A Music Student's Life Outside the Classroom

Campus cultural events – Salem offers on campus excellent concerts, lectures and art exhibits. For example, for fall 2002, Organ Professor John Mitchener premiered a work by Salem Professor Emerita Margaret Vardell Sandresky. The Center for Women Writers and the Salem College Lectures Committee present talks by people like historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and astronaut Susan Still.

Music and other Cultural Opportunities off-campus – One of the things that makes Salem such a great place is being located in Winston-Salem, known as "The City of the Arts," where there are more high-quality cultural events than any one person can possibly take advantage of. The richness and variety of the programs Salem students can attend is equal to the best offered in any university community in the United States. To name only the most obvious: The North Carolina School of the Arts, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, and the Winston-Salem Arts Council all offer world-class artistic and intellectual programs throughout the academic year.

Regional professional orchestras, opera companies, theaters, and choral ensembles offer a wide range of excellent music. In addition, world-class recitalists and ensembles regularly visit Winston-Salem. These include:

• Bel Canto Company, a professional choral ensemble
• Piedmont Chamber Singers
• Piedmont Classic Guitar Society
• Piedmont Opera Company
• Winston-Salem Piedmont Triad Symphony
• Visiting artist series on the various campuses

Social Life – Even for the most dedicated student, there is more to life than practicing and performing. Salem offers intercollegiate (non-scholarship) athletics, an active student government and numerous social events. In addition, some Salem students enjoy athletic events at Wake Forest and Winston-Salem State.