Kristin Elgersma | Assistant Professor | »
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Lionel Hampton School of Music
I propose to research and compile the American classical piano repertoire of the late 20th
and early 21st century, with an emphasis on music suitable for study by undergraduate music
majors. This project will fill a void in the current literature. Anthologies of late 20th/early 21st
century American piano music are extremely limited; at present, I know of no comprehensive
collection of this type. Additionally, it is widely accepted that university piano students in the
United States have a major educational deficiency in this topic. Through this project, I will
remedy this problem by creating an anthology for college-level pianists.
University of Idaho music students will benefit directly from this research, through a
proposed special topics course to be offered in fall of 2012. However, with my intention to
eventually develop this research into articles, CD recordings, and a textbook suitable for
undergraduate course study, the potential benefits of this work extend beyond the University of
Idaho. Especially given the cultural and historical relevance of the topic, it is an important
addition to current American music research, and will serve as the foundation for me to achieve a
successful career in higher education at the national level.