The program, a rare example of public/private collaboration in higher education, allows USC Spartanburg students to take music courses at Converse and private instrumental and voice lessons from Converse faculty. Similarly, Converse students can take courses in the jazz studies program at USC Spartanburg. Graduate students of Converse’s Petrie School of Music have the opportunity to teach introductory music courses at USC Spartanburg and to direct performance groups. Faculty members from both institutions oversee the program.

"Building partnerships has long been the focus of our institution, and we are delighted to be able to join hands with our neighbors at Converse on this innovative program,” said John C. Stockwell, chancellor of USC Spartanburg.

The most visible aspect of the partnership is the opportunity for students from Converse and USC Spartanburg to perform together in ensembles on both campuses, including choral groups, orchestras, jazz bands, and gospel choirs.

Matias Mariani, from Argentina, was the first student to enroll in the program, and he is now pursuing his dream of becoming an opera singer. Now a junior at USC Spartanburg, Mariani competed in the S.C. chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) March 6 where he won first place in the College Junior Men category and performed on the Honors Recital with the winners of the other categories.

Valerie MacPhail is Mariani’s voice teacher at Converse College.

"This program is letting me go on with my dream," Mariani said. "I have the opportunity to improve my musical skills by working with great teachers on two campuses, and I have the chance to perform more, too."

Mariani will compete at the NATS regional competition in College Park, Md., April 3 along with the top scorers from the state competitions held in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C. Two years ago, Mariani won first place in the College Freshman Men category at the regional competition and also was named the Outstanding College Male Singer based on his performance in the Honors Recital.

Santiago Mariani, a USC Spartanburg student, also was one of the top scorers at the state competition, and he, too, will compete April 3 in Maryland in the College Freshmen Men category. He competed last year as a high-school student. He won first place at the regional competition in the Advanced High School Men category and was named Outstanding High School Male Singer from his performance on the Honors Recital.

Converse’s Petrie School of Music is the nation’s only comprehensive, professional school of music within a liberal arts college for women. The school is an accredited, charter member of the National Association of Schools of Music and offers bachelor of music, bachelor of arts, and master of music degrees.

USC Spartanburg offers a concentration in music for students pursuing the Interdisciplinary Studies Degree. USC Spartanburg has been innovative in developing a jazz program with courses in history, theory, and improvisation.

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