Instrumental Performance

Undergraduate instrumentalists at Carnegie Mellon can earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Performance in every orchestral instrument, as well as bagpipes, euphonium, guitar, and saxophone.

The heart of the Instrumental Performance major is the private studio instruction by Carnegie Mellon’s world-class faculty. With a close relationship to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the School of Music faculty includes 20 PSO members, many of whom are principal players in the Orchestra. Renowned faculty from other parts of the country also travel to campus to teach instrumental majors in private studio and master class settings.

Understanding that every complete musician needs strong experience in major ensembles and chamber music, the School of Music places great importance on its orchestral and wind ensemble programs. Performing in the beautiful Carnegie Music Hall, only a short walk from campus, both ensembles present a full season of public performances, and have produced highly acclaimed recordings. The Contemporary Ensemble, Baroque Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble, as well as Percussion Ensemble and other smaller groups round out the wide range of performance opportunities for instrumentalists.

Curriculum

Piano Performance

Undergraduates at Carnegie Mellon can earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Performance (Piano). The heart of the piano performance major is the private studio instruction by Carnegie Mellon’s world-class faculty. Master classes by renowned visiting artists augment those of the resident faculty.

Collaborative playing is an important component of the keyboard curriculum. Piano majors receive supervised instruction in collaborative piano, keyboard harmony, and chamber music.

A two-year program leading to certification in piano pedagogy is available to interested piano majors. Students learn to teach piano in a closely supervised environment of class piano instruction through the Carnegie Mellon Preparatory School. This program has received national acclaim as a model of excellence, with Preparatory School students consistently capturing prestigious awards in national piano competitions.

Curriculum

Vocal Performance

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Performance (Voice) program at Carnegie Mellon prepares singers for professional careers in opera and the concert stage. Alumni of the School of Music are currently performing with orchestras and opera companies around the world, as well as performing on Broadway.

Vocal performance majors study the classical bel canto technique with an emphasis on vocal health. Four semesters of acting and dance enhance their performance skills. Each year, the School of Music presents two fully-staged productions in the Philip Chosky Theatre at the Purnell Center for The Arts, and a third fully-staged production in Alumni Concert Hall. All productions are designed by students in the School of Drama. 

Vocal performance majors also study Italian, French, and German, as well as English language diction; junior and senior year recitals include repertoire in all four languages. 

While there is close collaboration between the School of Music and the designers of the School of Drama, it is important to note that the vocal performance major in the School of Music is a separate program of study from the music theater major in the School of Drama. Talented young singers and actors may wish to apply to both programs with separate auditioning processes for each.

For more information about the School of Drama and the Music Theater Major, please visit the School of Drama Website here, or call 412-268-3847.

Curriculum