Music

The Associate in Fine Arts - music degree program will prepare you to transfer to a four-year college or university and major in music.

What You Will Learn

The Associate in Fine Arts (A. F. A.) degree ensures you can transfer to a four-year institution having already fulfilled general education and major-specific course requirements. The program prepares you to audition for admission and to take proficiency examinations at a four-year institution.

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Why Choose Central Piedmont

The Central Piedmont music department offers a full range of courses in music; offering a solid foundation in music theory, history, and performance. We offer small classes, ensembles, and other performance opportunities. The faculty are dedicated teachers and accomplished musicians interested in your musical development.   

The Uniform Articulation Agreement ensures that your foundation-level course credits will transfer seamlessly to any UNC institution and many independent institutions — meaning you can enter a four-year, public college as a junior. We also have a 2+2 agreement that makes it easy for you to transfer into the UNC Charlotte Bachelor's of Arts in music.  Central Piedmont offers students the opportunity to attend college debt-free. 

With the Career & College Promise dual enrollment music pathway, you can start studying music while you're still in high school; graduate high school having already completed some of the requirements of a four-year music degree. 

Real World Education

At Central Piedmont, your education goes beyond what you learn in class. We offer numerous opportunities for you to enhance your learning — and to make friends, network, and pursue your passions — through clubs and organizations, sports, events and activities, leadership opportunities, job experience, volunteer experiences, visual and performing arts, and even international experiences.

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Music at Central Piedmont

Music Careers and Average Salaries

Visit Central Piedmont’s Career Coach for detailed music career requirements and opportunities, salary information, and job openings.

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Transfer Degree Course Sequences

Suggested course sequences for Central Piedmont transfer degrees

The Details

  • Program Options

    Earn an Associate in Fine Arts - music. The college catalog details the Associate in Fine Arts - music program options, courses, eligibility, and requirements currently available at Central Piedmont. The school you transfer to will determine how your courses will transfer.

    Suggested course sequence

    Visiting Students

    If you wish to transfer music course credit back to your home institution, explore how to enroll at Central Piedmont as a visiting student.

    Continuing Education

    Central Piedmont's continuing education provides non-degree courses and programs, including job skills, industry-focused career training, certificates, certifications, professional licensure, and personal enrichment. Day, evening, weekend, and online opportunities are available.

    College and Career Readiness

    If you are looking for programs to gain the knowledge or skills necessary to finish a high school degree or to get a job, visit Central Piedmont's College and Career Readiness.

    College Credit for High School Students

    Visit Career and College Promise to learn about opportunities for high school students to earn college credit at Central Piedmont.

    Auditions

    Students must audition to register for applied lessons. Applied lessons are a required part of the AFA Music degree. Auditions for the Fall 2025 semester will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025.  Please be prepared to perform one song , scales, and sightreading. Although it is preferred, audition pieces do not have to be memorized. To request an audition, please submit the Music Department Audition Request Form. Completion of this form does not guarantee an audition. We will contact you with an audition time once the form is completed. For more information on auditions, please email Mahari Freeman. Any student registered for applied lessons must also take the co-required repertoire class and perform in all midterm and final recitals. 

  • Requirements and Suggested Transfer Course Sequences

    For detailed information on Associate in Fine Arts - music program options, courses, eligibility, and requirements, visit the Central Piedmont Community College catalog. The music department uses placement exams to determine which major courses you will start with.

    Contact your advisor for help planning your courses.

    Suggested course sequences for Central Piedmont transfer degrees

    Applied Music Study

    Applied music classes are one-on-one lessons with a music instructor designed to further student capabilities in voice or a particular instrument.  When taking an applied music class, students should also register for the appropriate co-requisite repertoire class. 

    Students must audition to register for applied lessons. Applied lessons are a required part of the AFA Music degree. Auditions for the Spring 2025 semester will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024. Please be prepared to perform one song, scales, and sightreading. Although it is preferred, audition pieces do not have to be memorized. To request an audition, please submit the Music Department Audition Request Form. Completion of this form does not guarantee an audition. We will contact you with an audition time once the form is completed. For more information on auditions, please email Mahari Freeman. Any student registered for applied lessons must also take the co-required repertoire class and perform in all midterm and final recitals.   

    Performances and Recitals

    Listening to a wide variety of music is an essential part of music education, and it's fun! The department sponsors free concerts, recitals, and lectures all year long featuring current and former students, faculty, and local artists. Attending live concerts is a requirement for music majors and students enrolled in MUS110 and MUS112 courses.  

  • Available Courses, Locations, and Delivery Methods

    Courses available and their schedules can change each semester. Check the Associate in Fine Arts - music program options, courses, eligibility, and requirements each semester.

    Shriner Music Library

    Practice Rooms

    The music department has practice rooms for music students. You must have an access card to enter a practice room. Access cards are distributed by music faculty teaching theory or ensemble courses. If you are a music student and would like an access card, please request one through one of your music instructors. Your music instructor will have you fill out an agreement form prior to issuing you an access card. If you are a Central Piedmont student but you are not a music major or if you are not enrolled in a music class but would like access to the practice rooms, please contact the music department chair. Access may be given at the discretion of the music department chair. Non-music students still need to complete an access card agreement form and will only have access the the practice rooms on the first floor of Sloan-Morgan. All access cards must be returned by the last day of the semester to your music instructor or to the music library. There is a $5 fee for the loss of a card or for failure to return the card by the last day of the semester that it was issued. All access cards not returned by the last day of the semester will be deactivated.

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  • Costs and Aid

    Central Piedmont provides real-world, affordable, hands-on education and career training. Learn how much it costs to attend Central Piedmont. Financial aid and scholarships are available.

  • Related Programs, Other Associate/Transfer Degrees

  • Admitted Students: Find Your Advisor

    If you are currently enrolled and taking classes, log in to MyConnect to find your assigned academic advisor.

    If you do not have an advisor, you can:

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