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Our students. Their voice.

Music

Offered: On campus

Learn with Minot State
Whether you choose to perform, teach in a private studio or class, or prepare for advanced studies, Minot State University will prepare you to pursue your chosen musical path. We offer comprehensive and personalized curriculum in five areas: band, keyboard, strings, voice, and music education. 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. You 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 and recording/notation software                   

Contact Us:       askmsu@minotstateu.edu       1-800-777-0750 ext. 3350

Be inspired . . . earn our 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 including:
  • Concert Band, Marching Band and/or Athletic Band
  • Jazz, brass, woodwind, percussion and marimba ensembles
  • Piano and organ recitals, accompanying work, and ensemble work
  • Concert Choir, Women’s Chorus, and MSU Singers
  • Minot Symphony Orchestra
  • String Ensemble
  • 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 Music has an active outreach program and sponsors two annual festivals:
  • Northwest International Festival of Music – for high school students in band, women’s chorus, and mixed chorus
  • Dakota Chamber Music Institute – intensive chamber music training for high school and adult instrumentalists
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.