Florida Gulf Coast University’s Bower School of Music will graduate its first class during spring commencement exercises at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 2 at Germain Arena, in Estero.

Through specialized curricula and extensive general education offerings, the Bower School of Music seeks to prepare professionals for service in music education, music performance and pedagogy. The School also provides rich musical opportunities for students majoring in other disciplines and furnishes cultural enrichment for the southwest Florida community and beyond, officials said.

In addition to meeting the university’s general education requirements, members of the graduating class have pursued extensive course work in music theory, history and literature, as well as participation in large and small ensembles and applied lessons.

The graduates include Katherine Abbott, Bradenton, Fla.; Francesca Da Silva, Punta Gorda, Fla.; Justin Goff, Fort Myers, Fla.; Satoko Hayami, Wakayama, Japan; Edward Rizo, Miami, Fla.; Anthony Schons, Cedar Falls, Iowa; Jamie Spagnola, Fort Myers.

The Bower School of Music accepted its first class of music majors in fall 2006.The school has grown significantly in the four years since the first class was admitted, and expects to see more than 100 music majors enrolled by fall 2010.