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Converse University
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Petrie School of Music

A beacon for passionate musicians.
Scholarship Auditions

For more than a century, the Petrie School of Music has been a beacon for passionate musicians and a standard-bearer for artistic excellence. A founding member of the National Association of Schools of Music (way back in 1928!) the Petrie School hosts nearly 150 concerts every year — fully staged operas, a world-class chamber music series, symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, choirs, and dozens of student recitals.

No matter what your musical passion, you’ll find a path to your professional future at Petrie.

Our artist faculty of specialists and low student-teacher ratio ensure that your unique gifts and goals will be cultivated by professional mentors of the highest order.

Petrie By The Numbers

  • 8
    majors and minors
  • 5
    graduate programs
  • 7:1
    faculty/student ratio

Creativity That Works is our initiative to prepare passionate young artists like you for productive careers in the arts. You’ll hone your craft as well as gaining skills in marketing for the arts, portfolio development and career management. Blending your craft with these inter-disciplinary skills will give you an edge when you go to seek jobs and opportunities in the arts world.

“Our students gain a comprehensive understanding of how the arts work together in order to be effective advocates for their programs and their art.”

Dr. Chris Vaneman, Dean of the School of the Arts

“Our students gain a comprehensive understanding of how the arts work together in order to be effective advocates for their programs and their art.”

A key element to this initiative is the experiential learning requirement. All SOA students will gain professional experience through their choice of internship, faculty-mentored research projects in arts fields, or other opportunities.

Areas of Study

Majors

  • Contemporary Music and Media
  • Music
  • Music Composition
  • Music Education
  • Music Performance
  • Music Therapy

Minors

  • Music

Certificates

  • Certificate in Music Business and Technology
  • Converse Alternative Certification in Art Education

Graduate Programs

  • Master of Music
  • Graduate Performance Diploma in Music
  • Master of Music (MM) in Music Education 
  • Master of Music (MM) in Music Education – Initial Certification
  • Master of Music (MM) in Performance 

Petrie Events

Petrie Facilities

Petrie Audition Requirements

Lawson Academy

Petrie Faculty & Staff

Petrie School of Music Faculty and Staff

Susana Lalama

Associate Professor of Music Education; Director of the Petrie School of Music

Rachel Bani

Assistant Professor of Musicology

David Berry

Daniel Professor of Music

Elizabeth Eggerding

Assistant Professor of Music Therapy

Steven Graff

Assistant Professor of Piano

Keith Jones

Professor of Voice and Choral Activities

Courtney E. LeBauer

Associate Professor of Music

Susan Lyle

Associate Professor of Voice

Valerie MacPhail

Associate Professor of Voice and Assistant Director of the Petrie School of Music

Mildred Roche

Instructor of Accompanying

Scott Robbins

Coordinator, Contemporary Music and Composition

Carol Shultis

Associate Professor of Music Therapy

Christopher Vaneman

Dean of the School of the Arts; Associate Professor of Flute

Kelly Vaneman

Mary Reynolds Babcock Professor of Oboe and Musicology

School of the Arts

In the moment of creation, each artist faces a question: “What will I make of this?”

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Visit Campus Apply Support the Arts at Converse

Dean of the School of the Arts

Christopher Vaneman

864.596.9038
chris.vaneman@converse.edu
Blackman Music Hall 202/230

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