Jazz Fest 2025

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


Related Programs of Study

  • Media Production & Entrepreneurship
  • Music Education

Contact Us

605.274.5451

School of Music

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Latest News

The Augustana University School of Music (SoM) has launched The Tiårasang (Norwegian for “10-year song”) Project as part of a bold, decade-long initiative by the Augustana Choir to honor, preserve and reimagine the legacy of Lutheran collegiate choral music.

With the launch of the The Tiårasang Project, the SoM released recordings made by the Augustana Choir in March 2025 at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Faribault, Minnesota, which can be found now on all streaming services.

The Augustana School of Music has appointed Matthew Whitaker, an internationally-acclaimed jazz pianist, composer and educator, as the university’s inaugural artist-in-residence.

As part of the Sacred Arts Series at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, the Augustana University School of Music presents Johann Sebastian Bach’s “St. John Passion,” BWV 245, on Tuesday, April 15, at 7:30 p.m. Under the direction of Dr. David Chin, the performance is a collaboration between Augustana’s Bach Collegium and the Augustana Choir — bringing together some of the region’s finest musicians for an unforgettable evening of sacred music, drama and profound reflection.

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