KASTAN
PIANO
MUSICIANSHIP
SYLLABUS
TM
REPERTOIRE
LEVEL
DEFINITIONS
Repertoire Level Definitions
Levels included in this document
Intermediate (I4, I5, I6)
Compiled and Written by:
Dean Epperson, Christine C. Kastanopolous, Juliana Osinchuk
Sources of Information:
Myklas Press
Alfred Publishing Co.
Celebration Series, Frederick Harris Music
Finger Tips for Keyboard Skills by Cobb, Lewis, & Strickland
Repertoire List for Oregon Music Teachers Association Syllabus
Texas Music Teachers Association Student Affiliated Theory Program
Royal Conservatory of Music Piano & Theory Syllabus, Frederick Harris Music
First Printing 1993
Preface
Intent and use of this material
Repertoire Level Definitions should be considered as guideposts to development for student progress.
The repertoire list is to aid teachers in assigning performance levels to works their students perform in local and
state performances. Each level description is the minimal requirement for that level.
Teachers are encouraged to list materials used and assign them to appropriate levels laying the groundwork to
extend the repertoire list.
Repertoire listed in all levels is not to be interpreted as required repertoire for students.
Some works may border between levels. If this occurs, the teacher should consider the maturity of the student
when assigning the work to a level. For example, if a work is E-3 or possibly I-4, the teacher should decide if the
student is mature enought musically and technically to perform in the higher level or if the sstudent would be more
faily evaluated at the lower level.
If a challenge is issued against a teacher’s judgment of the proper placement at a state or local performance, the
teacher can use the repertoire levels definitions to justify the placement.
The KASTANTM PIANO MUSICIANSHIP SYLLABUS makes every attempt to correspond to the
definitions of each level presented herein. Because performance skills and comprehension skills do not always
develop at the same pace, some aspects of the Theory Syllabus may move at a slower pace than the Repertoire
Level Definitions. Copies of the Syllabus may be obtained through Christine Kastanopolous. Refer to your
AMTA membership list for a current address and telephone number.
Each level is divided into a Definition and Characteristics
The Definition for each level describes the general criteria for what each work performed may contain.
The Characteristics refine and specify the definition by the following:
Scales and Chords
Notation
Key Signatures
Time Signatures
Technique
Dynamics
Pedal
Elementary levels present musical and technical basics, focusing on the development of musical concepts.
Intermediate levels continue to add skills, refine performance, and introduce musical forms of different periods,
bridging the gap to advanced levels.
Characteristics of pieces are gradually phased out as they become redundant, therefore, there is a change in format.
Advanced levels are defined through performance skills and repertoire.
INTERMEDIATE FOUR (I4)
Definition of Level:
Repertoire selection begins to reflect the four principal periods of keyboard literature:
Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary. Use of all musical forms is encouraged.
Characteristics of Pieces:
Scales and Chords:
Up to two-octave scale range.
Major, minor (natural, harmonic and melodic), and chromatic scales
Triads and inversions in blocked or broken form.
Alberti bass in eighth note rhythms.
Arpeggios in broken form crossing hand over hand (L, R, L, R, L)
Notation:
Dotted eighth / sixteenth rhythms.
More complex rhythmic passages and syncopation.
Eighth note triplets in one hand against a quarter note in the other hand.
Key Signature:
Time Signature:
From this level on, all Major and minor key signatures may be considered
From this level on, all time signatures may be considered
Technique:
Stressing development of hand independence.
Polyphonic playing within one hand, i.e. one held note while another lines moves
Independent phrasing or touch between two hands, i.e. one hand is staccato, the other legato
Emphasis on balancing melodic line above an accompaniment in either hand.
Subtle dynamic shaping of small phrases.
Dynamics:
Pedal:
From this level on, a full range of dynamics may be considered
Limited use of overlapping or legato pedaling.
Accent pedaling
Limited use for color effect
Repertoire to use for comparison:
Level I4
Baroque Period
Composer
Title
Suggested
Bach, J.S.
March - G Major
Polonaise - G Minor
Minuet - G Minor
Alfred
Couperin
Handel
Le Petit Rien
Minuet - D Minor
Gavotte - G Minor
Passepied - A Major
Sonata L 211, (K89)
Sonata - E Minor, L 271 (K81d)
Minuetto - A Major, L 31 (K83b)
First Book for Young Pianists, 1977
Palmer Edition
Easiest selections from the Notebook for
Anna Magdalena Bach
Purcell to Mozart, 1969
First Book for Young Pianists, 1977
Edition
Introduction to Handel's Work, Palmer
An Introduction to His Works, 1974
Palmer
Publisher
Scarlatti
Source
Publisher
presser
Alfred
Alfred
Minuette - G Minor, L 36 (K88d)
Classical Period
Composer
Title
Suggested
Beethoven
Seven Country Dances Wo0 11
Six German Dances Wo0 42
Sonatina - C Major, Op. 36 No. 1
Country Dance & German Dances
First Book for Young Pianists, 1977
Palmer Edition
Sonatina Favorites, Book 1
Classical Performer Bk. 4
Noona Edition
First Book for Young Pianists, 1977
Palmer Edition
Clementi
Haydn
Mozart
Minuet & Trio, K1
Minuet - F Major, K2
Allegro - B-flat Major, K3
Source
Alfred
Kjos
Heritage
Alfred
Romantic Period
Composer
Title
Suggested
Burgmuller
Tender Flower, #10
Austrian Dance, #14
Sonatina Op. 54, No. 1
Melody #1, Soldier's March #2
Little Piece #5, Wild Horseman #8
Sick Doll #6, Funeral #7
Mazurka #10, Old French Song #16
25 Progressive Studies
Alfred
Six Sonatinas, Op. 54
Album for the Young
Alfred
Alfred
Album for the Young, Op. 39
Alfred
Gurlitt
Schumann
Tchaikovsky
Source
Publisher
Contemporary Period
Composer
Title
Suggested
Bartok
Mikrokosmos I For Children, #1 through #8
Mikrokosmos I For Children
Dello Joio
George
Gretchaninoff
Kabalevsky
Boat Song & Prayer of the Matador
Processional & The Jester Performs
Op. 182, Nos. 1, 2, 4, 9
Little Song #1; Play Ball #2,
Little Fairy Tale #5
A Spanish Bull & Zambia
March & Waltz
Lyric Pieces for the Young (1971)
Pageant
Children
15 Children Pieces, Op. 27, Bk 1
Boosey &
Hawkes
Marks
Oxford
International
Alfred
Safari, Animal World
Contemporary Piano Lit. Vol 2 (Clark)
Fischer
Summy-Birchard
Poe
Shostakovich
Source
Publisher
Suggested Collections
Beethoven
Haydn
Celebration Series, Book 3
First Book for Young Pianists
Beginning Piano Solos
16 Easiest Piano Solos
Haydn Collections
Contemporary Piano Literature, Bk 2
Royal Conservatory
132 Original Master pieces, Sheftel
Alfred
Fischer
Alfred
12 German Dances, Hob. IX:10
10 German Dances, Hob. IX:22
Summy-Birchard
INTERMEDIATE FIVE (I5)
Definition of Level:
Introduction of such pieces as Bach’s Short Preludes, Clementi Sonatinas, short
Romantic works and short Contemporary works. The level begins a period of
development that leads to the skills necessary for the advanced levels.
Characteristics of Pieces:
Scales and Chords:
Passage work of 8th note triplets or 16th notes extending more than two measures
Whole tone scales
Modes
Arpeggios, hand over hand, hands alone
Block chords of 4 or 5 notes (octave doubling optional)
Notation:
From this level all musical notation may be considered.
Technique:
Passages of eighth notes against sixteenth notes.
Two independent voices in one hand.
Bass accompaniments in repeating eighth note triplets in broken chords.
Thirds in melodic lines.
Ornamentation: grace notes, appoggiaturas, turns, mordents and short trills
Pedal:
Syncopated pedaling.
Refined use of legato or overlapping pedaling
Refined use for color effect
Repertoire to use for comparison:
Level I5
Baroque Period
Composer
Title
Suggested
Bach, J.S.
Little Prelude - C Major #1, #2, #3
Little Prelude - F Major #8
Polonaise - G Minor
Bouree - E Minor Lute Suite, BWV 996
Minuet, L 79 (K391)
Sonata, G Major, L 83 (K431)
Allegro, E Minor
12 Little Preludes, Palmer
Alfred
Introduction to his Keyboard Works
Palmer
Introduction to his Keyboard Works
Palmer
Joy of Baroque, Agay
Alfred
Publisher
Scarlatti
Telemann
Source
Publisher
Alfred
Yorktown
Classical Period
Composer
Title
Suggested
Beethoven
Six Minuets Wo0 10, Landler Wo0 17
Waltz - D Major Wo0 85
2 Easy Sonatinas: D Major #1, F Major #2
Country Dance & German Dances
Sonatina - C Major, Op. 36 No. 3
Minuets Hob. IX:3
Sonatina, Op. 55 No. 1
Dances of Beethoven, Hinson
Alfred
Classical Performer Bk. 4
Sonatina Favorites, Book 1
Shealy, Alexander
Sonatina Favorites, Bk. 3
Heritage
Kjos
Publisher
Haydn
Clementi
Haydn
Kuhlau
Source
Kjos
Romantic Period
Composer
Title
Suggested
Burgmuller
Gurlitt
Grieg
The Swallow, Knight Errant
Sonatinas, Nos. 3, 5
Op. 12: Waltz #2, Watchman's Song #3,
Albumleaf #7
Avalanche, #16
To a Wild Rose
Faith, Op. 102, No. 6
Waltz, D 783 (Op 33) #7, B-flat Major
German Dance D 128, #8, F-flat Major
German Dance D 420, #10, A Major
German Dance D 128, #11, D Major
Hunting Song #7, Sicilienne #11
Reaper's Song #18
25 Progressive Studies
Six Sonatinas, Op. 54, Palmer
Introduction to His Works, Halford
Heller
MacDowell
Mendelssohn
Schubert
Schumann
Source
Alfred
Alfred
Piano Literature, Vol 3 Bastien
Woodland Sketches, Op. 51
Songs Without Words
Schubert Waltz Sampler, Small
Introduction to His Piano Works
Kjos
Schirmer
Alfred
Alfred
Album for the Young, Op. 68
Schirmer
Contemporary Period
Composer
Title
Suggested
Block
Gretchaninoff
Khachaturian
Rebikov
Enfantines
Op. 182, Nos. 5, 6, 11
Ivan Sings #1, Ivan Can't Go Out Today #2
Playing Soldiers #4
Shepherd Playing on His Pipe #8
Shades of Blue, Shades of Pink
An Old Tale, Rocking Horse
Sunny Day
She Dances, Pas de deux
10 Pieces for Children
12 Little Sketches for Children, Op. 182
Adventures of Ivan
Silhouettes, Op. 31, Palmer
Fischer
Sketches in Color, Set 1
Pour Les Enfants, Set 4
MCA
Associated
Presser
Broude
Starer
Tansman
Tcherepnin
Werle
Source
Six Fancies for Piano
Publisher
MCA
Alfred
Suggested Collections
Beethoven
Burgmuller
Schubert
Schubert
Joy of Baroque
Dances of Beethoven
Sonatina Book
25 Progressive Pieces, Op. 100
Piano Literature Book 3
21 of His Easiest Works
Waltz Sampler
Agay
Pieces to Play Before Sonatinas, Hinson
Marjorie Halford
Palmer
Bastien
Edited by Allan Small
Yorktown
Alfred
Alfred
Alfred
Kjos
Alfred
Alfred
INTERMEDIATE SIX (I6)
Definition of Level:
Repertoire selection begins to reflect the four principal periods of keyboard literature:
Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary. Use of all musical forms is encouraged.
Characteristics of Pieces:
Scales and Chords:
Triplets or sixteenth notes in passages extending three or more measure over a 3-octave
range. Arpeggios hands alone or together using two or more octaves, ascending and/or
descending sixteenth note Alberti basses.
Technique:
Wide leaps in left hand as in a waltz bass.
Short passages of thirds, and/or sixths in one hand.
Legato fingering of thirds and sixths.
Finger substituting.
Broken octave passages - static or moving
Time signature changing within a piece or movement.
Repertoire to use for comparison:
Baroque Period
Level I6
Composer
Title
Bach, J.S.
Inventions: #1, #8
Two Part Inventions
Preludes: #2 - C Minor, #3 - D Minor
Six Little Preludes
Preludes: #5 - D Minor, #7 - E Minor, #10 - G
Twelve Little Preludes
from French Suite #5 - G Major: Gavotte
French Suites
Minor
from French Suite #6 - E Major: Polonaise, Minuet
From XIV Suite - G Major: Air, Allemande
Master Series for the Young
From VII Suite - G Minor: Passacaglia
Introduction to His Keyboard Works
From Suite XI - D Minor: Sarabande
Gigue en Roundeau - E Major
Classics to Moderns Vol. 37
La Joyeuse (Rondeau) - D Major
Sonata - A Major, L 94
Piano
Sonata - B-flat Major, L 97
Centuries 6A
Handel
Rameau
Scarlatti
Suggested
Source
Publisher
Alfred
Peters
Schirmer
Alfred
Consolidated
SummyBirchard
Classical Period
Composer
Title
Suggested
Bach, C.P.E.
Sonatina - D Minor
Solfeggietto
Sonatinas E-flat Maj. #1, F Min. #2, D Maj. #3
Bagatelle, Op. 119 No. 1
from 6 Ecossaises: E-flat major, Op. 83
Sonata - G Major, Op. 49 No. 2
Sonatina X
Sonatina - F Major, Op. 36 No. 4
Sonata - G Major #8, Hob. XVI:8
Sonatina - G Minor, Op. 88 No. 2
Sonatina - C Major, Op. 55 No. 3
Sonata - C Major, K. 545
Sonatas: Classic to Modern
#67
Three Sonatina, Wo0 47
Introduction to His Works
Ecossaises and Dances
New Sonatina Book
Repertoire 5B Music Pathways
Six Sonatinas, Op. 36
Repertoire 5B Music Pathways
Sonatina Favorites Book 3
Alfred
Peters
Schott
Fischer
Alfred
Fischer
Kjos
Publisher
Beethoven
Benda
Clementi
Haydn
Kuhlau
Mozart
Source
Publisher
Consolidated
Romantic Period
Composer
Title
Suggested
Chopin
Polonaise - B-flat Major
Mazurka - F Major, Op. 68 No 3
Preludes, Op. 28: E Minor - #4
Major
Op. 12 No. 4, Elfin Dance
Op. 68, No. 1, Sailor Song
Op. 71, No. 3, Puck
Curious Story, Op. 138 No. 9
From Seat Pieces: Star Light, #4
From Marionettes, Op. 38: Villian, #6
Gondola Song, Op. 19 No. 6
Consolation, Op. 30 No. 3
Horseman - #23, Souvenirs of the Theater - #25
Northern (Norse) Song - #41
From Op. 39: Baba Yaga (Witch) - #20
39 Sweet
Introduction to His Works
From Op. 40: Chanson Triste - #2
12 Pieces, Op. 40
Grieg
Heller
MacDowell
Mendelssohn
Schumann
Tchaikovsky
From Op. 40: Song Without Words - #6
Source
Alfred
Preludes Op. 28
Piano Literature Vol. 3, Bastien
Kjos
Piano Literature Vol. 4, Bastien
Greatest Piano Solos
Kjos
Ashley
Song Without Words
Alfred
Album for the Young, Op. 68
Alfred
Album for the Young, Op. 39
Tchaikovsky
From Op. 39: Baba Yaga (Witch) - #20
39 Sweet
Album for the Young, Op. 39
From Op. 40: Chanson Triste - #2
12 Pieces, Op. 40
From Op. 40: Song Without Words - #6
Repertoire to use for comparison:
Level I6
Contemporary Period
Composer
Title
Bartok
Rhapsody
For Children, Vol 2
Peasants Flute
Sunday Afternoon Music
Repertoire 5B, Music Pathways
Petit Negre
12 Danzas Espanoles, Op. 5 No. 1
Classics to Moderns, Vol 47
Sonatina, Op. 13 No 1
Piano Literature Vol 4
7 Good Humored Variations on a Ukranian Folk 5 Sets of Variations, Op. 51
Song
March #1, Dance #2, Song #3, Toccata #4
Piano Literature Vol 4
Ivan Goes to a Party #4
Adventures of Ivan
Ivan is Very Busy
Dodecaphonic II
Contemporary Album for the Young
Dance in five-four
From Set of 5: Staccato, Coda
Villageoises
Collection of 12 Pieces, Op. 65
Music For Children, Op. 65
Purple, Grey
Sketches in Color, Set 1
Aluminum, Silver and Gold
Sketches in Color, Set 2
Hide and Seek, Berceuse
Pour Les Enfants Set 4
From Guia Pratico: 2 Brazilian Children's Songs Classic to Modern Vol. 37
Copland
Debussy
Granados
Kabalevsky
Khachaturian
Palmer
Poulenc
Prokofiev
Starer
Tansman
Villa-Lobos
Suggested
Source
Publisher
Boosey &
Hawkes
Fischer
Musicales
Consolidated
Kjos
MCA
Kjos
MCA
Alfred
Salabert
Alfred
MCA
MCA
Associated
Consolidated
Suggested Collections
Chopin
Repertoire Book 7
Classics to Modern Vol. 37
Century
Music Pathways, Repertoire 5B
Preludes, Op. 28
At the Piano with Chopin
Piano Literature Vol 3 and 4
Celebration Series
Francis Clark
Hinson, editor
Bastien
FJH
Amsco
Summy-Birchard
Fischer
Alfred
Kjos