OVERVIEW
Piano Studies
The School of Music at Western Illinois University provides undergraduate and
graduate piano students performance opportunities in solo recitals, concerti,
chamber music, and classical and jazz ensembles. The piano area prides itself on
the cohesiveness of the curriculum in both the classical and jazz idioms. With
approximately 250 music majors and 43 full-time faculty in the School of Music, a
ratio of 6:1, there is an ideal atmosphere of accessibility and consistency for our
students. The School of Music is an accredited member of the National
Association of Schools of Music.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
Bachelor of Music
Piano Performance
Jazz Studies
Composition
Music Education
Music Business
Music Therapy
Scholarship and Tuition Information
The School of Music awards in excess of $300,000 each year to students through
scholarships, talent grants, and tuition waivers. Awards are based on students’
academic records and audition results. Western Commitment Scholarships
reward students with excellent academic ability who demonstrate achievement
in high school by offering 4-year scholarships up to $40,000 ($10,000 annually)
towards the cost of attendance at Western Illinois University. Awards are based
on high school GPA and ACT/SAT score. WIU’s cost guarantee ensures that
college will be a good investment with its guaranteed four-year rate for tuition,
fees, and room and board. The GradTrac program guarantees students who
meet the requirements that they will graduate in four years or their remaining
tuition will be free.
GRADUATE STUDIES
Master of Music
Piano Performance
Piano Pedagogy
Jazz Studies
Composition
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Music Education
Conducting
Musicology
Performer’s Certificate
Piano
Jazz Piano
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships are available for pianists with duties in accompanying,
class piano, jazz, musical theatre, and organ. Compensation includes a full tuition
waiver for all graduate credits (not including fees), a tuition waiver for summer
courses, and a stipend of $5032–$5792 per academic year. The total financial
benefit is $10,744–$11,504 per year for in-state students, and $16,419–$17,179
per year for out-of-state and international students.
PIANO FACULTY
AUDITION DATES
Tammie Walker, Professor of Piano, is a graduate of the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she
earned the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts
degrees as a student of Ian Hobson. Her early training was
with Penelope Cecchini and Frances Karp in Wisconsin. An
active solo recitalist, concerto soloist, chamber musician,
adjudicator, and clinician, she has performed and taught
throughout the continental US, Hawaii, western Europe, Seoul, South Korea, and
Yangon, Myanmar. Her articles have been published in International Piano, The
Piano (Korea), and American Music Teacher. A devoted teacher, Dr. Walker’s
students have been successful in several national competitions and have been
admitted to many of the top graduate programs in the country. December 5, 2015
January 16, 2016 (Chicago Area)
February 6, 2016
February 15, 2016
Special audition privileges will be granted to students residing outside the
United States or to those from states outside a reasonable travel distance.
Auditions can be scheduled by contacting auditions coordinator Trista Trone by
phone at 309.298.1087 or by email at TD-Trone@wiu.edu.
Email: TL-Walker4@wiu.edu
Jeffrey Brown, Associate Professor of Piano, is a graduate
of the Eastman School of Music, where he earned the
Performer’s Certificate, the Master of Music, and the Doctor
of Musical Arts degrees. He studied with Natalya Antonova
and served as her teaching assistant, and he pursued
chamber music studies with Jean Barr. His early training
was with Jane Allen at the University of Missouri.
Performance highlights include the Dame Myra Hess Series in Chicago, the
Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., two recital tours of China, and festivals in
France, Germany, Italy, and Austria. He has presented masterclasses and lectures
at universities and conservatories throughout the United States.
Email: J-Brown2@wiu.edu
Michael Stryker, Associate Professor of Jazz Piano, is a
graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where he earned
a doctoral degree in Jazz and Contemporary Media in
2009. He coaches jazz combos, directs big bands, teaches
Applied Jazz Piano, Class Jazz Piano, Jazz Fundamentals,
Jazz History and is a member of the Dale Hopper Faculty
Jazz Sextet. He is also on the faculty of the Birch Creek
Summer Music Performance Center located in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin. Previous
teaching positions include Eastern Illinois University, DePaul University, and the
University of California at Berkeley.
Email: MS-Stryker@wiu.edu
CONTACT
Website: www.wiu.edu/music
Email: music@wiu.edu
Telephone: 309.298.1544
Application/Audition Information: Undergraduate
Graduate
Western Illinois University | School of Music | 1 University Circle | Macomb, IL 61455