for sightreading and preparation for performance class and recitals.
d. Sonata & Chamber Music Program: Pianists will be required to meet with string and wind players to rehearse in collaboration with the instrumental department. This is a 6 week program in the fall & spring semester that culminates in a series of lunch-time concerts. The majority of the pianists will participate and be graded in this program.


4. Materials
a. All students are required to have a 3-ring binder.
b. All hand-outs, including music copies, are to be punched and kept together in a binder.
c. Students are to have their binders with them at all class meetings and a pencil with which to write. Students without assigned materials at coaching sessions or performance class will be given an F grade.

5. Good work habits:
a. Have materials necessary for class.
b. Work at assigned piano or other station.
c. Full attention to teacher and to business at hand.
d. Self motivation to work independently and progress at individual pace.
e. No eating, drinking, or gum chewing in class or at any time around school pianos.

6. Home Practice:
a. Regular daily practice is critical to promote proficiency on the instrument. Minimal practice: 2 hrs. daily.
b. Students must have access to a piano outside of school for home practice.
c. Students are encouraged to study privately with a reputable teacher outside of school.

7. Recitals
a. A formal recital by the piano department is given at the end of each semester.
b. Recitals are scheduled in the evenings at 7:30 or lunch-time 12:20
and are open to parents, students, faculty and the general public.
c. Piano recitals serve as the final grade in the Piano Lab. for each
semester. In addition students are required to attend and perform in
the Fall Sonata (ensemble) Noon concerts.
d. Recital attendance: Students are required to attend three SOTA students recitals in any performance discipline. In addition to this school policy, pianists must attend two professional recitals outside of the school (solo piano, chamber music, or concerto) and submit a program and written review.

H. Grading criteria:
1. 30% coaching sessions-attendance, quality of preparedness,
quantity of material learned, and effort.
2. 30% piano performance class; proficiency demonstrated during
weekly performance class.
3. 20% Written and oral critiques, concert reviews
4. 20% chamber music, sonatas

SCHEDULE: PIANO LAB.
Mon. 1:00 Piano Lab. All levels
2:15 Vocal/Piano Art Songs Lab. Beginning/Interm( Advanced dismissed)
3:30 Beginning Level dismissed
Tues. 1:00 Piano Lab. all levels
2:00 Piano Lab.
3:00 Performance Class
4:00 All pianists dismissed

Wed. 1:00 Written theory class
2:00 Sightsinging
3:00 Dismissed

Thurs. 1:00 Piano Lab. All levels
2:15 Vocal Lab. Advanced (Interm. & Beginning dismissed)
3:30 All pianists dismissed

Friday: 1:00 Piano Lab
2:00 All pianists dismissed


Ava Soifer, artist-in-residence/piano: is a graduate of the Cincinnatti Conservatory of Music and received her Masters in piano performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She has performed chamber music and solo recitals in the Bay area with ensembles: Trio della Rosa, Montage, and with members of the Kronos Quartet, S.F. Symphony and S.F. Opera orchestra. She worked as vocal coach in the music department at Notre Dame and is currently artistic director of the chamber music series, Music on the Hill.