Professional Performance Certificate

This program, administered by the School of Music through Outreach (Penn State Business Solutions - non-credit course CPE 9007), offers excellent performing musicians in their early career stages the opportunity for private study with master teachers at Penn State, with participation in the outstanding ensembles of Penn State's School of Music. Participants will usually hold an undergraduate degree or demonstrated equivalent musical training. The Certificate program provides career preparation, artistic guidance, and work experience for aspiring professional musicians.

The Professional Performance Certificate consists of weekly private lessons for a single academic year of two semesters (fall and spring), during which the student will participate as directed in the ensembles of the School of Music, or (in the case of pianists) in accompanying as directed. The full-time work/study load for students in this program is a minimum of 40 hours/week. This would normally include approximately ten contact hours of instruction with faculty (lessons, studio classes, and directed ensembles, opera, chamber music or other collaborative experiences) plus at least thirty hours of individual practice and preparation. Assignments and distribution of workloads are supervised by the Professional Performance Certificate committee, which reports to the Director of the School of Music. Study in this program is not awarded academic credit. In lieu of credit toward a degree, the student's work and study will be graded pass/fail and a Certificate will be awarded upon the successful conclusion of the program.

The total tuition fee for the one-year PPC program for 2012-2013 is $2,000 for U.S. citizens and $2,500 for international students. In special cases, a scholarship may be awarded; however graduate teaching assistantships are not available to students pursuing the PPC. Housing and other living expenses are the responsibility of the student.

As part of this program, students will travel with School of Music ensembles - sometimes as a required part of ensemble participation and other times as an optional enrichment activity. College travel policies require that all students submit emergency contact information including health insurance information. It is strongly recommended that U.S. citizens have a current health insurance plan. Foreign students are required to enroll in a Penn State student health insurance plan.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit the on-line application for the Professional Performers Certificate. After you have submitted the form, we will contact you to arrange an audition or to discuss supporting materials. A live audition is strongly recommended, (the voice area does not accept recorded auditions) but for foreign students and other applicants who are unable to visit campus, a DVD (single camera) is acceptable. Other supporting materials will include evidence of prior musical education (bachelors degree or equivalent -- photocopies of diplomas are acceptable) and the names of two referees. It is suggested that one reference be your current applied teacher.  Students whose first language is not English must also complete a telephone interview. Please refer to repertoire requirements (which are the same as those for the masters degree) for the PPC audition. Foreign students must also complete the visa application form.

Due to stricter controls on visas issued to foreign visitors/students to the United States, a deadline of June 1st is required for international applications.  All complete applications received by that date will be given full consideration for admission.

For more information regarding application procedures, please contact:

Lisa Stamm
Administrative Support Assistant
(814) 865-1052
musicppc@psu.edu