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Performance (Collaborative Piano), MM

Grow your creativity and passion for collaboration, learning within an immersive musical environment. Showcase your performances across numerous opportunities on and off campus.

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A pianist plays alongside a flutist on a stage, showcasing hands-on learning in the Performance (Collaborative Piano), MM.

Quick facts

Additional facts

STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.

Accreditation

The National Association of Schools of Music accredits Arizona State U...

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Performance (Collaborative Piano), MM degree description

The Master of Music program in performance with a concentration in collaborative piano gives you the opportunity to perform with all instrumental areas and voice, focusing on collaborative endeavors such as song recitals, instrumental duos, chamber music, and operatic and musical theatre productions, and participation in large ensembles.

You refine your pianistic technique while developing the specific knowledge and abilities necessary to be skilled and sensitive musical collaborators, preparing you for advanced careers in music. As a collaborative piano student, you have an impact on every area of the School of Music, Dance and Theatre through your work with opera and musical theatre singers, orchestral instrumentalists, choral and large ensembles, composers, theatre artists, and dance colleagues.

Why specialize in collaborative piano at ASU?

Learn from internationally recognized artists, educators and scholars who bring expert guidance to your studies. Perform in faculty, guest artist and student works throughout the year and tap into a network of alumni, internships, residencies and partnerships spanning the arts. You can also tailor your focus toward performance, teaching, administration or interdisciplinary practice, shaping a pathway that fits your goals.

Curriculum

This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:

32 credit hours and a written comprehensive exam

Required Core (4 credit hours)
MUP 527 Studio Instruction (4)

Concentration (14 credit hours)
MUP 511 Studio Instruction: Piano (4)
MUP 527 Studio Instruction: Collaborative Piano (4)
MUP 588 Collaborative Piano (2)
MUP 596 Solo Performance (2)
MUP 597 Solo Performance (2)

Electives (2-3 credit hours)

Other Studies in Music (11-12 credit hours)
Music history (6)
Music theory (5-6)

Culminating Experience (0 credit hours)
Written comprehensive exam (0)

Additional Curriculum Requirements
The Other Studies in Music requirement consists of six credit hours of MHL coursework and five to six credit hours of MTC coursework.

All new graduate music students are required to complete diagnostic exams in musicology and music theory before enrolling in courses for these programs through the ASU School of Music, Dance and Theatre. This is tracked internally within the academic unit.

Additional information on requirements for this degree is available on the curriculum checksheet located on the Music, Dance and Theatre graduate degree page.


What you'll learn

The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.

  • Develop performance practices in the context of diverse musical settings and genres, demonstrating familiarity with the literature of their instrument.
  • Evaluate their instrument’s repertoire and pedagogy to develop a unique musical style.
  • Produce a research study focusing on musical elements, social uses of music, and interplay among performers, composers, and institutions

Admission requirements

Here are the admission and application details

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.

Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. School of Music, Dance and Theatre application (including a resume, personal statement and repertoire list)
  4. three letters of recommendation
  5. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. The School of Music, Dance and Theatre does not offer conditional admission under any circumstances.

Applicants must perform an audition for admission. Auditions are scheduled after complete application materials are received, including recommendation letters, transcripts and proof of English proficiency. Information about the audition may be found at the School of Music, Dance and Theatre website.

A bachelor's degree in music is not required for admission to a master's program. However, all applicants without a bachelor's degree in music should email MDTAdmissions@asu.edu for information on potential courses to complete. Additional courses may be taken at ASU, another accredited university or a community college before or after admission to this program, but they must be completed before starting required graduate-level courses in music history and music theory.

Applicants should see the program website for application deadlines.

Application deadlines

Fall
Session Modality Deadline Type
Session A/C In Person 12/01 Final*
Spring
Session Modality Deadline Type
Session A/C In Person 10/15 Final*

*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.

Paying for college

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Get an estimate

Career opportunities

Careers this collaborative piano concentration prepares you for

School of Music, Dance and Theatre graduate programs inspire and empower students to become creative leaders who transform society through music.

Musicians with expertise in performing, composing, teaching, researching and arts advocacy are in high demand across many sectors. They are welcomed in many professional areas, including performing arts organizations, educational institutions, entertainment companies, health and wellness industries, and community arts organizations. They thrive doing collaborative work in music-related fields such as media production, music business, publishing and marketing.

Skills such as creativity, collaboration, innovation, entrepreneurship and the focused discipline needed for success as a musician are all highly valued by a wide variety of companies and professions.

Career examples for collaborative pianists include:

  • performing as a collaborative pianist with singers, instrumentalists, choral ensembles or large instrumental ensembles
  • performing as a pianist for musical theatre or opera productions
  • performing as a pianist for music recording and studio work
  • teaching in a private studio or community music program
  • teaching as a university professor or staff pianist
  • working as a vocal coach
Number 2 in the U.S. for employability among public universities. ASU ahead of UCLA, University of Michigan and Purdue. Global Employability University Ranking and Survey, 4 years, 2023 to 2026.

Contact information

Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.

School of Music, Dance and Theatre | MUSIC E167
mdtadmissions@asu.edu
480-965-5069
Admission deadlines

Frequently asked questions about degree programs

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

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