Performance Opportunities

Private instruction is available in voice, piano, organ, guitar, and orchestral instruments. Individual attention is a hallmark of 'Southern. All lessons are taught by faculty members who are active in the professional music world. No teaching is done by graduate assistants.

The music faculty is comprised of dedicated teachers who are active performers, composers, and scholars. BSC faculty perform internationally, as well as give frequent recitals and concerts in the Birmingham area.

The weekly Recital Class is a supportive environment for student performers and composers. Students sign up on their own to perform in these classes, which are attended by faculty, students, and friends from around the campus. No grade is given. Recital Class is a great way to try out new works and become accustomed to public performance.

The annual Whittington Competition provides students with the opportunity to perform as soloists with orchestra, in arias or concerti, as appropriate.

For pianists, the Stephens Competition provides a cash prize and public performance, and the opportunity to be adjudicated by outstanding pianists from around the nation.

Concert Choir tours annually and is open by audition. Recent concerts included Yale University's Battell Chapel and Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York.

Opera Workshop presents a fully-staged opera with professional orchestra every other year. Recent productions include The Counsel, Daphne at Sea (premiere), Regina, Albert Herring, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. Music students also audition for roles in BSC's intensive program in musical theatre, which has recently presented stagings of The Secret Garden, Blood Brothers, and Stephen Sondheim's Passion.

BSC Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band are open by audition, and they present annual concerts on campus.

The Red Mountain Chamber Orchestra is in residence on the campus, and student instrumentalists are encouraged to audition. Pianists and instrumentalists can also arrange to work with Alabama Symphony Orchestra players in chamber music groups.

The Hilltop Singers is a vocal jazz ensemble, whose members receive a partial-tuition scholarship. Auditions are held each spring.

The Southern Chorale is a non-auditioned mixed chorus that presents two concerts each year and attracts a wide variety of members from around the campus.

BSC New Music Ensemble gives students the opportunity to perform music of the 20th and 21st century.  It also provides an ensemble for student composers to have their works performed.