
Music
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Music Overview
Chatham University’s music program is both thorough and flexible. We provide performance and composition students with a firm grounding in their own area of specialty, as well as music history and theory, while allowing them to customize their course of study to fit their own interests.
— MICHAEL BOYD, associate professor of music

Three Questions for Music Students
Nestled in the lesser known Laughlin building at Chatham University—James Laughlin Music Hall—is a music program that hits all of the right notes. Thanks to ample performance opportunities, private instruction from Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra members, and music-specific scholarships, our musical students flourish.
Explore the Music Degree:
Chatham’s music department combines the benefits of a smaller institution, such as the ability to work one-on-one with faculty in lessons and courses, with the advantages of living in a city that offers resources and opportunities at larger neighboring institutions. The program enables students to connect with music in traditional and nontraditional ways. In addition to providing a solid foundation in music performance, composition, theory, history, and musicianship, Chatham offers courses in popular music, jazz, ethnomusicology, music technology, and interdisciplinary subjects.

Chatham Choir
The Chatham Choir, which sponsors the all-campus winter celebration and the annual Cabaret Benefit, can be heard at the opening and closing convocations, the spring concert, and the choir tour. The choir has performed in New York City, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and West Virginia, while select members have performed with Marvin Hamlisch and the Pittsburgh Symphony Pop’s All-Star College Chorus.

Music Scholarships
In addition to Chatham’s university-wide merit- and need-based financial aid, the music program offers the Minna Kaufmann Ruud Scholarships in Voice, as well as scholarships for instrumental music. These scholarships recognize and support students with outstanding talent. The Ruud Scholarship is awarded to qualified vocalists interested in studying music as a major or as part of an inter-departmental major, while the instrumental scholarships are available to any undergraduate student. Scholarship awards are based on audition results.

Music in Collaboration
Chatham has a collaborative program in music education with Carnegie Mellon University that allows our students to earn state teacher certification along with a music degree from Chatham.

Local Internship Opportunities
Students have had internships at institutions including Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Pittsburgh Concert Society, and more.