Piano

The piano sector at the University of Ottawa provides instruction to develop the full pianistic and musical potential of its students.

Studying Piano

Piano keys

At the undergraduate level, pianists will have the option to focus their studies on various relevant areas, from performance and composition to theory/musicology and pedagogy. Chamber music is also an important part of our programs. An internationally renowned faculty of performers, researchers and pedagogues offers our students a wealth of experience to benefit and learn from. In addition, the School of Music runs an extensive masterclass and conference series in which students have the opportunity to participate. Recent visiting artists have included Marc-André Hamelin, Janina Fialkowska, Angela Hewitt, André Laplante, Malcolm Bilson, Stewart Goodyear, Jerome Lowenthal and Charles Richard-Hamelin.

Audition requirements

Undergraduate candidates should prepare:

  • a piece from the Baroque period;
  • two movements from a Classical sonata (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven or Schubert);
  • a Romantic, 20th century, or contemporary piece.

The expected level of repertoire for BMus admission is Grade 10 in the RCM system (or equivalent). Occasional exceptions can be made.

Students applying to the Bachelor of Music (BMus) or the Combined Bachelor of Music and Science (BMus/BSc) must demonstrate an advanced level of technical proficiency and performance ability

Candidates for the MMus in Piano Performance and the Graduate Diploma in Performance must prepare around forty-five minutes of solo music, from memory, including at least three works from different style periods.

Candidates for the MMus in Collaborative Piano and the Graduate Diploma in Performance (Collaborative Piano) must submit a video audition containing each of the following:

  • One solo piano piece, 7 to 10 minutes in duration. Memorization is encouraged but not mandatory.
  • The first two movements from any sonata for violin, cello or viola by either Beethoven or Brahms, with a collaborator of your choice.
  • 3 songs chosen from the standard lied/art song repertoire, performed with a singer. The songs must be chosen among the works of the following composers: Schubert, Schumann, Strauss, Wolf, Duparc, Debussy, Fauré, or Brahms."

For more information, please contact Piano Sector Head David Jalbert.

Perez Hall

Get to know our faculty

Our esteemed faculty, comprised of accomplished musicians and scholars, bring a wealth of experience and a passion for teaching to every classroom and studio.