The competency-based approach as a foundation for training the modern generation of pianists in higher education institutions of China

Abstract

The article explores the essence and significance of the competency-based approach as the foundation for preparing future pianists in contemporary higher education institutions in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) offering piano education. The scientific contributions of scholars addressing the chosen approach are analyzed, and key tasks aimed at improving the quality of piano education are outlined, along with practical solutions for addressing these tasks.
Object (goal and objectives of the study) is to analyze the essence, main tasks and ways of implementing the competency approach in the practice of training the modern generation of pianists in higher education institutions of China.
Results. The tasks include, first and foremost, strengthening the requirements for the preparation level of future pianist-performers; enhancing the professional expertise of music educators responsible for training new generations of pianists; developing and integrating new concepts, pedagogical technologies in music education, modern materials, and teaching tools into the practice of pianist training; and enriching various methods and forms of stimulating talented musicians. The article highlights the ways to implement the competency-based approach into the training practices of piano art specialists in higher education institutions of the PRC. Prospects for further scientific research in this area are also outlined.
Conclusions. It is proven that the professional competence of a specialist in the field of musical art is considered by scientists as a «specific pedagogical phenomenon», as an integrative quality, which is determined by the peculiarities of musical activity, the originality of its tasks, the predominance of artistic and creative forms of practical work and specific methods of artistic training. The list of modern forms, means, methods and technologies of piano training, which are aimed at the formation of a competent pianist-performer and are actively introduced into educational practice, includes audio and video recordings, which record the mastery of performing musical works, conducting master classes and video conferences; applied piano pedagogy of Sindi; the potential of competitive music competitions, etc., as well as the practice of international exchange and cooperation. The result of the implementation of the competency approach should be knowledge of the “essence and features of musical performance, 
musical and artistic creativity”; perfect, virtuoso mastery of playing a musical instrument; the ability to interpret a musical work, to “creative inspiration and artistry”, the formation of a pianist as a creative personality in general. 
Prospects for further research are related to the study of the experience of implementing personality-oriented training of future pianists in higher education institutions of the PRC as a leading trend in the development of modern piano education.