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Our students. Their voice.

Music

Put your dreams into action with Minot State
Whether you choose to perform, teach in a private studio or classroom, or prepare for advanced studies, Minot State University will offer the education and experiences you need to prepare for your professional and personal goals. With programs in band, keyboard, string, guitar, voice, and music education, our students can expect to receive instruction in these specialized areas:

  • Composing, conducting, arranging, improvisation, and performance
  • Music literature, theory, and history
  • Music technology, including audio/video production, podcasting, FL Studio, Finale, and more.

Led by a nationally acclaimed music faculty, you can pursue private instruction and participate in ensembles ranging from chamber music to the Minot State marching band. You will participate in large and small ensembles, private lessons, and master classes. All students present a senior recital.

Career outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, music directors and composers earn a median pay of $49,130 per year.

Offered: On campus

Be inspired . . . earn your music degree

Performance opportunities
Students perform with each other and alongside Minot State faculty members, regional musicians, and with international guest artists in large and small ensembles. You can perform with any of these groups:
  • Concert Band, Marching Band, and/or Athletic Band
  • Jazz, brass, woodwind, percussion, string, and marimba ensembles
  • Piano and organ recitals, accompanying work, and ensemble work
  • Concert Choir, Women’s Chorus, and MSU Singers
  • Minot Symphony Orchestra
  • Chamber Music
  • Western Plains Opera Company

Employment outlook

Our music education graduates get jobs. Period. Minot State has an excellent history of placing teachers around the region in elementary music, choir, band, and string programs. In recent years, many have earned job offers before graduating, and the future for employment in music education looks bright. Several recent graduates have completed the BSEd program in four years, moving directly into the workplace.

 

Numerous other graduates have gone on to pursue higher degrees and professional engagements. Employment of musicians and music teachers is expected to grow about as fast as the national average for all occupations.

Festivals
The Division of Performing Arts has an active outreach program and sponsors three annual festivals:
  • Northwest International Festival of Music – for high school students in band, choirs, jazz, and chamber music
  • Dakota Chamber Music – intensive chamber music training for high school and adult instrumentalists
  • Magic City Jazz Festival – college, high school, and middle school ensembles work with nationally acclaimed professionals during this annual February event
Performance spaces
Our premiere performance facility is Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. Architecturally stunning and technologically state-of-the-art, many consider the 920-seat auditorium the finest performance hall in the state.

Program options (Catalog Links)


Department website


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Scholarships
Each year, numerous scholarships are awarded to music majors, minors, and participants alike. You may audition for any of the awards by calling the Division of Performing Arts office. All awards are competitive and may be renewed for up to five years.

Accreditation
The Division of Music is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Minot State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.