Master of Music in Piano Performance

Piano studio at Central provides a comprehensive curriculum and education that includes private lessons, studio classes, master classes, recitals for both solo and chamber music, and pedagogy. Students have the opportunity to work with nationally known performers and soloists, chamber musicians, and guest lecturers throughout their studies. Students will build a solid foundation and technique while expanding their depth of musicianship.

Piano studies students are expected to learn and maintain a healthy, effective, and committed practice ethic. They are guided in the search to find their own musical voice as well as enrichment studies in career development and performance/presentation skills. Our piano faculty guides and inspires students to prepare for a career as a professional musician and provides personalized lessons for students at all stages of development. The goal of the piano studio at Central is to prepare musicians to become exceptional performers and educators who are aware of the impact of their voices and work on their communities.

Admission into the institution does not assure admission into the music program. In addition to general university guidelines for admission to the master\u2019s program through the Graduate School, the following requirements apply to the master of music degree: Candidates must have a bachelor\u2019s degree from an accredited college with a major in music or its equivalent. Acceptance into a specific major field will require an evaluation of a candidate\u2019s ability conducted by a committee of three faculty members, two of whom will be from the particular major field. Normally one of these two will serve as the candidate\u2019s graduate advisor, and the committee as a whole may serve as the candidate\u2019s graduate committee. In addition, non-performance majors must also demonstrate a level of musicianship equal to what would be considered appropriate for 300-level study. Students may demonstrate this level of musicianship in several ways, appropriate to the desired degree program or deemed appropriate by the evaluating committee after consultation with the student. Examples include, but are not limited to, a performance audition in an applied area or conducting (live or taped), a videotape or audiotape of a performance directed by the applicant, or a videotape of a music lesson or class taught by the applicant. Interviews and auditions with CWU music faculty may be arranged at any time, but it is recommended that initial contact be made by November, with plans for interviews and auditions beginning in mid to late January, particularly if one is applying for a Graduate Assistantship. A 3.0 cumulative Grade Point Average - GPA - or above (on a 4.0 scale) is required to be academically admissible. The Graduate School calculates the last 90 quarter hour or last 60 semester hour GPA. A score of 213 or above on the computer-based TOEFL, A score of 79 or above on the Internet-based TOEFL. a minimum International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) academic score of 6.5 (scores should be no more than two years old at the time of application)