Music
Music
When You Think Music, Think Southern Miss
Master your musical artistry and prepare to be a prominent educator and artist through the study of music. At Southern Miss, this is accomplished through a well-rounded education focused on applied lessons and performance-driven opportunities from one-on-one training with professors and participation in major ensembles including band, choir, jazz band, or orchestra, to music history and theory classes.
This program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
What Will I Learn?
At Southern Miss, you will achieve musical excellence through academic engagement, on and off the stage. From an introduction to being a music major where students learn the skills needed to be a successful music major, performer and teacher to hour-long, one-on-one lesson with a professional performer/faculty member, and a wide range of courses with various levels of concentration.
Offering 5 BM Performance, including Percussion, Piano, Strings, Voice, and Wind;
BM Jazz Studies, and BM History and Literature; and a BA in Music.
All students applying to pursue a degree in the School of Music must audition for admission.
Academic Scholarship: Presidential, National Merit, Academic Excellence, Golden Opportunity, Regional, Leadership and Lucky Day scholarships are available through the Admissions Office.
School of Music Scholarships: Prospective students who audition (as music majors or as non-majors) for the SOM are considered for these competitive music scholarships.
Foundation Scholarship Finder: Donors to the USM Foundation have set up scholarships to assist individual students that meet criteria specified by the donor.
Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): If you are interested in state and federal financial aid the USM School code for FAFSA is 002441.
Dr. Edward Hafer, Musicologist and Director of the Study Abroad Program to Vienna, Austria. Each summer Dr. Hafer travels to Vienna with an entourage of both graduate and undergraduate students from the School of Music and the Honors College for a two and a half week journey to visit and study Vienna's major historic sites - all relative to Music History.
Faculty Spotlight
Dr. Nicholas Ciraldo
Dr. Nicholas Ciraldo, an accomplished virtuoso and winner of esteemed competitions
such as Tredrez-Locquemau, Gaetano Zinetti, GFA, Portland, and MTNA, has become a
beacon of excellence in the world of classical guitar. Commanding stages across four
continents, from the illustrious Jordan Hall in the United States to the historic
Berliner Dom in Germany and Brazil's Teatro José Maria Santos, Dr. Ciraldo's performances
are nothing short of mesmerizing. With three solo guitar albums to his name, he invites
listeners on a captivating journey through his distinctive and athletic musical style.
Praised by critics, Soundboard magazine describes his performances as "marvelous,"
while Allmusic.com commends his confident and precise approach. Dr. Ciraldo's music
transcends borders, delivering an experience that is both powerful and emotionally
resonant, solidifying his status as a true maestro of the guitar.
Availability
| Degree Plan | Availability |
|---|---|
| Music BA | Hattiesburg |
| Music (Jazz Studies) BM | Hattiesburg |
| Music (Performance-Percussion) BM | Hattiesburg |
| Music (Performance-Piano) BM | Hattiesburg |
| Music (Performance-Strings) BM | Hattiesburg |
| Music (Performance-Voice) BM | Hattiesburg |
| Music (Performance-Wind Instrument) BM | Hattiesburg |
| Applied Music Minor | |
| History and Music History Minor | |
| Performance Undergraduate Certificate | Hattiesburg |
- Musicologist
- Private Studio Teacher
- Performer
- Music Theorist
- Arts Administration
- Band Director
-
Luis Alfaro, BM 2017,
Graduate Assistantship, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
- Jorge Gonzalez, BM 2001 and MM 2003,
Assistant Professor of Music, Coordinator of String Activities and Theory at William Carey University
- Dan Kyzer, BM 2009,
Adjunct Instructor, Guitar, The University of Texas at Tyler