Message from Dr. Sara Ernst

Welcome to Piano Pedagogy at OU!

Thank you for your interest in our piano pedagogy program at the University of Oklahoma. The OU School of Music is a dynamic and engaging community of musicians, scholars, and educators in Norman, OK. Norman is easily accessible from I-35 and the airport in Oklahoma City; campus is approximately 25 minutes south of Oklahoma City.

At the center of this community in piano pedagogy is an extraordinary student group - we value each of our students and their diverse backgrounds, interests, and experiences. They are mentored and supported by our exceptional piano faculty and taught within beautiful and well-appointed music facilities.

The piano area and piano pedagogy program provide a complete education and prepare students for a thriving career in the profession. We work with our students to help them expand as musicians, performers, scholars, and educators, and we create a supportive environment in pursuit of personal growth and excellence. Through the host of degrees available, we offer coursework in piano teaching, performance, chamber music, collaborative playing, and piano literature, and this is augmented by other course work in the School of Music including in music education, musicology, music theory, technology, and research.

If you are a prospective student, visit the School of Music webpage and the application and audition requirements. Please review the application and audition pages carefully, so that you can successfully tailor your materials to the University of Oklahoma. Our process includes a prescreening review, with a deadline of December 1 for all application and support materials. Those selected will be invited for an on-campus interview and audition. Financial aid is available, on a competitive basis, with graduate assistantships in applied and group piano, accompanying and opera, and in other areas including music theory, music education, and more.

For questions about admission materials or application status, please contact Cathrine Chesbro at gradmusic@ou.edu or (405) 325-2081 in the Graduate Music Office in the School of Music. For questions from international students about visas, TOEFL, graduate assistantships, and residency, please contact Cathrine Chesbro as well.

Consider traveling to the OU School of Music to discover for yourself that the piano pedagogy program is one of the finest in the nation, with an established legacy of excellence. Do not hesitate to reach out to me via email to personally introduce yourself.

Sincerely,
Sara Ernst
smernst@ou.edu
Director of Piano Pedagogy
Associate Professor of Music