Concert Band
The core of Minot State’s band program is its outstanding concert band. Membership is open to all students across the campus with previous instrumental experience, or for students who are majoring or minoring in music. The band stimulates musical challenge and growth through a variety of concert band literature and utilizes full concert band instrumentation. The band performs two concerts each semester in addition to runout concerts. The band meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 3:00 p.m. Students receive university credit for participating in band. The concert Band is under the Direction of Joseph T. Alme.

The Pride of MSU Marching Band
The MSU Marching Band presents pre-game and half-time shows at home football games as well as Homecoming activities. Comprised of students from nearly every major within the University, this newly reorganized organization combines quality musicianship, MSU spirit, and dedication to create gridiron excitement. The Band will take the field in the fall of 2010 with a new look featuring all new uniforms! Join us in this exciting adventure!

Athletic Band
The MSU Athletic Band is open to any student wishing to perform at ball games throughout the year. They play a vital role in creating an atmosphere of spirit for both Men’s and Women’s home basketball games as well as pep rallies and various community functions as requested. Students receive tuition a stipend as well as university credit for their participation Spring Semester. The band is under the direction of Mark Boren.

Jazz Ensemble
The MSU Jazz Ensemble provides students with exposure to various styles of jazz music while encouraging musicians to imitate these styles through performance. Students also hone their skills through ensemble participation and solo improvisation. The ensemble is under the direction of Joseph T. Alme and consists of "Big Band" instrumentation. It is open to all MSU students by audition. The band rehearses Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 - 1:50 pm. They perform one major concert per semester and for various university and community events.

Percussion at MSU
Percussionists at MSU come from all facets of university life and experience a wide variety of performance opportunities. Percussionists may audition to perform with the MSU Symphonic Band, Drum Line for the “Pride of MSU” Marching Band, Athletic Band, Jazz Ensemble, or Minot Symphony Orchestra, as well as with percussion-only groups such as the Percussion Ensemble or Marimba Ensemble. The percussion ensembles perform two concerts per semester.

Percussion students travel regularly to take part in regional and national percussion events; in 2010 and 2011 they attended Percussive Arts Society International Conventions in Indianapolis, IN.

The percussion department sponsors a Percussion Workshop every other year in conjunction with the Northwest International Festival of Music, bringing outstanding percussion clinicians from across the country to MSU. The event is open to all area middle school, high school, and university students and educators.

Recent percussion guest artists have included the jazz/fusion group Panoramic; pannist Harold Headley from the University of the West Indies; percussionist Jason Kihle; internationally noted marimbist Kevin Bobo; Christian Michael Berg, principal percussionist with the Oslo (Norway) Philharmonic; and the Mat Britain and Dan Moore marimba and steel pan duo.

Percussion activities at MSU are under the direction of Avis Veikley.

Brass and Woodwind Ensembles
Small ensembles including Brass Quintet, Woodwind Quintet, Brass Choir and several small ensembles.