Music

Why study music?

A music degree provides a comprehensive instrumental, vocal or piano education that challenges and prepares students for professional careers and graduate study.

  • All students are offered the opportunity to study and perform on their instrument of choice in a nurturing environment.
  • Choral, band, symphonic, contemporary, chamber and jazz ensembles are available for all students at Augustana, with music majors often acting as section leaders and soloists.

 

Music at AU

Music at AU

Course Descriptions

Major Map

Faculty


Related Programs of Study


Contacts


Social


 

Latest News

The Augustana University School of Music (SoM) is excited to announce that the Augustana Northlanders Jazz Band and Faculty Jazz Combo, along with 800 middle and high school students from three states, will perform during the 49th Annual Jazz on the Upper Great Plains Festival on March 4 and 5, at Hamre Recital Hall in the Fryxell Humanities Center. The jazz festival will feature Matthew Whitaker — an internationally-touring pianist, as well as a Hammond B3, Yamaha and Nord-performing artist — in concert alongside the Northlanders Jazz Band at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 4, at the Washington Pavilion.

The Augustana University School of Music is excited to announce its 2024 J. Earl Lee Piano Festival on Friday, Feb. 23, at Hamre Recital Hall in the Fryxell Humanities Center. As part of the festival, prospective and current Augustana students will have the opportunity to sit in on a masterclass and receive coaching from Grammy-nominated Joyce Yang.

In collaboration with Campus Ministry, the Augustana School of Music (SoM) invites the public to join the university community for its 2023 Christmas Vespers  Concert, “And a little child shall lead them" on Friday, Dec. 1, and Saturday, Dec. 2. For more information and how to purchase tickets, visit augie.edu/vespers.

Highlights

Orchestra School of Music

Careers

Graduates succeed in careers as K-12 music teachers, performance instrumentalists or vocalists, composers and arrangers, stage managers and multimedia editors.

Hands-On Learning

Internship opportunities include:

  • Arts South Dakota
  • Levitt at the Falls
  • Churches in the Midwest region
  • Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society (SFJB)
  • South Dakota Symphony Orchestra (SDSO)
  • Washington Pavilion

Music students study away in:

  • Europe — with the Augustana Choir tour
  • Spain —with the Augustana Band tour
  • Germany — with Angelus at the Women's Choir Festival in Potsdam

Courses & Organizations

Music majors will choose an emphasis in instrumental or vocal study. Participation in lessons, piano proficiency and ensembles is required. Music majors also give both junior and senior recitals, as well as regular solo performances during recital hour.

Students study these areas:

  • Theory
  • Aural skills
  • History and literature
  • Conducting
  • Music technology

Music students often participate in:

  • Augustana Student Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
  • National Association for Music Education
  • Choral and instrumental ensembles
  • Ukulele Club
  • Hip-Hop Club