Keyboard Performance

Master's and Doctoral Programs

Graduate opportunities

In the Division of Keyboard Studies at the University of North Texas, our students and graduates are enriching the musical experience for audiences around the world.

We offer course work leading to a Master of Music degree, Doctor of Musical Arts degree or Graduate Artist Certificate in Performance with specializations in organ, piano, collaborative piano and harpsichord.

Through private lessons, you'll receive individual attention from faculty members who are nationally and internationally recognized performers, researchers and composers. They've earned Grammy Awards, worked with renowned artists such as Marvin Gaye and Dick Hyman, performed with orchestras including the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and recorded numerous CDs.

Our facilities include 300 practice rooms, seven performance venues (including Winspear Hall in the Murchison Performing Arts Center and the newly renovated Voertman Hall), numerous classrooms and rehearsal rooms, computer labs and an intermedia theater. Our instruments range from Steinway pianos, the Ardoin- Voertman Concert Organ (a 2008 Wolff III/60) and a 1985 Bedient IV/41 French Classical Organ for recitals to upright and grand pianos and four organs for practice.

The College of Music is one of the nation's most comprehensive music schools and is recognized internationally for its artistic and academic excellence. It's vital to the region's arts community, presenting more than 1,000 concerts annually.

The college is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21; Reston, Va. 20190-5248; telephone 703-437-0700). This means the college meets or exceeds strict academic standards for excellence in education.

Performance opportunities

The College of Music offers a variety and quality of performance opportunities unmatched by smaller schools. They include the Baroque Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Center for Chamber Music Studies, Zebras Contemporary Keyboard Ensemble and numerous jazz ensembles.

Our students frequently find success in national and international competitions. UNT students have won the Los Angeles International Liszt Competition, Antonín Dvorák International Piano Competition and Walter Naumburg International Competition, among others.

Attending UNT

Admission requirements

You'll need to meet the admission requirements for the Toulouse Graduate School® and the College of Music and complete an audition before a faculty jury. Auditions are held on campus early in the spring semester for enrollment the following fall. Graduate school requirements are outlined at the Graduate School website.

After being admitted to the College of Music, you'll take music history and music theory placement exams given during orientation one week before classes start. More information about the college's requirements, audition dates, repertoire and graduate placement exams is available at our website. If you're an international student, you must pass the TOEFL with a minimum score of 79.

Degree requirements

Master of Music degree

Collaborative piano specialization

• 4 semester hours of private piano lessons
• 2 semester hours of secondary instrument lessons
• 2 semester hours of chamber music or early music ensemble courses
• 3 semester hours of a research techniques course
• 9 semester hours of collaborative piano-related courses
• 9 semester hours in a related field (For related fields, consult the graduate catalog.)
• 6 semester hours of electives
• 2 semester hours of master's recital courses

Harpsichord specialization

• 9 semester hours of private harpsichord lessons
• 2 semester hours of secondary applied music courses
• 1 semester hour of an early music ensemble course
• 2 semester hours of keyboard continuo playing
• 3 semester hours of music history or theory courses (may be waived)
• 3 semester hours of a research techniques course
• 9 semester hours in a related field (For related fields, consult the graduate catalog.)
• 2 semester hours of master's recital courses

Organ specialization

• 9 semester hours of private organ lessons
• 2 semester hours of secondary applied music courses
• 2 semester hours of chamber music or early music ensemble courses
• 3 semester hours of a music history course
• 3 semester hours of a research techniques course
• 9 semester hours in a related field (For related fields, consult the graduate catalog.)
• 3 to 6 semester hours of electives
• 1 semester hour of a master's recital course

Piano specialization

• 8 semester hours of private piano lessons
• 2 semester hours of secondary applied music courses
• 2 semester hours of chamber music or early music ensemble courses
• 3 semester hours of a research techniques course
• 9 semester hours in a related field (For related fields, consult the graduate catalog.)
• 6 semester hours of electives
• 2 semester hours of master's recital courses

Doctor of Arts degree

• 16 semester hours of private piano, organ or harpsichord lessons
• 6 semester hours of literature in keyboard performance
• 12 semester hours in a related field
• 6 semester hours of music history courses
• 6 semester hours of music theory courses
• 2 semester hours of electives
• 12 semester hours of dissertation (Three options are available for fulfilling this requirement. See our catalog for the options.)

Also for this degree program, attendance at all area departmental recitals is required.

Graduate Artist Certificate

• 16 semester hours of private piano, collaborative piano, organ or harpsichord lessons
• 12 semester hours of recitals
• 2 to 4 semester hours of chamber music

Financial assistance

Once admitted to the College of Music, you're eligible for competitive, merit-based scholarships and teaching assistantships and fellowships. Assistantships and fellowships are awarded each spring for the following academic year.

More information about these opportunities is available at our website. Other financial assistance programs are outlined at the Financial Aid site.