Master of Music in Piano Performance/Piano Pedagogy

Integrate high-level piano performance skills with pedagogical components and credentials with the Master of Music in Piano Performance/Piano Pedagogy in Temple’s Boyer College of Music and Dance. This 39-credit master’s program is intended for advanced pianists interested in chamber music, vocal accompaniment and coaching, as well as students seeking careers as accompanists, teachers, coaches and collaborators.

Through the Piano Performance/Piano Pedagogy MM program, you will be exposed to a wide range of musical repertoire. Hands-on training complements an innovative curriculum and ample opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and networking. This program places an emphasis on work ethic, collaboration and interest in diverse musical styles. The ultimate goal of the program is to develop cumulative knowledge and skills in music and, more specifically, keyboard. You will also be prepared for careers as educators, where you will be able to help relay the skills and habits of piano performance to other students. Courses taken in research, theory, history, pedagogy and performance practice will inform graduates’ future career choices.

Audition Requirements

An audition is required for admittance into the Piano Performance/Piano Pedagogy MM program. The following is a list of competencies expected of any admitted student.

  • An ability to accompany songs in different languages (e.g., French, Italian, German, etc.) 
  • An ability to accompany an operatic aria 
  • An ability to play a number of sonatas at varying tempos 
  • An ability to sight read a vocal piece

Find out more about audition requirements for the Piano Performance/Piano Pedagogy MM program.

Program Format & Curriculum

The Master of Music in Piano Performance/Piano Pedagogy is a 39-credit master’s program. Courses are offered on Temple’s Main Campus and students are able to take up to six semesters to complete the program.

Courses you are likely to take as part of the Piano Performance/Piano Pedagogy MM curriculum include the following.

  • Baroque Keyboard Performance 
  • Listening/Learning Skills Piano 
  • Piano Accompanying Chamber Music
  • Recital Accompanying 

Learn more about the innovative curriculum comprising the Piano Performance/Piano Pedagogy MM program.

Culminating Events

Comprehensive Final Project: All candidates for the Master of Music degree must submit a list of all repertoire studied with their studio teacher while enrolled in the program. Students choose two stylistically contrasting pieces from their final recital program. The goal is to demonstrate cumulative knowledge and skills gained during the course of study at the master’s level. Courses taken in research, theory, history, pedagogy and performance practice can inform the discussion of the particular works chosen by the student. Students choose to give either an oral presentation or submit a written document that addresses several of the following topics.

  • Form and harmonic language of the piece
  • Historical background of the work
  • Aspects of the composer’s style
  • Relationship to other keyboard works by the composer
  • Performance practice considerations     
  • Specific technical problems and their solutions  
  • Other relevant information about the piece

Public Recital: Performance majors present a public recital as the culminating event for the master’s degree. Graduation recitals are typically one hour in length, presented on campus in either Rock Hall or Klein Recital Hall, and adjudicated by three full-time music faculty members. Students must show evidence through Temple University transcript records of having taken private lessons up to the time of the graduation recital. Further details are available from the department chair.

Pedagogy Final Project: A final project will be required for completion of the degree. The student will write a research-quality paper of 15–20 pages based on important pedagogical theories and/or practices. The chair of the department and appropriate faculty with expertise in piano pedagogy will guide the topic of the paper and will grade the final project.

Related Graduate Degrees

Related Graduate Certificates

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Master of Music offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2024–2025 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,239.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,652.00 per credit

You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

BC-PPPP-MMUS

Additional Program Information