Instrumental Performance

The Instrumental Performance Department within the Conservatory of Music is a vibrant collection of talented and actively performing musicians.  All of our teachers bring a wealth of professional performing and teaching experience to the students at Capital.  From performances with professional orchestras to chamber music making, our professors indeed "practice what they teach" on a daily basis.  All Conservatory majors receive a one-hour weekly lesson covering advanced performance techniques and the best of the solo literature.  Students receive additional training in the many small ensembles coached by our faculty on a regular basis.

As an institution dedicated to undergraduate instruction, all students at Capital receive lessons with a full-fledged member of the Conservatory faculty.  And while this remains true for applied lessons, it is also true of all of our classes - each one is taught by a professor who is an expert in their particular discipline. 

Faculty Profile: Professor Nicholas J. Perrini

A native of Columbus, Ohio and a graduate of The Ohio State University, Professor Nicholas J. Perrini is well known as a hornist, teacher, composer and conductor. He spent 35 years in the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and retired as principal hornist. During this time, he worked with virtually all of the great classical music figures of our time. He was a featured soloist with the orchestra on several occasions, performing concerti by Richard Strauss, Mozart, and Vivaldi, and he has appeared as recitalist at the International Horn Workshop.

Many of his former students have performed with major symphony orchestras, and many occupy important college teaching positions. Under his direction, the Capital University Horn Choir participated in the 1978 and 1979 International Heldenleben Horn Competitions in Cleveland. The Horn Choir also was invited to perform at the 1978 International Horn Workshop held at Michigan State University.

As a composer his "3 Miniature Frescoes" for horn choir was performed at the 1978 International horn convention and subsequent performances took place in this country as well as in Brussels and Tel Aviv.  His "Festival Fanfare" was recorded commercially by The Weiner Horn Ensemble.  As a conductor, he has directed the Capital University/Bexley Community Orchestra since 1979, and in December 1986, was chosen to conduct a benefit concert of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.  He is a member and also serves as the assistant conductor of the Lancaster Festival Orchestra.

Perrini's CD "Favorite Horn Encores" was released in early 2007 and was favorably reviewed in the May 2007 issue of The Horn Call, a publication of the International Horn Society. The Horn Call's John Dressler says, "Perrini has assembled a fine and beautifully played disc of unique works that are sure to please ..."  "Favorite Horn Encores" can be purchased online through the Capital University Bookstore.