The Piano Studies Program at Northern Arizona University offers a professional, supportive atmosphere for the piano student’s musical development. A highly committed piano faculty provides individual attention in a nurturing environment of academic rigor and creative challenge.
Degrees
Bachelor of Music with Emphases in:
- Piano Performance
- Accompanying/Chamber music
- Piano-Choral
- Piano-Instrumental
Performing Opportunities
The NAU campus offers many performance opportunities, including weekly master classes, piano ensemble/accompanying class, chamber music coaching and solo, studio and chamber music recitals. Opportunities to accompany singer and instrumentalists in lessons and recitals abound. The NAU Orchestra Solo Competition is held annually and winners perform with the orchestra in concert.
The vibrant performing arts scene at NAU helps to enrich the student’s musical growth. The NAU Faculty Chamber Music Series, Guest Artist Series and Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra present a myriad of prominent artists on campus, many of whom are then presented in master classes. Recent participating artists include pianists Andre Watts, Martin Katz, Jeffrey Swann, Enrique Graf, Paavali Jumppanen, Stanislav Ioudenitch, Olga Kern, Christopher Taylor, Francisco Alvarez, Marian Hahn and Carolyn Bridger as well as mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne, violinist Ani Kavafian, the Chicago String Quartet and clarinetist Eddie Daniels.
Teaching Opportunities
Students may gain valuable experience and financial remuneration through teaching in the NAU Preparatory School. The school offers lessons to young children, non-music NAU students and the Flagstaff community.
Auditions and Scholarships
Auditions requirements for admission and scholarships are:
- 3-4 memorized selections, including a work by Bach (or of Baroque period),
- Movement(s) of a classical sonata (Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart),
- Romantic and/or twentieth century work.
- 4 octave scales and arpeggios played in a steady tempo with correct fingerings
- Sight-reading
Scholarships are available for a limited number of qualified pianists by audition.
School of Music
The School of Music consists of more than 300 undergraduate and 30 graduate music majors. The School offers involvement in many other excellent programs and performing ensembles, including orchestras, bands, choirs, opera and jazz. The school if fully accredited by the National Association of Music Schools.
NAU and Flagstaff
Northern Arizona University is located in Flagstaff, a small city of about 57,000 people. NAU is a doctoral institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in more than 100 major areas. At 7,000 feet, Flagstaff sits at the base of the San Francisco Peaks and offers a wide range of recreational and cultural opportunities. The moderate four-season climate offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking, skiing, and snowboarding.
Faculty
Frank Scott , Director of Piano Studies
Rita Borden, Piano, Coordinator
of Accompanying
Elizabeth George, Class
Piano
Chen-Ju (Janice) Chiang-Staff Piano Accompanist