2022-2023 Academic Catalog

Offered in: Chicago

The goals of the Piano program are to prepare the student for the many facets of a diverse performance career (soloist, collaborative pianist, and chamber musician) and to provide the student with the musical skills and pedagogical background to become a productive teacher.

The graduate program's objectives are to:

• Develop and refine technical and musical abilities through the study and performance of challenging works from the traditional and modern repertories.
• Provide ongoing solo and ensemble performing experiences; expand the student's knowledge of the family of keyboard instruments and relevant performance practices.
• Introduce principles and methods for teaching adult students, including instructional techniques for group piano classes, from beginning through advanced levels.
• Provide opportunities to investigate musical topics and repertories in academic courses.

No prescribed technical or repertory requirements are in place for graduate students. The four semesters of applied study are directed toward building strengths, addressing areas of weakness or deficiency, and preparing a recital program of major works from the piano repertory that is at least 60 minutes in length and encompasses at least four stylistic periods (including at least one 20th or 21st-century work). For further information, consult the program requirements in the Music Conservatory Student Handbook.

The program requires completion of 40 credits. Students may pursue intensive studies in Collaborative Piano by completing both one-year sequences of background courses and practica in vocal and instrumental collaboration,  PERF 461 SEMINAR IN VOCAL COLLABORATION FOR PIANISTS,PERF 462 PRACTICUM IN VOCAL COLLABORATION, PERF 463 SEMINAR: INSTRUMENTAL COLLABORATION FOR PIANISTS, and PERF 464 PRACTICUM IN INSTRUMENTAL COLLABORATION, bringing the total number of credits to 43.

Admission requirements

Please consult the CCPA Admission and Audition Information web page for audition requirements for piano.  

Requirements

The minimum passing grade in the major sequence (PIA 411 PIANO (MAJOR) through PIA 414 PIANO (MAJOR), as well as in three semesters of PERF 451 MASTER OF MUSIC JURY and PERF 428 GRADUATE RECITAL, is B-.

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Music academic electives will include at least one MAS (Music Academic Studies) course. Other 400-level courses from subject areas MCMP (Music Composition), MTA (Music Theory and Analysis), and MUHL (Music History and Literature) may be taken in fulfillment of this requirement.

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.