» Solo Piano Performance

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The Bachelor of Music (BM) in Solo Piano Performance program at Chapman encourages creativity, community, excellence, inclusion and collaboration. We foster an environment that encourages a robust exchange of ideas. All members of our community should feel respected in pursuit of excellence in piano, knowing that each pianist is following a unique path.

Our piano curriculum is well-rounded and includes traditional, rigorous performance training through courses such as Business of Music, Principles of Piano Technology (tuning and repair), Improvisation, Alexander Technique, Film Music, Music Technology, Accompanying and ensemble opportunities. And our curriculum is adapted to support our pianists as 21st-century musicians, aware of the importance of shifting with the changes in the field. This comprehensive piano education upholds a quality foundation of technical and musical mastery while integrating relevant courses for the pianists to gain the tools to be Total Pianists.

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

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An understanding of music theory.
Proficiency with aural skills and sight reading.
Knowledge of different musical styles and historical eras.
Basic piano skills.
The ability to rehearse and perform collaboratively and contribute to an ensemble.
Proficiency with basic music technology.
An understanding and demonstration of basic improvisation techniques.

Knowledge in technique.
Knowledge in historically appropriate performance styles and repertoire.
Sight reading.

Demonstrate leadership, having observed and experienced leadership roles and professional opportunities in order to prepare for a career as a performer.

Employ pedagogical techniques and skills relevant to your instrument family.

Program Faculty

The Solo Piano Performance program is headed by Dr. Grace Fong, a prize-winning American pianist who has gained critical acclaim in the United States, Canada, Europe, United Arab Emirates and Asia. Dr. Fong is Full Professor and Director of Piano Studies at Chapman University’s Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music where she has been awarded the Valerie Scudder award for faculty excellence. She has performed as soloist with major orchestras including the Mariinsky Theater Orchestra under Valery Gergiev and the Halle Orchestra in the United Kingdom under Mark Elder. Dr. Fong is the winner of one of America's most prestigious piano awards, the Christel DeHaan Classical Fellowship of the American Pianists Association. She also won the Grand Prize in piano from the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts and thereafter was named a "Presidential Scholar in the Arts,’” for which she was awarded a performance at the Kennedy Center and presented with a medallion by the President of the United States at the White House. For more information, please visit www.pianistgracefong.com.

Additional Piano Faculty

Our talented and experienced keyboard faculty offer intensive individual instruction (1:3 piano faculty-to-student ratio) as well as weekly master classes for piano majors. Learn more by visiting their profiles below.

Performance Opportunities

As an undergraduate-only program, our solo piano majors have priority for a myriad of performance and study opportunities, including participation in international festivals such as the Amalfi Coast Festival, Paris International Music Academy and Costa Rica International Piano Festival, among others.

Performances include solo recitals, chamber music recitals and more:

Showcase recital each semester.
Music at Noon concert each semester.
Collaborative projects with dance and film students.
Performances with The Chapman Orchestra, University Wind Symphony and New Music Ensemble.
Annual performances in the Chapman Instrumental & Vocal Competition.
Weekly studio class performances with feedback from four piano faculty.
Guest artist masterclass performances two or three times each semester.

Guest Artists

Master classes with world-renowned artists have featured pianists Sergei Babayan, Eduardo Delgado, Vadym Kholodenko and John Perry, to name a few. Also, the annual Musco Distinguished Piano Series presents world-renowned pianists in concert and in master classes in Musco Center for the Arts, our 1044-seat, world-class auditorium.

Other Perks

You'll never have to wait to use grand piano practice rooms because our piano majors have reservation priority.
You can option to double-major in another music or non-music program and complete both in four years thanks to full support from your faculty.
You'll have career support from our dedicated performing arts career advisor from day one and beyond graduation.
Our piano students have:
- studied and performed works of BIPOC composers.
- worked with GRAMMY-winning musicians.
- won the jazz pianist position on Disney Cruiselines.
- become the youngest piano technician in the Orange County Piano Technicians Guild.
- performed at Carnegie Hall.
- performed at the Mozarteum in Germany.
- been invited to perform at the Robert Schumann Museum in Zwichau, Germany.
- won top prizes in local, state, national and international piano competitions.
- matriculated at a high rate to pursue advanced degrees at top-level music schools.

Where This Degree Will Take You

Professional Performance, both solo and collaborative
Recording Artist
Music Industry Professional
Piano Technician
Piano Pedagogy
Collegiate Music Education
Elementary Music Education

What's more, by adding a second major or minor in another music or non-music discipline, students may harness their Solo Piano Performance degree in even more diverse careers after graduation.

Career Connections for Life

We support the paths our pianists choose after graduation from Chapman, whether that be graduate school to pursue advanced degrees in piano performance, pedagogy, music education, arts management, music therapy, or non-music degrees; launch a teaching studio; perform in classical or non-classical genres (accompanying, self-created ensembles, jazz, musical theater, popular music), or work in the music industry. Your dedicated career advisor will help you define your goals and develop a plan to reach them.

Admission and Tour Information

Want to learn more about Chapman? We are always available for tours and information sessions and we’d love to meet you! Visit the links below to learn more about applying to the conservatory on our Music Admission page, including information about auditions and deadlines, or check out the solo piano curriculum on our catalog page.

Music Admission Info Course Catalog Tours & Info Sessions

Our performance season begins in fall of each academic year. Watch this space for upcoming music event and ticketing information as it becomes available!

» Solo Piano Performance

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

Demonstrate fluent musicianship skills, including:

Demonstrate performance skills as a soloist on your main instrument, including:

Demonstrate leadership:

Employ pedagogical techniques and skills: