Chad R. Bowles, Co-Director
Hyun-Sook Park, Co-Director

The Peabody Piano Academy, for the Preparatory’s most advanced and motivated students, brings together late intermediate and advanced piano students in a mutually enriching, challenging and encouraging environment. Serious piano students, ages 12-18, whose playing exhibits above-average fluidity, musicality, and promise may be considered for the program and are chosen for acceptance by audition before the start of the fall semester. Exceptional younger students may be considered on a case-by-case basis. The audition process includes a theory test.

The goal of the Academy is to give the piano student a well-rounded education in order to help in gaining a thorough understanding of the literature and to enhance the enjoyment of music making. Students will become more thoughtful and capable musicians who are both skilled and knowledgeable about their instrument, as well as able collaborators. Piano Academy students will be expected to practice 2-3 hours a day and participate in all special events. Since Piano Academy classes take place on Saturdays, it is encouraged that Piano Academy students have their individual instruction scheduled on a weekday.

Piano Academy classes take place on Saturdays at the Peabody downtown campus and, in addition to weekly 60 or 90 minute individual instruction with a member of the Peabody faculty, includes Ear-Training, Musicianship for Pianists (sight-reading, transposition, keyboard harmony, and improvisation, instrumental, and vocal collaboration) and a Performance Class. The centerpiece of the Peabody Piano Academy, the Performance Class is designed as a group-learning experience, where students perform for each other, receiving feedback from the instructor as well as their peers and guest teachers. It offers frequent performance opportunities through repertoire classes, mock auditions, and master classes with guest artists. Students are asked to submit short essays on the pieces they are performing, showing knowledge of time period and style. The Performance Class also includes listening to and learning about standard repertoire, lectures, and the Piano Academy recital at the end of each semester. Piano Academy students also have additional opportunities to perform in their private teacher’s studio recitals.

Piano Academy Sample Saturday Schedule

12:15-1:45 pm	Academy Performance Class (Bowles)
2:00-3:00 pm	Musicianship for Pianists (Park) (Instrumental and vocal collaboration, sight-reading, keyboard skills, and improvisation)

The tuition per semester for the Peabody Piano Academy includes Academy Performance Class and Musicianship for Pianists. Students are also required to register for 60 or 90 minutes of weekly individual instruction per semester (not included in Performance Academy tuition).

For a listing of all our piano classes and individual instruction opportunities, see our
Lessons and Classes page.
Once you’re ready to register for classes and/or individual instruction, please visit our registration page.

Individual Instruction

Individual piano instruction is offered at our Downtown, Frederick, Annapolis, Howard County, and Towson Peabody Preparatory locations.

Peabody Piano Academy

60-min. lesson
90-min. lesson

Auditions

Saturday, May 25, 2024
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Downtown Baltimore Campus – Goodwin Recital Hall

New Students: Register for individual instruction and call the Preparatory Office at 667-208-6640 to schedule a Piano Academy audition and placement interview.

Audition Requirements

Scales
Three major and three minor (harmonic) scales in student’s choice of keys.

Sightreading

Performance of three pieces in differing styles:

• Students ages 12-15: Total of 10 minutes of music.
  Single movements from larger pieces are acceptable.
• Students ages 16-18: Total of 15 minutes of music.
  Single movements from larger pieces are acceptable.

Recommended Repertoire

• Students ages 12-15: Bach Sinfonia, Haydn Sonata, Schumann Kinderszenen, etc., and pieces of similar difficulty
• Students ages 16-18: Bach Prelude and Fugue, Bartók Suite, Op. 14, Chopin Nocturne, etc., and pieces of similar difficulty.

Note: Playing at the stated repertoire level does not ensure acceptance into the Peabody Piano Academy.

Theory Test
Basic theory skills including knowledge of key signatures and primary triads may be examined.

For more information on the Peabody Piano Academy, please contact the Preparatory Office at 667-208-6640. For questions regarding audition requirements and repertoire, please contact Chad R. Bowles, Piano Department Chair, at [email protected].