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Music at Saint Mary's

Music enriches our lives, and the study of music opens the door to lifelong participation in and appreciation for the arts. 

Saint Mary's offers a challenging and enriching curriculum for music majors, minors, and students who just love music.

Our faculty are active professionals who serve as nurturing mentors to their students and stress collaboration and cooperation over competition. Faculty and students present an ambitious calendar of recitals and concerts each year. Scholarships are available for incoming students, both majors and non-majors. Music students will have the opportunity to tour nationally and internationally with Saint Mary’s music ensembles.

Saint Mary’s also offers a five-year program that combines a B.A. in Music and a Master of Arts in Instruction for students who intend to pursue a teaching licensure. Contact Janet Heukeshoven, music education program director, for more information.

Ensembles

Our student vocal and instrumental ensembles perform regularly, and many tour regionally, nationally, and internationally.

  • Concert Choir
  • Women’s Choir
  • Chamber Singers
  • Concert Band
  • Wind Ensemble
  • Orchestra
  • Chamber Ensembles
  • Jazz Ensemble
  • Jazz Workshop Combo
  • Jazz Combo
  • World Drum Ensemble

Meadowlark Quartet: Artistic Partnership

The Meadowlark Quartet serves as Artistic Partners with Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.

Meadowlark Quartet

Music Scholarships

Music scholarships, in addition to a variety of academic scholarships offered by Saint Mary's, are available to both music majors and non-majors. The Saint Cecilia Music Scholarship, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000, is awarded based on performing ability and musical interest and is renewable all four years. Though you don’t need to be a music major to qualify for an award, you must participate in music activities at Saint Mary's (ensembles, lessons, etc.).

Auditions for the Saint Cecilia Music Scholarship also serve as the required audition for students wishing to declare a music major. Learn more about scholarship auditions.

Performances and Venues

The majority of performances are held in the Performance Center at Saint Mary's. Located on the Winona Campus, it contains the beautiful Page Theatre, the Figliulo Recital Hall, the Studio Theatre, and the Ben Miller Lobby Gallery.

Goals for Our Students

  • 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 music department demonstrate knowledge of music history, including western music, world music, and contemporary musical styles
  • Music majors demonstrate analytical skills in the areas of music theory and aural skills, analysis of music from all historical periods, and develop skills and understanding in conducting, arranging, improvisation, and technology
  • Music majors demonstrate performance skills appropriate to their major with their primary instrument or voice, as well as piano skills appropriate to their major emphasis