The entrance exam for applicants to the Piano Faculty consists of the following sections: program performance, colloquium, solfeggio (written, oral), and harmony (written and oral).

PROGRAM PERFORMANCE

The applicant must perform:

  1. One polyphonic piece in the original by a Russian, foreign, or CIS composer.

  2. The first or second and third movements of a sonata or concerto.

  3. One free-form piece, for example: a ballade by F. Chopin, a rhapsody by F. Liszt, etc.

  4. Two virtuoso pieces (for finger technique and large-scale technique).

The level of difficulty of the program must correspond to the graduation program of a music college or a specialized music secondary school.

COLLOQUIUM

The colloquium identifies the cultural level of applicants, their aesthetic views, erudition in the field of musical art, knowledge of the main stages and patterns of the history of music, knowledge of literature in their specialty, musical terminology, sight-reading skills, and understanding of the content, form, and stylistic features of the performed works.

Entrance requirements for music-theoretical disciplines

Solfeggio:

Oral

  • Singing scales in keys with 1 to 5 accidentals: two types of major and three types of minor, chromatic scale in major (up and down), chromatic scale in minor (up); all types of triads and seventh chords with inversions and resolutions, as well as harmonic progressions including up to six chords;

  • Sight-singing a monophonic melody in major or minor with chromatic (altered) steps, possible modulations to related keys, in simple and compound meters, with various rhythmic difficulties; two-voice examples of harmonic or polyphonic texture, including chromaticism and modulations (one voice played, the other sung);

  • Approximate level of difficulty: A. Ostrovsky, S. Solovyov, V. Shokin "One-voice Solfeggio," Nos. 88, 156; B. Kalmykov, G. Fridkin "Solfeggio. Two-voice," Part II, Nos. 211, 223.

Harmony:

Oral

  • Performing tasks at the piano: playing modulations to closely related keys in the form of a period (the candidate may be given an initial harmonic progression to perform the modulation); playing tonal and modulating sequences (2-4 chords in a segment);

  • Harmonic analysis at sight of works of various styles. The character of the harmonic language should not exceed the following level of complexity: L. Beethoven — sonatas; P.I. Tchaikovsky — “The Seasons”; M.I. Glinka, P.I. Tchaikovsky, S.V. Rachmaninoff;

  • Answering questions on the course of harmony, as may be related to the assignments listed above.


     

DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL PIANO

 

At the origins of the Department of Special Piano at the Conservatory stood such pianists as A. Ryabov, E. Levitan, V. Petash, L. Tamulevich, M. Burshtin, F. Kharmats, G. Tokombaeva, and L. Kiizbaeva. The first head of the department was People's Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic, Professor P.A. Tsokurenko, followed by Honored Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic, Professor Z.A. Narynbaeva, and currently the head is Honored Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic G.N. Konusheva.

The department has raised many laureates of international competitions in France, Russia, Israel, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and other countries, including Honored Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic E. Atageldiev, Honored Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic A. Tekenova, Honored Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic G. Konusheva, G. Zhorobekova, K. Meymanbaev, Excellent Worker of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic A. Abdulina, Excellent Worker of Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic S. Amanbaev, M. Osmonov, K. Chotoeva, and many others.

The department is actively engaged in concert and competition activities, participates in the development of all music educational institutions in the country through supervision and monitoring of the educational process in schools and colleges, visiting exams for mentoring and further support of teachers, pupils, and students.

The department’s goal is the constant improvement and enhancement of teaching methods. Masterclasses by prominent foreign pianists such as V. Nosina, D. Bashkirov, V. Margulis, Yu. Slesarev, E. Mechetina, E. Mikhailov, O. Kern, V. Ovchinnikov, A. Sevidov, A. Pisarev, A. Nabiullin, S. Sultanov, M. Schweizer, K. Schumacher, T. Erzhanov, and many others are regularly held at the Conservatory.

The department regularly holds concerts dedicated to the anniversaries of outstanding composers and pianists, various lecture-concerts, as well as concerts involving students and teachers of the conservatory, pupils of music colleges and schools of the republic. The annual Piano Parade concert, which involves students from all music educational institutions in Bishkek, has become a tradition. The purpose of the concert is career guidance for future pianists. Competitions for the best performance of Chopin, for the best performance of piano concertos, for the best performance of works by Scriabin, and many others are held.

The department has developed methodological materials such as “About the Kyrgyz Piano Sonata,” “Harmony in a Musical Work,” “Difficulties in Performing Brahms’ Music,” “Teacher and Student,” and others. Currently, the Department of Special Piano includes People's Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic, Professor P.A. Tsokurenko; Honored Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic, Professor Z.A. Narynbaeva; Honored Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic, Acting Associate Professor G.N. Konusheva; Acting Associate Professor I.I. Tolmacheva; laureate of international competitions, lecturer T.Zh. Arakeev; and Dean of the Piano-Theoretical Faculty, Excellent Worker of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic, lecturer A.A. Abdulina.


 

DEPARTMENT OF MUSICOLOGY AND COMPOSITION

 

From the moment of its foundation and until the last years of his life, the Department of Theory of Music and Composition was headed by one of the founders of Kyrgyz professional musical art, People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR, laureate of the Toktogul State Prize, Professor M. Abdraev, who raised more than one generation of young composers. In different years, the department was subsequently headed by O. Ostrovskaya, V. Brailovsky, T. Ermatov, V. Roman, A. Pantelireiz, V. Gusev, E. Luzanova, K. Dyushaliev, K. Kaykiev. At the origins of the department were such outstanding teachers as A. Slezko, A. Dvilyansky, T. Sklyutovskaya, K. Moldobasanov, and A. Zhanibekov. Worthy continuers of creative ideas, study, and development of the department’s specialization have been such masters as V. Vasiliev, N. Kumskova, G. Baysabaeva, I. Dreit, A. Murzabaev, B. Alisherov, E. Chekhova, L. Muzhdabaeva, and others.

Over a 27-year period, the department’s staff has been replenished with new personnel; young teachers find understanding and support from wise mentors who help them master the specifics and features of professional skills necessary for the successful accomplishment of the department’s tasks. Currently, the Department of Musicology and Composition employs: Doctor of Arts, Professor, Honored Cultural Worker of the Kyrgyz Republic K. Dyushaliev; Candidate of Art Criticism, Associate Professor A. Zheschinsky; Senior Lecturer Z. Kyykeeva; Senior Lecturer T. Dooranov; Senior Lecturer N. Karymshakova; Senior Lecturer Gulmira Zholdoshbek kyzy; Senior Lecturer A. Alisherova; Senior Lecturer A. Abetekova; Lecturer G. Vinogradova. The department is headed by a young composer, graduate of the Moscow State Conservatory named after P.I. Tchaikovsky, B. Musaev.

The teachers build lecture courses and individual lessons in accordance with the recommendations of modern music science and methodology. The training of future specialists takes into account the possibilities of various directions: pedagogical, research, lecturing, musical propaganda, critical and editorial work. Graduates of the department are in demand and successfully work in all areas of culture, musical institutions, educational institutions, concert organizations, on radio and television, in music editorial offices and publishing houses, museums and archives, philharmonic societies and theaters. Students receive specialized training. The cycle of individual classes provides them with professional knowledge and skills necessary for the successful resolution of current problems in music education and the musical culture of the past and present.

Students combine academic studies with creative activity. Concerts featuring works by students have become a tradition, as have competitions for the creation of compositions in various musical genres. Student musicologists have established themselves as excellent hosts of concerts, competitions, festivals, and other events. Students and teachers of the department participate in various projects, republican and international conferences.

The conservatory’s library is regularly updated with educational and methodological materials created by department teachers. Students are also actively involved in the creation of modern textbooks with parallel translations into Kyrgyz and Russian. At present, the Department of Musicology and Composition continues to develop the foundations and traditions laid down by the great masters of the past, continuing their enthusiasm and commitment to the development of national musicology.