Bachelor of Music in Music Performance

The Music Performance degree provides professional-level performance training for students who aspire to be professional musicians. Performance experience lies at the heart of the program. Students perform constantly—in concerts, recitals, and collaboratively with fellow students, while sophomore and senior solo recitals are required. In addition, a wealth of extracurricular performance experiences include master class and recital performances, faculty/student outings to the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and other concerts.

Unique to the performance degree is the study of pedagogy—the art of teaching—wherein students complete a studio teaching sequence. Under the supervision of a faculty member, they practice giving other students music instruction. In addition to learning more about their art, this opportunity prepares performance students for graduate school assistantship opportunities or music teaching.

A degree in Music from Nazareth College not only prepares students to be accomplished musicians, it immerses them in the study of music from more than one perspective. Our goal is to develop musical ambassadors—performers, teachers, and clinicians—who extend the art through musical performance, masterful teaching, and creative leadership.

Program Highlights

• Emphasis on applied music study so students can assume leadership roles as independent professional musicians and for entrance into graduate degree programs.
• Weekly hour-long private lessons, studio class.
• Guest concert performances, master classes, and faculty recitals expose students to a wide variety of music and an opportunity to meet performing professionals.
• Numerous opportunities to perform.
• Graduates have been awarded scholarships and teaching assistantships for graduate study and are employed as teachers and performers in public school, collegiate, community, and church settings.
• An annual concert/area competition.
  

Program Director

Beverly Smoker, D.M.A.
bsmoker5@naz.edu  
585-389-2696

Dr. Smoker's numerous appearances as soloist and collaborative musician include performances on the Knitting Factory Composer Series, NYC, and recordings for ABC Radio in Brisbane, Australia, and Centaur Records. For ten years, she was a recipient of solo touring grants from the Iowa Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts. She presents a wide range of repertoire including recitals and workshops devoted to twentieth-century music, and has premiered several works written for her.