Master of Music in Piano Performance

Coordinator:
Joseph L. Shively
308 Varner Hall
(248) 370-2287
shively@oakland.edu

Program description

The Master of Music in piano performance is a 36-credit program for highly experienced pianists, designed to enable them to expand their knowledge of repertoire and technique, and to further their personal performance skills and musical understanding.

Admission terms and application deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Admissions by the semester deadlines listed below.

• November 15, 2011 for the Winter 2012 semester
• March 15, 2012 for the Summer 2012 semester
• July 15, 2012 for the Fall 2012 semester
• November 15, 2012 for the Winter 2013 semester
• March 15, 2013 for the Summer 2013 semester
• July 15, 2013 for the Fall 2013 semester

International applicants:  International applications are reviewed for fall and winter admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment to the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission and by September 1 for winter admission.

Special Graduate classification:  Applicants who are seeking a graduate degree or graduate certificate, but are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required application materials or credentials for graduate admission, may contact the department and request Special Graduate temporary admission.  The applicant must submit an Application for Admission to Graduate Study, plus a copy of a transcript providing evidence of a bachelor’s degree awarded and any specific evidence concerning their qualifications for graduate study as required by the department.  Up to 12 credits may be earned in the Special Graduate classification. Admission as a special graduate student in no way assures subsequent admission to a degree or graduate certificate program.

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following University and Program application documents by the published application deadlines.

University application requirements 

• Application for Admission to Graduate Study         
• Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
• Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
  • As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
• Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
• Proof of English language proficiency
• International supplemental application and supporting documentation  must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate.

Program application requirements and admission criteria

• Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree in music from a regionally accredited institution or proof of a U.S. equivalent degree for foreign educated applicants.
• Two years of music theory, one year of music history, and piano performance ability; OR background equivalent to these requirements
• Applicants must submit a written statement of professional goals by completing the “goals section” on the online Application for Admission to Graduate Study.
• Applicants must schedule and perform a successful audition that shows an appropriate level of prior experience and potential for success in the program.
        For piano performance, contact Professor Yin Zheng  (zheng2@oakland.edu) 

Admission review and assessment

Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to the Master of Music in piano performance program, the department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, audition, and any other admission requirement established by the academic program.  

Music history and theory assessments

During the first year of graduate study, students participate in both music history and theory assessments to determine placement in graduate-level history and theory courses.

Assessment takes place during the week prior to the first semester of graduate study (Fall, Winter and Summer). Students are encouraged to review the preparation materials posted on the department web site prior to taking the assessments. Students may also contact the history and theory faculty for guidance about preparation materials and expectations.

Students whose work on the assessments indicates that they need further preparation should review the online materials again and, at the beginning of the following semester, retake the portions of the assessments that were not satisfactory. Following the retake, students who need further remedial work are required to enroll in the respective continuing-education course(s) in theory and/or history offered by the department annually. Students whose work in the continuing-education courses is satisfactory may then enroll in graduate history and theory courses. The continuing education courses are not graduate courses and do not count toward the graduate degree.

Regardless of the results of these assessments, students may enroll in MUS 500 or any other music or music education graduate course during their first semesters. Enrollment in graduate-level music history and theory only is monitored by these assessments.  For information about these assessments, contact Professor Joseph Shively, coordinator of the master’s program at shively@oakland.edu.