This study was conducted to ascertain and report attitudes of faculty-artist piano teachers at NASM-accredited music units with graduate programs concerning the diverse aspects of designing graduate student and artist piano recitals. A second objective was to compare and contrast the principles which govern program-building practices of graduate and artist piano recitals.The study consists of five chapters. Chapter 1 presents background information and the purpose, delimitations, and significance of the study. Chapter 2, a review of related literature, reveals that discontent toward program-building practices began as early as the middle of this century.Chapter 3 delineates the methods and procedures employed to collect the data. Responses collected from the questionnaire are reported in Chapter 4. Four recital types--graduate recitals, faculty-artist recitals, artist recitals in major cultural centers, and artist recitals in outlying areas are examined in terms of program length, format, content, and balance. Chapter 5 provides a summary of the study as well as comparisons and conclusions.It was found that graduate student and artist recitals enjoy few program-design commonalities. Analysis of the data revealed that only four commonalities were shared by all four recital groups: 1) Consider the respective moods of the repertory "Almost Always" or "Often" when determining the construction of a program, 2) a program's format should be chronological "Sometimes," 3) the "First Half" of a recital should be longest, and 4) lengthy works may be placed in "Both Halves" of a program.Respondents gave "Performer's Security" top priority when selecting the opening work for all recital types. Four criteria considered very important when selecting closing works were: 1) Mood, 2) Intensity, 3) Effectiveness, and 4) Performer's Security.Challenging the notion that there is one correct way to design a recital, participants offered a variety of strategies and formats. Finally, lists of suggested opening and closing works, works generally considered difficult for audiences and works composed post-1950 which have found favor with audiences are appended to the study. / School of Music

The encore piece for piano is viewed both as an historical study and an investigation of current programing trends. Data from the New York Times, music reviews and questionnaires completed by distinguished American pianists provided information that was compiled and charted.A study of the years 1920 through 1990 showed a discernible move away from extended encore segments, with a shift toward a single encore offering. Spontaneous rushing of the stage by theaudience and demanded immediate re-hearings of works faded shortly after 1940.Questionnaires revealed present-day artists are most influenced by length and character of the work, as well as the ending program piece in selecting encores. Two additional influences are the desire for contrast in succeeding encores and spontaneity in encore choice. Questionnaire answers reaffirmed that fewer encores are given in the 1990's; also noted were the facts of encores becoming shorter, more substantial, and less virtuosic. An inclusion of lesser-known works from the twentieth century was indicated.Research indicates that selecting the appropriate encore is both an art and a science. The importance of the intuitive art of judging audience response and spontaneity of encore choice is matched only by the role of the analytical in studying past successful encore models and programing an effective encore sequence. A successful encore is determined as much by what precedes and follows its performance as by its own character. / School of Music