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| eugenephoen / cc |
A few days ago, a reader posed this question on the long-running discussion of the Degree and Diplomas in Collaborative Piano post:
I'm helping a Chinese friend search for the best US university for an MM in Collaborative Piano. If you could offer some advice that'd be great.
Thanks for the comment and important question! That's one of the central issues for the increasingly large influx of pianists coming from China looking for collaborative piano degrees at the Master of Music level. The choices of these pianists won't just be about choosing the most famous teacher, but should also include:
- ESL support
- Affordable housing, either on or off campus
- Affordable health care
- A vibrant music scene, both on and off campus
- Financial aid, including scholarships, assistantships, or fellowships
- An effective path to entry in the profession, either in North America or China
- [Edit] Thanks to an anonymous commenter for one of the most important: Quality of potential collaborative partners within the music school
What schools would you recommend for these reasons? Leave a comment below. You can also track the discussion on the Collaborative Piano Blog Facebook Page.
This is a vital question in particular for those seeking Masters degrees. There are generally fewer spots in college and university collaborative programs than there are for doctoral students. I am curious to hear others' responses. I would think availability of other good student musicians to perform as much repertoire with as possible would also be a factor.
ReplyDeleteYes, the quality of potential collaborative partners should be a huge consideration. I look forward to hearing people's responses.
DeletePS, if you could add Appalachian State University's Hayes School of Music to your list of schools with masters in collaborative piano. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anon.
DeleteFlorida State University has a great program for instrumental and vocal accompanying. Great facilities, great town and mamy excellent students and faculty to work with.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Wayne!
DeleteHaving just graduated from CCM with my MM in Collab Piano, I can tell you that Prof. Ken Griffiths (head of the Collab dept) loves working with international and ESL students. My fellow Collabs were Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, Ukrainian, etc... I was in fact the only American in the program at the time. Plus the cost of living is very cheap in Cincinnati, but the opportunities for making music in this city are endless! All Collab majors receive full tuition and at least partial assistantships (but most of us were on full assistantships). Definitely a place to check out.
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt! You forgot to mention the amazing chili in Cincinnati. BTW I'm a huge Ken Griffiths fan.
DeleteHi Matt. Do you know if the scholarship covers living costs for international applicants?
DeleteI am a Chinese student working on collaborative piano master's degree at SUNY Fredonia. It is a small campus with nice faculty. It is a great place to study, it's affordable, and safe place to live. All of my partners have been Americans which it has been a great way to exchange cultural differences, techniques, and styles of music. The ESL program and working with Americans has greatly improved my English. I received a piano scholarship
ReplyDeleteI am a Chinese student working on collaborative piano master's degree at SUNY Fredonia. It is a small campus with nice faculty. It is a great place to study, it's affordable, and safe place to live. All of my partners have been Americans which it has been a great way to exchange cultural differences, techniques, and styles of music. The ESL program and working with Americans has greatly improved my English. I received a piano scholarship
ReplyDelete