Creatively Together While Apart
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The Collaborative Piano curriculum is designed for pianists seeking to develop and refine their piano ensemble skills.
The curriculum provides a foundation of studies in performance and interpretation of instrumental and vocal chamber music, from duo sonatas and art songs, to any combination of voice and/or instruments with piano in chamber ensembles.
A specialized field of study, the Master of Music in Collaborative Piano program is designed for the advanced pianist interested in chamber music or vocal accompanying and coaching. Graduates pursue advanced degrees and careers in solo performance, chamber music performance, professional studio accompanying and vocal coaching, as well as choral and opera accompanying.
There are national and international competition opportunities under the guidance of your applied professor.
As an “All-Steinway School,” you will have access to the best available new grand pianos in reserved practice rooms, rehearsal rooms, teaching studios and concert spaces. Shenandoah also has a full-time Steinway Piano technician in charge of maintaining these fine instruments.
The Shenandoah faculty has strong, personal and professional connections with many of the major summer music festivals, as well as the other top schools of music and teachers throughout the world, so professional networking is readily accessible to you.
Career and Salary Possibilities
Our degree prepares you for orchestral playing, vocal studio and recital accompanying, opera coaching and rehearsal accompanying, teaching (both private and university level), choral accompanying and directing, chamber music performing, artistic management, performance with music festivals, and vocal coaching if you pursue your DMA.
Classes
You’ll gain a number of skills that translate beyond performance including the ability to think for yourself as a musician, understand a healthy approach to technique, develop skills in self-promotion, communicate and reach out to the broader community and learn effective program building for performances.
The Master of Music in Collaborative Piano will help you refine your ensemble performance skills. The curriculum provides a foundation of studies in performance and interpretation supported by a knowledge base in historical and analytical areas, including:
- Vast repertoire for piano chamber music (with instruments) and piano/vocal repertoire
- Enhanced skills working with other musicians in rehearsal and performance settings
- Many “dialects” (styles of music from early Baroque to the most recent 21st century), vocal repertoire (French, German, British/American, etc.), language diction and the history of chamber music with piano
- A wide range of instrumental and vocal techniques and timbres, and learn how these combine with each other and the piano to create the sound palettes
- Skills in effective recital and concert program building
View Full Collaborative Piano Curriculum
Faculty
Shenandoah’s student-teacher ratio is low, allowing you to develop strong, supportive professional relationships with professors. These relationships often continue after graduation, where students benefit from teachers who remain mentors and friends for life. You will have one-on-one study with a major piano professor throughout each program and advanced instrumental and vocal students are also available for collaborative performing opportunities.
Shenandoah Conservatory’s prestigious faculty is dynamic, creative, and passionately committed to the highest levels of artistic excellence. A deeply caring community, they mentor students with a wealth of professional expertise, balancing rigorous expectations with compassion and wisdom. At Shenandoah, you will study with, and perform for, award-winning composers, Metropolitan Opera singers, Grammy Award winning conductors and international competition winners. You will learn from leading scholars in music and premiere works created by accomplished dance artists and cutting-edge directors. Shenandoah Conservatory’s faculty embodies the highest levels of professional accomplishment and the deepest commitment to furthering the artistic growth and creative aspirations of students in every discipline.
Application and Audition Information
Admission to Shenandoah Conservatory graduate programs is highly competitive and the audition schedule fills rapidly. Early application and audition registration is recommended.