Collaborative Piano Studies at the Eastman School of Music

The Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester offers both Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music, presided over by Dr. Jean Barr, who was the first person ever to be awarded a doctorate in the field. About the program:

The training of pianists as artistic collaborators is the goal of the graduate programs in piano accompanying. Collaborative pianists must have the same technical skills as soloists, plus knowledge of languages, diction, sonata and duo repertory, vocal repertory, and chamber music. Recital requirements include performances with instrumentalists and vocalists. The lively performance scene at Eastman creates a willing body of collaborators and many performance opportunities for accompanying majors. Guest artists and lecturers have included Bettie Buccheri, Jonathan Feldman, Graham Johnson, Warren Jones, Martin Katz, Gwendolyn Koldofsky, Tom Muraco, Robert Spillman, and Roger Vignoles.

There is plenty of information on the site, with sections on audition requirements and procedures, audition information for current Eastman students, detailed course information, and handbooks for each degree.

If you're interested in applying for one of the Eastman programs, you'll need to take a close look at the Accompanying Audition Repertoire List, especially regarding the song selections, which you'll need to learn in high, medium, and low keys.

For more information, contact Dr. Jean Barr at jbarr [at] esm dot rochester dot edu.

Disclaimer: I studied at the Eastman School of Music, where I received both a Master of Music (1991) and Doctor of Musical Arts (1994).

Complete listing of Degree and Diploma Programs in Collaborative Piano