GUITAR STUDIO

The Guitar Studio at Southern Miss is one of the leading guitar departments in the region, housed within one of the leading schools of music in the region. It is headed by nationally-recognized concert artist and educator, Nicholas Ciraldo, and boasts a large number of talented students at the undergraduate and graduate level.  Students of Dr. Ciraldo have gone on to pursue graduate degrees at the New England Conservatory and the Manhattan School of Music, among others.  Students have also graduated “cum laude” and won teaching positions at various institutions around the country.

The Guitar Studio focuses on creating and developing the “whole guitarist” – someone with solid technique, well-trained musicianship, keen sight-reading ability, excellent aural skills, practical foundations in teaching, well-versed knowledge of the major repertoire, and realistic perspectives of the field.

Opportunities each semester at Southern Miss include various types of solo and chamber music performances, masterclasses, and lectures, as well as guest performances and masterclasses.

Degrees

Southern Miss offers the following degrees that allow the guitar as a concentration:

• Bachelor of Music in String Performance (Classical Guitar)
• Bachelor of Music in Education (Classical or Jazz Guitar)
• Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Industry (Classical or Jazz Guitar)
• Master of Music in String Performance (Classical Guitar)
• Doctor of Musical Arts in String Performance (Classical Guitar)

Performances

Performance opportunities are available on a weekly basis in “Recital Class,” at each semester’s “Guitar Gala” and “Chamber Music Recital I and II,” and throughout the year through the USM Guitar Society (founded fall 2008). Students are encouraged to seek out as much performance experience as possible.