Degree Offered
- Master of Music
Nature of the Program
WVU offers a Master of Music degree in Piano Pedagogy. This program offers a variety of courses and comprehensive experience in individual and group piano instruction.
This Master of Music degree is designed to provide advanced training to help prepare students to teach piano successfully in an independent studio, community music program or college. Topics covered may include:
- Teaching students of all ages
- Teaching students at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels
- Teaching in private- and group-lesson formats
- Evaluating recommended music, methods and materials
- Using technology to enhance music teaching
- Developing well-rounded curriculum for pre-college students
- Teaching students how to help their pupils develop a healthy and efficient technique as well as musical and stylistic playing
- Reviewing research on learning theory, memorization and other topics of importance to piano teachers
- Operating the independent studio as a successful business
- Special topics related to teaching college group instruction and private students
- Special topics related to teaching pre-college and advanced students
Admissions for 2025-2026
All applicants to the MM in Performance degree must demonstrate proficiency in the primary area of specialization via an audition before a panel of School of Music faculty; in-person auditions are preferred, but video auditions may be considered via consultation with appropriate faculty. Applicants must earn a Performance Level nine for admission.
An undergraduate piano performance or collaborative piano degree is required. Applicants to this program must present the necessary credentials to evaluate previous training and experience to the School of Music.
These include transcripts from all institutions previously attended showing a grade point average of at least 3.0 in all undergraduate studies to be considered for admission. A jury is required at the end of the first semester.
Major Code: 3743
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher required. | ||
| Performance: Piano (four semesters at two credit hours each) | 8 | |
| Performance: Piano (Repeated) | ||
| MUSC 689 | Master's Recital | 2 |
| MUSC 771 | Music Research and Bibliography | 3 |
| Keyboard Performance/Pedagogy | 6 | |
| Keyboard Performance and Pedagogy (Repeated) | ||
| Pedagogy Project | 4 | |
| Independent Study | ||
| Complete one Music Theory course or one Music History course from the following: | 2-3 | |
| Music Theory | ||
| Upper Division Composition | ||
| Counterpoint, 18th Century | ||
| Analysis of Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Music | ||
| Compositional Techniques in Contemporary Music | ||
| Electronic Music | ||
| Techniques for Electronic Music Performance | ||
| Jazz and Commercial Music Harmony | ||
| Theory Topics | ||
| Pedagogy of Theory | ||
| Analytical Techniques | ||
| Compositional Techniques in Contemporary Music | ||
| Music History | ||
| Topics in Popular Music | ||
| Topics in the Study of Western Art Music | ||
| Topics in the History of Jazz | ||
| Topics in Music of Sub-Saharan Africa | ||
| Topics in Musics of the Americas | ||
| Topics in Musics of East Asia | ||
| Topics in Musics of South Asia | ||
| Topics in Gender and Sexuality in Music | ||
| Topics in Race and Ethnicity in Music | ||
| Topics in Musics of the Arab World | ||
| Music of Africa | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Perspectives of Musicology and Ethnomusicology | ||
| Keyboard Literature | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Independent Study | ||
MUSC 796 | Graduate Seminar | |
| Music Electives | 4-5 | |
| Ensembles (2 semesters) | 2 | |
| Comprehensive Oral Examination | ||
| Total Hours | 31-33 | |
Major Learning Outcomes
Piano Pedagogy
Students who earn the Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy will develop:
- Advanced competencies in pedagogy specific to the study of piano and its repertory.
- Knowledge and skills in one or more fields of music outside the major such as history and literature, theory and analysis, musicology and ethnomusicology, and recording and studio techniques.