The development of a multimedia Web database for the selection of 20th century intermediate piano repertoire

The purpose of this dissertation was to create an on-line database for intermediate piano repertoire selection. After preliminary reviews of existing written annotated indexes and reviews of online databases, I decided to create an Internet database for 20th century intermediate piano literature. One hundred and fifty-four pieces from early-intermediate level to advanced-intermediate level were chosen for inclusion in the database. All pieces selected met at least one of three criteria: emphasis on a specific technical skill, emphasis on a specific form or style found in the more advanced literature (for example, pieces that can be used as lead-in pieces to common forms such as a baroque dance suite), or emphasis on a specific 20th century compositional technique.; The pieces were individually analyzed and categorized into twenty-one data fields. Leveling guidelines were created for early-intermediate, intermediate, and late-intermediate repertoire. Copyright permission was obtained from individual publishing houses. Audio recording of the pieces used in the database was done on a Roland KR-577RTM keyboard and the MIDI files were compressed into MP3 format through Digidesign ProTools 5.1RTM. Visual representation of the pieces were scanned and saved as GIF files through Adobe Photoshop 6.0RTM.; The database was designed using PHP as the programming language with MySQL as the data management system. The interface of the Website was designed using Macromedia Dreamweaver 4.0RTM, and graphical components were designed using Macromedia Fireworks 4.0RTM. Entry of the data into the database was done through a secure Internet Web page designed for this project. The data from the database can be viewed and accessed online by any user with an Internet connection.; After uploading the site and registering a URL address (www.pianorep.com ), 48 members of MTNA completed an on-line user survey (14.55% response rate). Survey results indicated that the database was easy to use and valuable in selection of repertoire in individual lessons and in classroom settings.