Program Recognition
•Housed in the Sarofim School of Fine Arts, a NASM-accredited music unit since 1951
•Liberal-arts conservatory setting at Southwestern, Texas's oldest university
Training
•Voice as the principal applied area: 7 semesters / 14 credits of applied study, plus required piano until the Keyboard Proficiency Exam is passed
•Dedicated choral conducting sequence — Choral Conducting and Advanced Choral Conducting
•Choral-specific pedagogy: Choral Music Education, Methods of Music in the Elementary School, and Diction in Vocal Music
•Optional Texas All-Level Music Certification (EC-12): 37 added education credits, student teaching, and the TExES exam
•Faculty have taught in public schools and clinic/conduct high school choir, band, and orchestra festivals
Performance & Productions
•Sing in University Singers and the Southwestern University Chorale
•Capstone junior or senior recital that must include a small-ensemble performance segment
Notable Alumni
•Jed Ragsdale ('98) — choral director at Cypress/Fairbanks HS; choirs selected for the TMEA state convention
•Weston Hurt ('99) — opera baritone with Dallas Opera, Seattle Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, and Carnegie Hall
•Dr. Melinda Brou ('00) — Assistant Professor of Voice & Opera Workshop, Texas A&M Kingsville
Facilities
•Performances staged in the 720-seat Alma Thomas Theater (orchestra pit, acoustic shell, renovated 2008) and 320-seat Jones Theater
•More than a dozen grand pianos and individual practice rooms in the Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center
