A design for the development and implementation of a beginning group piano curriculum for leisure age adults.

Abstract

The course was designed for students with little or no musical training and was divided into eight weekly classes lasting ninety minutes. The class was taught in a piano laboratory setting with electronic pianos for the students, a master console, and a Keynote Visualizer. The course was administered through the Division of Continuing Education at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. Objectives of the curriculum were met through textbook materials, classroom activities, and supplementary activities.

Musical content of the course was based on informal music consisting of folk songs, popular tunes, and sacred music. Texts for the course were The Older Beginner Piano Course, Level I and Musicianship for the Older Beginner, Level I, both by James W. Bastien.

The hobby students attending this course were interested and eager to participate in a beginning group piano course limited to their age group. The physical limitations due to age of the students were not a deterrent to any playing activities included in the class and the students had no learning problems beyond those usually experienced by adult beginning students.

A curriculum for an eight-week beginning piano course for leisure age adults, 55 years of age or older was developed for use by instructors in community colleges and four-year universities. With the growing population of people over 55 in the United States, it is important that music educators have an opportunity to provide creative activities which enhance the leisure time of that population. This curriculum should provide one such creative activity. Experiences provided by this course fill a need for mental, emotional, and physical involvement in an art form which could be the springboard for further musical study of piano or other musical subjects.