• cellist, violinist, and pianist performing
Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music

Collaborative Piano Performance

ยป Bachelor of Music in Performance, Collaborative Piano

The Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Collaborative Piano Performance is an intensive degree program featuring a course of study that includes piano literature, piano pedagogy, piano accompaniment, and chamber music, among others. Collaborative Piano students take an additional semester of foreign language and courses in Diction for Singers and Song Literature. Students also give a senior collaborative piano recital and a half-solo piano recital.

The program is widely known for the high achievement of our students in local, state, national and international piano competitions. We welcome your interest in our program and look forward to helping you turn your passion into profession!

By the time you graduate you'll be prepared to:

  • Demonstrate fluent musicianship skills, including:
    • an understanding of music theory
    • proficiency with aural skills and sight reading
    • knowledge of different musical styles and historical eras
    • basic piano skills
    • ability to rehearse and perform collaboratively and contribute to an ensemble
    • proficiency with basic music technology
    • an understanding and demonstration of basic improvisation techniques
  • Demonstrate performance skills as a soloist on your main instrument, including:
    • knowledge in technique
    • historically appropriate performance styles and repertoire
    • sight reading
  • Demonstrate leadership after having observed and experienced leadership roles and professional opportunities in preparation for a career as a performer
  • Employ pedagogical techniques and skills relevant to your instrument family

More information about program courses and requirements is available on our Collaborative Piano Performance catalog page.


Performance Opportunities

The numerous performance opportunities for pianists at Chapman include:

  • solo recitals
  • chamber recitals
  • New Music Ensemble
  • annual concerto competition
  • accompanying recitals
  • solo concerto performances with The Chapman Orchestra
  • and more!

And many of our students compete in national and international piano competitions!


Program Faculty and Guest Artists

The Collaborative Piano program is led by Dr. Louise Thomas. She and our other program faculty maintain active performance careers and bring a wealth of professsional experience from today's music industry. The program team is committed to helping you realize your musical aspirations, and dedicates their efforts to equipping you with the tools to succeed as a musician in the 21st century.

Our talented and experienced piano faculty offer intensive individual instruction, as well as weekly master classes for piano majors. And our outstanding accompanying faculty offer training in both vocal and instrumental accompaniment with a recital presented at the end of each semester.


Additional program faculty include:

Guest Artists

Among the master teachers who have appeared at Chapman are:

  • Grant Gershon
  • Andrew Harley
  • Joanne Pearce Martin
  • Stephen McNeff
  • Vicki Ray
  • Gavan Ring
  • Laurence Servaes
  • Alan Smith

Where This Degree Will Take You

Many of our graduates immediately begin their careers as collaborative pianists, though some choose to pursue advanced degrees at leading music schools in the United States, including the University of Southern California, the University of Michigan and Arizona State University. Chapman also offers a Master of Music in Keyboard Collaborative Arts degree program.

As a collaborative pianist, your degree will prepare you for careers in:

  • professional performance, both collaborative and solo
  • piano instruction
  • elementary music education
  • collegiate music education

What's more, by adding a double major or minor in another music or non-music discipline, you may harness your Collaborative Piano Performance degree in even more diverse careers after graduation.

You’ll also have access to free lifetime career advising from our dedicated Career Advisor for the College of Performing Arts. That means that you can get career advice and preparation from the day you begin the program to post-graduation.


Admission and Tour Information

Learn more about applying to the conservatory on our Music Admission page, including information about auditions and deadlines, or check out the curriculum on our catalog page.

Want to learn more about Chapman? We are always available for tours and information sessions. We’d love to meet you!


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