The Collaborative Piano master’s program is designed to prepare graduate students, both technically and intellectually, for professional careers as performers or as artist-teachers; for studio and school music teachers who wish to pursue this curriculum; and for those who wish to use the Master of Music degree as a foundation for doctoral study.
Music Performance – Collaborative Piano + Vocal/Instrumental
Master of Music
Music Performance (Collaborative Piano + Vocal/Instrumental) Master's Degree
The Master of Music degree program in collaborative piano is designed for professionally oriented pianists who wish to pursue careers as collaborative artists. It is also for those who wish to use it as a foundation for doctoral study. The goal is to prepare graduate students, both technically and intellectually, for professional careers as collaborators and chamber music performers.
The graduate collaborative piano program offers intensive study to pianists who have specialized interests in piano/vocal and piano/instrumental repertoire. Through private instruction, coaching, chamber music and diction and literature classes, students gain greater familiarity with the standard repertoire and develop the musicianship skills required of advanced collaborative pianists.
Our program is uniquely tailored to each individual, providing a personal level of attention and focus while developing the skills necessary for career advancement. Students have the opportunity to be coached in a variety of collaborative projects by the internationally respected artist-teachers of the School of Music's divisions of keyboard, voice, strings, and winds, and to participate in master classes with renowned visiting guest artists.
Careers with a Collaborative Piano Graduate Degree
Tuition & Financial Aid
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Graduate Assistantships
Competitive graduate assistantships are available, offering further collaborative experience in duo repertoire, large instrumental and vocal ensembles, and opera.
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Financial Aid, Scholarships & Funding Sources
To learn more about loans, scholarships and grants, visit Ohio University's Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.
Explore funding resources obtainable by graduate students at Ohio University at Graduate Student Financial Support.
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Tuition & Fees
Tuition and fees are assessed based on the number of credit hours of enrollment, Ohio residency and program.
Choose a Collaborative Piano Track
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Piano/Vocal
Students in the vocal track take voice-specific coursework:
- MUS 5545 - Chamber Music, Piano (repeat for min. 1 hour)
- MUS 5573 - Solo Vocal Repertoire I: French and British
- MUS 5574 - Solo Vocal Repertoire II: Germany and United States
- MUS 5750 - English and Italian Diction for Singers
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Piano/Instrumental
Students in the Instrumental track select from instrumental-specific coursework:
- MUS 5545 - Chamber Music, Piano
- MUS 5212 - Literature of Chamber Music
- MUS 5570 - String Instrument Pedagogy and Repertoire
- MUS 5571 - Woodwind Instrument Pedagogy and Repertoire
- MUS 5572 - Brass Instrument Pedagogy and Repertoire
Collaborative Piano Courses & Curriculum
View Courses & Requirements in the Official Academic Catalog
The M.M. degree in Performance – Collaborative Piano requires a minimum of 40 credit hours for graduation. Students must complete the Collaborative Piano core and one of the two tracks — vocal or instrumental.
Culminating Experience: Students in the Collaborative Piano program must present a recital in each year of their study.
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission to the graduate collaborative piano program, all applicants are required to take a live audition. In addition to the graduate application, applicants must submit a professional resume as well as their complete solo, chamber, and collaborative repertoire lists, including songs, arias, sonatas/multi-movement works, concerti, selected scenes or complete operas.
The audition for the graduate collaborative piano program consists of the following:
- One major solo piano work performed from memory that demonstrates your technical ability and musicianship.
- Two contrasting instrumental works, one of which must be a sonata movement. The second work may be another sonata movement or a substantial standalone piece, such as Schumann Fantasiestücke or Britten Lachrymae.
- Two art songs representing linguistic variety
- One aria
- One quick-study piece to be assigned roughly one week prior to the audition
The list of repertoire to be performed at the applicant’s audition must be submitted along with your application. Once an applicant’s audition program has been submitted, any changes must be approved by the Keyboard Division Chair. Appropriate collaborators from the School of Music will be provided. Rehearsals with collaborators may only be scheduled in the two weeks prior to the audition.
An interview will be conducted by the Keyboard Division faculty as part of the audition process. For further information, contact program director Emely Phelps emely.phelps@ohio.edu.
English Proficiency Requirement: Please review information about Ohio University's minimum English Language Proficiency requirements for graduate study.
School of Music Graduate Auditions & Admissions
International Students
This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program. A TOEFL score of 80+ is required for non-native English speakers.
Share Your Musical Interests
The School of Music at Ohio University offers a variety of musical ensembles designed to meet the educational and artistic needs of our majors, and also qualified students from other academic disciplines who wish to continue their involvement in music performance.
School of Music large ensemble offerings include choral groups, symphony and campus orchestras, three symphonic bands, two jazz ensembles, and the marching band. The Opera Theater presents at least one main stage production each year as well as a recital of opera scenes.
In addition to the large performing ensembles, students may choose to participate in small mixed groups including the New Music Ensemble, jazz combos, and various woodwind, brass, and string chamber ensembles. Smaller vocal ensembles are often formed from within each choral group. Like-instrumental ensembles such as Flute Choir, Clarinet Choir, Saxophone Quartets, Brass Quintets, Trumpet Ensemble, Trombone Choir, Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and Jazz Percussion Ensemble are also available to interested students.
OHIO's Performing Arts Series
Ohio University's premier concert and performance series, organized by the Division of Student Affairs, and hosted in venues across campus, while primarily staging concerts and events at the Templeton-Blackburn Memorial Auditorium.
The Performing Arts series is home to a wide variety of arts and entertainment, from Grammy-award winning Kenny G and South Africa's Ladysmith Black Mambazo to the Wizard of Oz play and country singer Sara Evans. The Memorial Auditorium and Stuart’s Opera House host some of the University and community’s top shows, acts, and events. We also host a regular film series and an acoustic showcase for movie and music buffs alike.
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Contact Us
For more information, contact Dr. Emely Phelps at emely.phelps@ohio.edu.
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