Music Ensembles

We value enrichment opportunities that allow our students to share their passion for music with both our St. Scholastica community and the greater community. Our choral, instrumental and chamber music ensembles perform on campus at least twice per semester, participate in community service events and serve as ambassadors for important College ceremonies. In addition, our groups have toured locally, regionally, nationally or internationally.

To participate in Music Ensembles, registration information can be found in each ensemble course description. Once you have registered, the director will reach out to schedule a placement meeting, if required.

Music at St. Scholastica

Performances at St. Scholastica, from solo recitals to ensemble concerts, celebrate the range and incredible talent of our student musicians. Watch and listen to some of our highlighted performances below.

Scholarships

St. Scholastica offers a talent-based scholarship for students in all majors who are participating in Music Ensembles.

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Spotlight

Spotlight Arts and Lectures celebrates arts of all kinds, especially music. Throughout the year, the Music Department sponsors student performances, faculty recitals and ensemble concerts.

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They’ve fueled my creative drive, honed my techniques and skills, and helped me explore aspects of musicianship.

Isaac Valley

Choirs

Choirs are open to all students! Choir is an academic course that can count toward up to 8 Veritas General Education credits in Fine Arts and Open courses.

Learn more about the choral ensembles and find your place in a choir at St. Scholastica.

Bella Voce

Bella Voce is a 40-voice auditioned treble ensemble at The College of St. Scholastica, with singers representing the diversity of majors offered through the College. A featured group on Minnesota Public Radio, Bella Voce singers strive to perform high-quality and challenging repertoire from all genres — they had the privilege of doing so as invited performers to the ACDA-MN State Conference in 2017 and the ACDA Central/North Central Regional Conference in 2020.

Bella Voce and The College of St. Scholastica Choirs maintain an active performance schedule, presenting their annual “O Holy Night” concert in addition to engaging in both national and international touring. Along with four other collegiate women’s choirs from across Minnesota, Bella Voce participates annually in the “Still I Rise” concert, highlighting the link between the arts, education and social justice as they perform songs of struggle, strength and empowerment, themes which also inspired Bella Voce’s debut recording, “Still I Rise.”

To participate in Bella Voce, register for MUS 3210. Once you have registered, you will meet with the director for placement.

Chamber Choir

Chamber Choir is an auditioned ensemble performing advanced SATB repertoire. Chamber Choir performs several times each semester and annually tours regionally, nationally, or internationally.

To participate in the Chamber Choir, email Dr. Carrick to sign up for an audition. You will register for MUS 3511.

Concert Choir

Concert Choir is an ensemble of mixed voices. Members rehearse and perform a wide range of music from various historical periods, styles and cultures. Concert Choir performs several times each semester and annually tours regionally, nationally or internationally.

To participate in Concert Choir, register for MUS 3211. Once you have registered, you will meet with the director for placement.

Bands

St. Scholastica Bands are open to all students. Concert Band is an academic course that can count toward up to 8 of Veritas General Education credits in Fine Arts and Open courses.

Learn more about the St. Scholastica Bands and find your place in the music program.

Concert Band

Concert Band is made up of wind, brass and percussion players of varying levels of musical skill and experience. The ensemble performs at least twice per semester.

To participate in Concert Band, register for MUS 3212. Once you have registered, you will meet with the director for placement.

Jazz Band

Jazz Band performs several times each semester at community and on-campus events. Jazz Band studies and performs a variety of styles, including swing, blues, Latin jazz and funk.

To participate in Jazz Band, register for MUS 3213. Once you have registered, you will meet with the director for placement.

Handbell Ensemble

The handbell ensemble, Benedictine Bronze, is a chamber group open to all students, regardless of major or minor pursuits. Members should, however, be able to read music. Previous ringing experience is not necessary. If you are interested, please contact the director for more information.

Steel Band

The College of St. Scholastica Steel Band is one of the only steel bands in the upper midwest. This ensemble performs traditional T & T styles such as soca and calypso, as well as jazz, classical and popular styles while also engaging in community outreach and education.

To participate in Steel Band, register for MUS 1214. Once you have registered, you will meet with the director for placement.

Orchestra

String Orchestra is open to students who play the violin, viola, cello or bass. If you have played a string instrument in your high school orchestra or have equivalent skills, you are welcome to join. The ensemble performs at least twice per semester, and the repertoire includes masterworks of string ensemble literature from the Renaissance to the present.

To participate in String Orchestra, register for MUS 3214. Once you have registered, you will meet with the director for placement.

Meet Our Faculty

Experienced, Dedicated and Distinguished Educators

Expect to be heard, to be challenged and to be involved. St. Scholastica faculty are world-class scholars and experts in their field who invest in your success. Our values of community, respect, stewardship, hospitality and love of learning reflect our faculty’s commitment to lifting up others and celebrating our common humanity.

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