Carnegie Mellon University: multiple student openings for Fall 2025

[Craig Knox]

The tuba studio at Carnegie Mellon University will have at least three openings for the Fall of 2025, for both undergraduate students (Bachelor of Arts in performance) and graduate students (Master of Music or Advanced Musical Studies Certificate in performance). For graduate students, graduate assistantships are available which can cover up to full tuition; undergraduates are eligible for university financial aid.

The CMU School of Music is an all-performance program, and essentially provides a conservatory curriculum within one of the leading academic environments in the country. CMU has a close association with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, with many of its principal players on the faculty. The city campus is situated in the Oakland district of Pittsburgh, next to the 450 acre Schenley Park, and within walking distance to the Carnegie museums and the University of Pittsburgh.

The tuba studio at CMU is small, typically 4 or 5 students, allowing for all students to be actively involved in the playing opportunities at the school. Tuba students participate in the orchestra, wind ensemble, Brass Repertoire Class (led by George Vosburgh), Brass Ensemble (led by Peter Sullivan), Brass Chamber Music (coached by brass faculty), and the tuba-euphonium ensemble (led by Hiram Diaz). Tuba students receive weekly lessons and 2-hour studio class with Craig Knox, as well as additional lessons throughout each semester with Jeff Dee, bass trombone of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra! In addition, guest teachers teach lessons and studio class each semester, giving tuba students valuable additional instruction and exposure. This semester's guest teachers are Velvet Brown and Patricio Cosentino; other recent guest teachers include Yasuhito Sugiyama, Dennis Nulty, Aubrey Foard, James Gourlay, John DiCesare, Thomas Leleu, David Fedderly, Carson McTeer, and Christopher Olka. CMU students have easy access to performances by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall each weekend, as well as the wealth of other cultural activities that Pittsburgh has to offer.

Recent alumni of the CMU tuba studio have been First Prize Winner (Artist Division) of the Falcone Competition, been accepted for graduate study at Yale University, Rice University, and the Curtis Institute, been awarded doctoral fellowships at Indiana University, University of Georgia, and Florida State University, been selected for summer programs such as National Repertory Orchestra, the Aspen School, and National Orchestral Institute, advanced in professional auditions for the Buffalo Philharmonic, Phoenix Symphony, Richmond Symphony, and Naples Philharmonic, U.S. Army Band, U.S. Navy Band, and U.S. Air Force Band, and assumed professional positions in ensembles such as the U.S. Naval Academy Band, Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Canton Symphony Orchestra, River City Brass Band, and as teachers at every level.

Information about the school and the application and audition process can be found at https://www.cmu.edu/cfa/music/apply/index.html, which lists specific audition repertoire requirements. Please note that pre-screening videos will be due in December, with live auditions scheduled in Pittsburgh on February 1, 2025.

Hope to hear some of you at these auditions!


Craig Knox
Principal Tuba, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Founding Member, Center City Brass Quintet
Artist Lecturer, Carnegie Mellon University
Faculty, Curtis Institute of Music

Visit my website: www.craigknoxtuba.com