The music department offers a challenging and enriching curriculum for music majors, minors and students wishing to pursue music as an avocation. Music majors prepare themselves for one of a variety of careers in performance, education, music industry, or graduate school. Saint Mary’s University offers majors in music performance (all wind instruments, keyboard and composition), music education (K–12 Classroom and Vocal or K–12 Classroom and Instrumental), music industry, either music business or music technology, and music. A popular option for students is to complete the bachelor’s degree with a major in either music or music performance and continuing at Saint Mary’s in the Master of Arts in Instruction program; in a total of five years and one summer session qualified students, once certified, have a master’s degree and Minnesota teaching licensure.

General Department Goals

• Music degree programs develop the skills required for success in any of several career paths.
• Musical study provides students with opportunities to develop and enrich their personal and spiritual lives, explore the connection of music to various cultures and historical periods, and develop the basis for life-long participation in the arts.
• Music majors who complete graduation requirements from the Saint Mary’s Music Department will demonstrate knowledge of music history, including western music, world music and contemporary musical styles.
• Music majors will demonstrate analytical skills in the areas of music theory and aural skills, analysis of music from all historical periods, and will develop skills and understanding in conducting, arranging, improvisation and technology.
• Music majors will demonstrate performance skills appropriate to their major with their primary instrument or voice, as well as piano skills appropriate to their major emphasis.

The music faculty are active professionals and nurturing mentors for students. Faculty members and students present an ambitious calendar of recitals and concerts each year. Please see the course descriptions for complete listings of student ensembles, all of which perform on a regular basis, many of which tour regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Students anticipating majoring in music should take music fundamentals, applied lessons, ensembles, and experiencing music during their freshman year. Music performance and music education majors should take piano class and/or piano lessons until they are able to pass the required piano proficiency examination, normally taken during the Junior year. Many courses are offered in a rotating biennial schedule; students are responsible for completing required courses when they are offered.

Students are officially admitted to majors within the music department on the basis of an audition and are expected to successfully complete a comprehensive sophomore review (MU299), which includes a portfolio assessment, essays, interview, and juried performance examination.

Majors/Minors Offered
Music Major
Music Education Major (either Classroom & Instrumental Track or Classroom & Vocal Track)
Music Industry Major (either Business Track or Technology Track)
Music Performance Major
Music Minor

For more information contact
Dr. Ned Kirk, Chair
Music Department
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
700 Terrace Heights #1460
800-635-5987, Ext. 1513
nkirk@smumn.edu