NIU is home to an internationally recognized music program that Stephanie Schiller and Robert Petitto are proud to be a part of.

For Schiller, a sophomore music performance major, singing is in her genes – her father is a professional singer who used to sing on television and radio and recently recorded an adult contemporary CD. However, Schiller says she was never pressured by her parents to become a music major.

“I am doing this because I can’t see myself doing anything else besides singing,” she said.

Schiller, who is enrolled in 15 hours this semester, is in concert choir and tries to practice at least an hour to an hour and a half four times a week on her vocal skills.

Petitto, a senior music education major, is taking 23 credit hours this semester and is also the vice president of both the National Association for Music Education and the American Choral Directors Association.

In high school, Petitto was on the path to becoming a computer science major at NIU – until he realized that he didn’t want to sit behind a computer all day.

While Petitto has set his sights on teaching, whether it is high school choir or general music education at a middle school, he wants to be involved in music ministry and become the choral conductor of a church choir.

Petitto also works at Johnny’s Charhouse in Sycamore and is the Worship Intern at IMPACT Christian Fellowship.

Despite all this involvement, Petitto said he still finds time to hang out with friends and spend time with his fiancée.

Having to balance all these commitments isn’t the only problem music majors face – they also have to work hard to earn other students’ respect.

Schiller and Petitto both said most non-music majors think they have it easy or brush them off as the “band- camp students.” However, once students take a look at all that is expected from music majors, they start to see things in a different light, Petitto said.

Instrumentalists are required to learn how to play every single instrument in a typical orchestral arrangement, he said.

Every music major also must take what is called a jury once a year.

The jury was previously once every semester. Vocal teachers form a panel of judges, which judge the students on diction and overall performance. Instrumentalists also have juries, but get to use sheet music, while a vocal student must memorize their pieces, Petitto said.

“Since I am a vocal performance major, I have to prepare ten songs in Italian, French, German and English,” Schiller said.

Schiller said she loves to get on stage, perform and feel the energy from the audience. After college, Schiller hopes to travel and perform throughout all parts of the world, putting out CDs along the way.

“Just being here at NIU has definitely put my foot in the door to amazing opportunities,” she said.

Petitto said his experience at NIU doesn’t compare to anything else in his life.

“I have found out more about myself here at NIU than anywhere else,” Petitto said. “I’m utterly grateful for the opportunities NIU has given me and I just hope one day I can return the favor.”