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

Studying Piano

At the undergraduate level, pianists may choose to concentrate their studies in the areas of performance or piano pedagogy. Chamber music is an important part of the graduate piano program. A nationally and internationally renowned faculty of performers and pedagogues brings a wealth of experience to the School of Music's pianists. In addition, the School of Music presents an extensive master class series in which students are encouraged to participate. Recent visiting artists have included Leon Fleisher, Gilbert Kalish, Anton Kuerti, André Laplante, Jon Kimura Parker, Stephen Hough, Marc Durand, Louis Lortie, Angela Hewitt, Nelson Delle Vigne, Philippe Entremont and Malcolm Bilson.

Piano keys

Audition requirements

Undergraduate candidates should prepare:

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

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 David Jalbert, piano sector coordinator.

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.
Discover our piano professors