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Performance |
Site of the 62nd Congress of The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America | |||
Class Materials
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Piano |
Carillon |
| Carillon lessons require prior consent of Mr. Gouwens, since a solid piano background is essential. | |
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Class Materials Based on individual needs and abilities of each student. Beginners normally work from Denes Agay's "The Young Pianist's First Book." This is followed by graded collections of piano literature, including the literature collections in the "Frances Clark Library," the "Classics to Moderns" series, and James Bastien's "Piano Literature" collections. Students at advanced levels usually work from books dedicated to particular composers. Examples include Chopin Nocturnes, Preludes, and Waltzes; Bach French Suite movements; Brahms Intermezzi; movements from Debussy's Suite Bergamasque; the Bartok Sonatina, Scarlatti Sonatas, Grieg Lyric Pieces, and many others. Music is kept available at the school for sale to students during lessons. |
For the first year or two, students work from a Mr. Gouwens's method
book (which, incidentally, is the only one presently in print), Playing
the Carillon: An Introductory Method. The link on the preceding
title leads to an online excerpt of the book.
The method book is also an anthology, so much repertoire is incorporated, including carillon music from the 18th century (Joannes de Gruytters) through present day (Roy Hamlin Johnson, John Courter, John Pozdro). Students who progress past the repertoire in the book will have greater flexibility in the choice of music covered. Repertoire usually includes some arrangements of familiar songs and transcriptions of classical literature (piano, organ, harpsichord, violin, and even opera selections). |
For details on materials used in organ lessons, see the lessons section of the organ and carillon page.
To see samples from Mr. Gouwens's carillon method book, follow this link.
As with all instructors at Culver, Mr. Gouwens has developed and codified a system of assessment for tracking progress and determining grades. For detailed information, on that, please see the separate listing under assessment system.