Piano
The piano performance program at VCU’s Department of Music is marked by excellence in both performance and education. The keyboard faculty is an active group of performers and teachers, and dedicated to the musical and career goals of our students. In addition to private study, regular offerings in the keyboard area include piano ensembles and accompanying. Students in these classes often perform in piano trios, quartets, and a wide variety of other chamber music ensembles.
Students who complete the music curriculum in piano receive a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in performance and an emphasis in piano, or a Bachelor of Arts in Music.
In addition to private study, regular offerings in the keyboard area include piano ensembles and accompanying. Students in these classes often perform in piano trios, quartets and a wide variety of other chamber music ensembles.
Performance opportunities
Piano performance majors may participate in a wide variety of chamber music venues. While actively pursuing degrees, students can gain practical and professional experience as ensemble players, accompanists and teachers. The faculty holds master classes weekly, and international guest artists such as Jon Nakamatsu and Pascal Rogé give performances and master classes as part of the Mary Anne Rennolds Chamber Concerts Series.
Facilities
VCU Music boasts three Steinway concert grand pianos — two in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall and one in the James W. Black Music Center Recital Hall. Additionally, there is a Baldwin and a Chickering concert grand piano and all piano teaching studios are equipped with high-quality Steinway or Kawai grand pianos.
There are two practice rooms designated for the exclusive use of piano majors. Students can also sign up to practice in their teacher’s studio when it is not in use.
Awards and recognition
Our students have been frequent prizewinners in major national and international piano competitions, including the Joanna Hodges International Piano Competition, the Stravinsky Competition and the Music Teachers National Association's Collegiate Artist Competition. Many have been featured soloists with professional orchestras as well, including the Seoul Philharmonic, the Park Avenue Symphony of New York, the Charleston Symphony and the Richmond Symphony. Graduates of the VCU piano program have recently been offered graduate scholarships and fellowships at such prestigious institutions as the Lincoln Center Institute, the Eastman School of Music, the Peabody Conservatory, Louisiana State University and the Temple University in Philadelphia.
Interested in auditioning? Please view the piano audition tips.
Click here to see the Piano Faculty.
