The Esther Boyer College of Music offers the Master of Music
in Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music, and the Master of Music in Piano
Accompanying and Opera Coaching.
The Master of Music in Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music
equips pianists to play in small ensembles and to accompany soloists. Students are
trained to listen to the many events occurring simultaneously in ensembles, to learn how
to conduct rehearsals, to appreciate how text can affect musical performance, to
distinguish between the many different kinds of ensemble participation depending upon the
media, and to develop their pianistic skills to meet the demands of advanced chamber and
accompanied works.
The Master of Music in Piano Accompanying and Opera Coaching
is directed toward pianists who wish to make accompanying and opera coaching the focus of
their professional lives. Students learn about the many skills required of opera
singers, including diction, foreign languages, vocal technique, stage movement, and
acting. Additionally, students learn to negotiate unpianistic piano reductions that
are often part of this scene. Finally, students learn how to conduct rehearsals in a
professional setting, and become aware of the special problems encountered by singers.
The Master of Music in Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music,
and the Master of Music in Piano Accompanying and Opera Coaching consists of 30 credit
hours of course work ordinarily taken over a period of two years. All classes are
offered on the Main campus.
The Esther Boyer College of Music is accredited by the
National Association of Schools of Music.
