What is an SMP?
The St. Mary’s Project (SMP) is a year-long, 8-credit, capstone of study at St. Mary’s.
SMPs are an independently designed and executed course of study. Working with a professor as a mentor, students have the opportunity to explore, in depth, a question or idea that entrances and intrigues them.
The most popular St. Mary’s Project in Music is a public recital with scholarly program notes. However, the nature of the project can be flexible, involving individual research, collaborative work, or contain components of internships, study-abroad programs, etc.
Though Performing Arts majors will usually complete it in the Performing Arts department, it may be carried out in another discipline or in an established cross-disciplinary study area, as long as permission is granted by the Performing Arts department chair.
For further details about the SMP in Music, please see the the Music Handbook, or even better, just ask one of the Performing Arts department music faculty.
SMP Forms
Alternative Capstone Experience
Performing Arts majors are not required to complete an SMP. Instead, they may pursue the Capstone Course in Ensemble Performance Creation during their senior year. Alternatively, they may complete an SMP or senior seminar in another department. Prior approval of the faculty must be obtained before choosing this option.