We’re excited to introduce you to the programs, faculty, and facilities of Music at Northwestern State University! The Music division of NSU’s School of Creative and Performing Arts offers fully-accredited bachelor’s degrees in Music Education, Music Performance, and Music Performance with a concentration in Sacred Music, as well as a Master of Music graduate degree.

Our facilities and faculty, described and profiled on this website, are some of the finest in the South. (NSU’s School of Creative and Performing Arts has been recognized as an “Area of Excellence” among Louisiana colleges and universities.) And NSU students have an opportunity to perform in exciting vocal and instrumental ensembles such as the NSU Choirs, Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony, Wind and Jazz Ensembles, and the 300-member “Spirit of Northwestern” Marching Band. Scholarships are available for musically gifted students, regardless of their major course of study, who want to perform in NSU ensembles or as keyboard artists.

Whatever your musical talent, there is a place for you at NSU! Look through our website to learn much more about Music at Northwestern. And please contact me if I can answer any questions or provide additional information regarding our programs, ensembles, scholarships, or faculty.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Tony C. Smith Coordinator of Music School of Creative and Performing Arts (318) 357-5807 (318) 357-5906 (FAX) smitht@nsula.edu

OUR MISSION

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a friendly, vibrant, student-oriented institution of higher learning committed to preparing students to adapt to change throughout life. The University places the highest premium on excellence in teaching. It also maintains a firm commitment to the economic, social and cultural development and diversification of the state and the region.

Consistent with this mission, the School of Creative and Performing Arts seeks to assist students in acquiring skills and knowledge necessary to meet their professional, social and personal needs. Through the interaction of the arts, the School desires to broaden the possibilities of self-development for all students and extend its influence culturally in the region served by the University.

Music is one of three artistic disciplines represented in the School of Creative and Performing Arts, the others being Visual Art and Theatre. The Music Division desires though its various programs to achieve the following:

Prepare students for careers in music. Encourage development of creativity and performance capabilities of students and faculty. Provide cultural enrichment and artistic services to the individual student, university, and community.

In realizing these goals, the School must provide a comprehensive musical course of study that prepares the student for the ever-changing climate of the music profession. Through applied work, the music student is offered the opportunity to work individually with professors, providing expert training in technical and artistic skills. Faculty and students refine these skills through numerous performance opportunities, involving the various large ensembles, as well as chamber music and recital performances.

The music faculty, staff, students and administrators should be anxious to make their service and scholarship available to the community and region. The School believes the earnest pursuit of this mission will have a strong effect in promoting and cultivating the arts in our community and will greatly enhance Northwestern State University's influence throughout the region.

The Division of Music, as part of the School for Creative and Performing Arts, is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and its guidelines.