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All Bachelor of Music students (except those whose major instrument is piano) must demonstrate proficiency on the piano to achieve Laurier’s keyboard facility standard. Failure to meet these standards by the beginning of a student’s third year can result in withdrawal from the program.
All incoming Bachelor of Music students will be required to sign up for a keyboard placement interview during Orientation Week to discuss Laurier’s keyboard facility standards and in some cases to prove they have met our requirements.
During this, interview students can:
If students are unable to pass the keyboard facility exam or do not opt to attempt the test we recommend they take the Laurier keyboard facility workshop. This workshop is offered to assist students to prepare for the equivalency exam, which is administered as part of the workshop. This workshop does not count towards academic credit runs each term and may be taken for up to four terms (i.e. up to the end of second year).
Should you decide to pursue piano studies on your own in lieu of taking the workshop, you must arrange to retake the keyboard facility exam or present a RCM Grade 6 piano certificate before you enter your third year of study.
Students have the option to fulfil the Keyboard Facility Requirements at any time, per the policy, or they may opt to "stop the clock" on the Keyboard Facility requirement.
In normal circumstances, students have six full semesters (Fall—Winter—Spring) in which to complete the requirement.
Entering students shall have six full semesters in which to complete the requirement, beginning at the start of the first full semester of in-person instruction.
For students who are in progress, the clock shall be considered to have stopped as of Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, and will resume at the start of the first full semester of in-person instruction. Such students shall have the remainder of their six-semester timeline in order to complete the requirement.
If you wish to inquire about taking the Keyboard Facility Workshop group lessons online, please contact Catherine Hewson at catherine_hewson@yahoo.ca.
If you are looking for a one-on-one private instructor who may do lessons online, you can also inquire with Catherine Hewson or contact the Laurier Academy of Music and Arts.