College of Fine Arts Music

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Overview

Music at The U: Be a Part of it!

The mission of the Department of Music at The University of South Dakota is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to become professional musicians—performers, educators, scholars, and lifelong learners. Students are provided opportunities for musical development, leadership development, and personal enrichment through mentored performances, classroom studies, individual instruction and guided research.

Our Goals

  1. To pursue excellence in all chosen endeavors
  2. To provide students with the knowledge and skills to become professional musicians--performers, educators, scholars, and lifelong learners
  3. To establish curricula and programs with broad and diverse viewpoints that are designed to meet the demands and needs of the music students in the Department of Music
  4. To offer music curricula and experiences that will contribute to the liberal arts education of the university community
  5. To provide educational experiences in the arts for the public school and the community through special courses, seminars, tours, festivals, workshops, adjudication, and masterclasses
  6. To remain current with the latest aesthetic, pedagogical, technological, and scholarly developments in the field of music
  7. To present special performances on the university campus and throughout the region
  8. To provide the time, space, materials, and funding for the development of our artist/teachers to continue to expand their creative, scholarly, and artistic activities; and to selectively sponsor such activities
  9. To actively solicit funding from individuals and organizations, with Foundation and administration cooperation,  to support the department in its artistic and educational endeavors
  10. To continue to develop and nurture a strong educational and artistic relationship with the National Music Museum

Our Advantages


Scholarships

We award approximately $140,000 annually in music scholarships ranging from $200 to $4,000 each. Value means getting the most for your money. At The U, "value" means you get an exceptional, affordable education. Read more about tuition and fees at The U.

Activities

Music students have the opportunity to participate in numerous student organizations, activities and ensembles: 

  • Pep Band, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo and Marching Band
  • Brass Chamber Ensembles, Chamber Orchestra and Opera Workshop 
  • Trombone Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Men's and Women's Chorus
  • Chamber Singers and Piano Accompanying
  • Woodwind Ensemble
  • Percussion Ensemble, Steel Drum Band and Symphony Orchestra
  • Concert Band and Concert Choir
  • Music Educators National Conference Chapter
Integrated Learning

Music students aren't isolated from the general student population-- all U students can take advantage of music opportunities, including private lessons.

Academic Excellence

It's evident in our students, as seen in the data for 2004-2005:              

  • Students on music scholarship--81% of these students have a 3.0 GPA or higher
  • Music majors not on music scholarship--64% of these students have a 3.0 GPA or higher
  • The freshman class of 2005--90% of these students have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • 55.2% of the students on the College of Fine Arts Dean's List for spring 2005 were music majors
Leadership

Our students are provided opportunities to develop their leadership skills through their periodic directing of ensemble rehearsals under faculty supervision, through their work in student organizations, through their work as tutors in music classes, and in their guided work with faculty developed projects.

Careers

The U's music education students have a nearly 100% job placement rate following graduation. Our graduates are using their knowledge and talent in a number of exciting fields:

  • military bands
  • university teaching
  • opera company
  • school districts- vocal, instrumental and general music teaching
  • private instruction
  • solo, group and orchestral performance
  • musical theatre
  • visiting artist programs
  • music composition
  • graduate students at major doctoral universities
Facilities

You'll have access to 15 practice rooms, two large rehearsal halls, two computer labs, and three concert halls. We are housed in the104,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts. Music students benefit from this unique creative community that also includes students of art and theatre.

National Music Museum

Students have opportunities to work in the music, study historic instruments and perform in the concert hall.

Performance & Travel

Ensembles tour the quad-state area performing for schools and civic groups. Select groups tour nationally and internationally.

Internship & Work Study

Students have opportunities for work experience in their field of interest while still a student. Students can assist in the band area, orchestra area, keyboard area, or choral area helping faculty in their work.