Piano Performance

By selecting a piano performance degree at OBU, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to learn and perform pieces from the vast amount of high-quality literature written for the piano by master composers throughout the instrument’s history and across the various style periods. You will also learn from experienced pedagogues the skills required to integrate the study of teaching with the study of performing.

Abbey Ekrut

Class of 2023

“Being at OBU helped prepare me to pursue my goals by providing me with a wide variety of musical experience: from having many performance opportunities in my classes, concerts, and masterclasses, to teaching my own piano students and helping them prepare for their recitals. Above all, I had the most knowledgeable, dedicated, and Christ-centered professors who enabled me to grow as a musician, teacher, and Christian.”

Benefits of OBU Piano Performance Program

At OBU we will provide you the opportunity to not only learn, but to be engaged and active. You will have many opportunities for performance. In addition to weekly applied lessons, you may perform in weekly studio classes and piano seminars, as well as frequent music recitals. That’s not all. Other performance opportunities for OBU Division of Music students include chamber music, accompanying applied lessons or a choral ensemble, master classes with renowned guest artists and our yearly concerto competition. You will also learn to combine your skills and experiences as performers with knowledge of materials and techniques to teach piano to students of varied ages, backgrounds and abilities. At OBU, you will also be provided with multiple opportunities to teach in supervised settings.

Incredible Education, Affordable Cost.

OBU provides a minimum $10,000 per year scholarship to every incoming first-time freshman and $8,000 to every incoming transfer student. And you could qualify for even more financial aid! Many of our students also receive money through federal Pell grants and OBU Bison Grants.

To get an estimate of what your cost to attend OBU might be, please check out our Net Price Calculator. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how affordable an OBU education really is. Especially considering the incredible academic quality, personal mentor relationships with faculty and staff, and strong Christian commitment you will experience at OBU. You won’t find an experience like this anywhere else!

Program Information

Jobs and Job Opportunities

Piano performance graduates are now active solo and chamber musicians and accompanists; teachers in thriving independent studios, preparatory schools and universities; and are involved in church music and music missions in the United States and other countries. Many of our graduates have continued studying at graduate schools across the nation.

Faith Integration

You will be guided by faculty members who are professional, compassionate and committed to the call of Christ and to your success and growth. Our faculty at OBU integrate faith and learning in their discipline. This helps our purpose to equip the next generation of future shapers to live all of life for Jesus.

Music Ensemble Opportunities

Vocal Ensembles

Instrumental Ensembles

Small Ensembles

Individual and Personal

Class sizes are small and you can build relationships with your classmates and professors that will last long after you leave Bison Hill.

Program Options

Bachelor of Music (BM)

World-Class Faculty

OBU faculty are experts in their fields and will be with you every step of the way.

Dr. Patty K. Nelson

Dr. Patty K. Nelson

Chair, Division of Music
Associate Professor of Music Education

Division of Music

Become a Future Shaper