Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy
The Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy degree challenges students to pursue leadership in the teaching profession. Significant teaching opportunities (private and group) are available through the Butler Community Arts School for graduate students who are passionate about serving the greater Indianapolis community. Our graduates are thriving studio owners, owners of academies and multi-teacher organizations, successful doctoral degree candidates, and adjunct/full-time faculty.
The piano pedagogy program at Butler University is nationally recognized for its innovative curriculum. Pedagogy classes are designed around essential teaching topics (Organization and Materials, Psychology of Teaching, Technique, Style and Interpretation) instead of general levels or types of students. These topics are explored in-depth, with practical applications to all levels and types of students. Within each topic, students are encouraged to explore various approaches and to assimilate in their teaching the methods that most resonate with their teaching style and future career plans.
Important Dates:
February 1: Application deadline for fall entry, including pre-screening materials.
March 15: Interview and audition deadline for fall entry.
Steps for Applying:
Step 1: Complete the Application for Graduate Admission. NOTE: To submit a graduate application, you need to have previously completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and be seeking an advanced degree. Your Application for Graduate Admission should include:
- Butler Application
- A Professional Statement
- Official transcripts or copies of official transcripts from all colleges and universities where candidates:
- Earned a degree
- Earned more than 15 credits (undergraduate and graduate)
- Completed any program prerequisite (regardless of number of credit hours)
- Completed courses for which candidates are applying for transfer credit
- Resumé
- Two letters of recommendation
- International applicants must provide proof of a minimum level of proficiency in the English language as well as submit additional financial documentation. See the International Student Application process.
Transcripts
Copies of official transcripts may be uploaded in the online application for application review only. Applicants who receive an offer of admission will be required at that time to submit official final transcripts issued directly from the institution(s) for verification prior to enrollment. More information is available in the application for admission.
Step 2: Complete the JCA Graduate Music Supplement. The supplement will appear on your application status page after submitting your Application for Graduate Admission. The supplement is required in order for your application to be considered complete.
Step 3: Submit Pre-Screening materials which includesa video demonstrating your teaching abilities should be emailed to music@butler.edu. The video should include footage of you teaching two different students for a total of 20 minutes in length. It is preferred that video recordings be submitted as a link to an online source such as YouTube, DropBox, GoogleDrive, etc. The email subject line of the email should include your full name plus the words “Piano Ped Pre-Screen”. The body of the email should include the age of each child in your video(s), the number of years of piano study for each child, and the number of years each child has studied with you.
Step 4: Complete an interview and a performance audition with appropriate piano faculty. You will be contacted by the School of Music regarding the results of your pre-screening. If you pass the pre-screening, you will be invited to interview with the Piano Pedagogy faculty as well as complete a piano performance audition with the piano faculty. Students will be asked to perform two solos from two different historical style periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, or 20th/21st Century). Memorization is required. Auditions will also include sight reading. If you have questions or have not been contacted regarding the results of your pre-screening, please email JCAadmissions@butler.edu. For audition repertoire questions, please contact Dr. Kate Boyd at kboyd@butler.edu.
Total Credit Hours: 30 credit hours
Anticipated Duration: 2 years
Degree requires the presentation of a full recital and three-hour pedagogy workshop, both of which will be open to the public.
Required Courses:
- Piano Major lessons
- Piano Studio Class
- Piano Pedagogy Recital
- Piano Pedagogy Workshop Presentation
- Piano Pedagogy Major
- Piano Teaching Practicum
- Piano Pedagogy 1
- Piano Pedagogy 2
- Final Comprehensive Exam
- Piano Literature
- Research in Music
- Music Theory Elective
- General Music Electives
We offer a limited number of graduate assistantships, fellowships, and tuition waivers to graduate music students in the fall of every academic year. Graduate awards are reviewed and renewed annually. To view a full list of graduate assistantship positions visit the Graduate Studies homepage. NOTE: New students applying for entry in the spring semester will not be eligible for a graduate assistantship, fellowship, or tuition waiver, but may apply for the following academic year.
Piano Pedagogy Graduate Assistantship
Eligibility: Full-time, degree-seeking graduate students seeking fall-term entry only. Preference will be given to students pursuing a MM in Piano Pedagogy or Piano Performance; however, students pursuing other degree plans are welcome to apply.
How to apply: Select the Piano Pedagogy assistantship when prompted on the Graduate Application. A pedagogy interview is required, students pursuing the MM in Piano Pedagogy degree will automatically be considered for the assistantship and do not need to complete a separate interview.
Award Details: Includes a full tuition waiver of graduate tuition for 15 credit hours per year plus a stipend.
Duties: Serve as Teaching Fellow for the Butler Community Arts School, including teaching private and/or group piano classes. Provide support for the pedagogy and/or piano department, including the MTNA Collegiate Chapter. Position will require 15 hours of service per week. Schedule and exact number of hours per week are determined at the beginning of the semester.
Faculty supervisors: Karen Thickstun, Instructor of Piano Pedagogy and Lauren Shelton, Director of the Butler Community Arts School
Collaborative Piano Graduate Assistantship
Eligibility: Full-time, degree-seeking graduate students seeking fall term entry only. Preference will be given to students pursuing a MM in Piano Pedagogy or Piano Performance; however, students pursuing other degree plans are welcome to apply.
How to apply: Select the Collaborative Piano assistantship when prompted on the Graduate Application. A collaborative piano audition is required of all applicants.
Award Details: Includes a full tuition waiver of graduate tuition for 15 credit hours per year plus a stipend.
Duties: Serve as collaborative pianist for vocal ensembles and/or vocal classes. Position will require 10-20 hours of service per week. Schedule and exact number of hours per week are TBD.
Faculty supervisors: Amanda Hopson, Coordinator of Collaborative Piano and Kate Boyd, Professor of Piano and Piano Area Coordinator
Dr. Kate Boyd, Professor of Piano and Piano Area Coordinator
Prof. Karen Thickstun, Instructor of Piano Pedagogy
Dr. Amanda Hopson, Coordinator of Collaborative Piano
Prof. DJ Smith, Coordinator of Keyboard Skills
For application or general questions, contact the JCA Admission office at JCAadmissions@butler.edu or 317-940-9656
To discuss piano performance audition repertoire, contact Dr. Kate Boyd at kboyd@butler.edu.