Published on May 15, 2025 by Joelle Youngblood  
Lakeshore Performance DownBeat

Lakeshore, Samford University's rhythm and blues (R&B) ensemble, has earned national recognition, being named the Undergraduate College Outstanding Performance of the Year by DownBeat magazine. The prestigious honor is featured in the June issue of the magazine, which hit newsstands on May 11. Known as the definitive voice in jazz, blues and R&B journalism for over 90 years, DownBeat's endorsement places Lakeshore among the most promising collegiate music groups in the country.

This recognition highlights not only the talent and dedication of Lakeshore's student musicians but also the growing reputation of Samford as a destination for those pursuing studies in commercial music. Under the guidance of committed faculty and through access to robust performance opportunities, Samford students are proving they can compete and excel on the national stage.

Steven Potaczek, associate professor and program director, said, “I’m delighted by this remarkable achievement of the students in our Lakeshore ensemble. With the commercial music program only being five years old, this truly is a wonderful accomplishment. This award places Samford in an echelon reserved mostly for institutions who have been offering a program like this for much, much longer.”

Lakeshore’s win marks a milestone for Samford’s School of the Arts and its efforts to expand the reach and impact of its music programs. As interest in modern music studies continues to grow, this accolade will likely attract a new wave of aspiring musicians to Samford, eager to be part of a thriving, award-winning community.

Potaczek added, “Samford is a one-of-a-kind institution and moments like this are a true testament to the type of students our university attracts.”

The commercial music program instills and fosters a do-it-yourself attitude necessary for any entrepreneurial musician while offering a unique approach to the commercial music industry. Students gain real-world performance experience through three student-led ensembles, including Lakeshore, and develop their skills with courses in songwriting, music production, live performance, and touring.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.