STUDIES IN CONDUCTING AND MUSIC EDUCATION Southwestern University offers excellent programs in conducting and music education, led by Dr. Laurie Scott in strings, Dr. Lois Ferrari in winds and percussion, and Dr. Kenneth Sheppard in choral music. As a required part of the curriculum, our conducting students prepare and conduct performances each year, a rare experience for undergraduates. For example, all students taking beginning instrumental conducting will conduct the SU Wind Ensemble as part of their final exam requirements. Advanced instrumental and choral conducting students coordinate and present their own public concert with the Wind Ensemble and/or Chorale. Public schools are now experiencing a severe shortage of music teachers, so our students usually have several job offers upon graduation. Moreover, there is a shortage of qualified musicians to fill part-time church music positions. Several of our current students hold part-time positions as church choir directors or paid soloists. All of our graduates are either placed in public school music postions, or attend the best graduate schools. |