DMA Student Wins APIC Competition

Jinghua Pu, DMA student in Piano Performance, became the First Place Winner of the American Protégé International Concerto Competition 2013 in New York City. She will perform in the the winners’ recital at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on November 30, 2013.

CUA's Newest Concert Series

School of Music Welcomes New 9' Steinway to Ward Hall

On September 24, 2012, the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music unveiled a brand new nine-foot concert grand piano in Ward Recital Hall. The Steinway D model was chosen from among many in Steinway's New York showroom by Dean Wagstaff, Dr. Kaltchev, Dr. Fitenko, and piano technician Tom Wright. The instrument is noted for its even touch and beautiful resonance. It has a high-gloss finish, and is the first in Washington, D.C. with this finish made by Steinway.

President Garvey was on hand for the unveiling ceremony, as well as several other members of the CUA community. Fr. Jude blessed the instrument, and piano faculty and students gave a short concert of various works that showcased the talent CUA has on campus to a packed audience of members of the CUA community.

The piano division announced the innaguration of a piano concert series, to be played by guest artists, faculty, alumni from the School of Music, as well as piano majors. The series will include a piano gala which is scheduled for November.

Dr. Kaltchev says, "We can now say that we have an instrument that is not only one of the best pianos in Washington, but also an instrument that matches the exceptional talent of our students, and the quality of training that the faculty offers at the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music."

See the gallery of photos from the unveiling.

School of Music to Offer Two New Programs

Starting in Fall 2012, the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music will begin offering Bachelor of Music degrees in Collaborative Piano and Piano Pedagogy. This is an exciting development for our growing undergraduate program!

The Bachelor of Music in Collaborative Piano is a comprehensive program that prepares talented pianists for careers in collaborative performance (chamber music and accompanying), studio teaching, and/or advanced degree work (MM and DMA). The main focus of the program is on building and developing in every one of its majors the abilities, skills, knowledge and artistry necessary for a successful collaborative piano performing career. Upon completion of this program the students will become competent collaborative piano musicians who will feel equally confident performing in an instrumental chamber group or accompanying a singer. The program seeks to develop professional performing musicians who are also educated musicians. Thus a careful complement of performance related studies are combined with historical and theoretical studies.

The Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy program is intended to contribute to the field of music by producing highly skilled piano teachers and performers qualified for further advanced study in piano pedagogy.  It is intended for talented pianists who wish to pursue a career as a piano teacher in private studios, conservatories, community schools, and colleges.  The emphasis is on preparing students to teach piano to a wide range of students of all ages and levels.  One of the unique features of the program is that no memorization is required for any degree recitals or juries. We aspire for students in this program to become proficient performers and teachers with a solid musical education featuring both wide breadth and depth of knowledge.

A complete course listing will be available Fall 2012.

DMA Student Places in Seattle International Piano Competition