Augustana University is widely recognized for its tradition of excellence in music. Students graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree with the following majors:
Augustana School of Music
⇒ Viking Marching Band
⇒ Augustana Bands
⇒ Choral Ensembles
⇒ Orchestral Ensembles
⇒ Jazz Ensembles
Chamber Ensembles:
Chamber Choir — This choir includes selected voices of the Augustana Choir conducted by Dr. Paul Nesheim.
Augustana Jazz Combo — Selected jazz musicians make up this tight combo that performs on and off campus.
Augustana Rock Combo — For students looking for a more electric experience, this ensemble is designed for students to create and perform rock/pop music on and off campus.
Brass Choir — This group actively contributes to the campus and community in musical performances and at religious events, and is conducted by Dr. Christopher Unger.
Other Instrumental Programs & Ensembles:
- Pep Band
- Clarinet Choir
- Trombone Choir
- Percussion Ensemble
- Mallet Ensemble
- Flute Choir
- Woodwind Quintet
- String Chamber Ensemble
- Saxophone Quartet
- Brass Quintet
- Guitar
- Symphony Chorus (in conjunction with the South Dakota Symphony)
Many of our students have the opportunity to travel nationally — and even internationally — as part of performance tours.
In today’s evolving world of the performing arts, pianists must enter their careers with more skills than ever before. The successful pianists of tomorrow must be distinctive creative artists and musical thinkers.
The School of Music at Augustana offers many opportunities in the area of piano for music majors and non-majors, including courses in applied study, and class piano for students of all levels. Keyboard faculty are practicing artists, teachers and scholars. While they make classroom instruction lively and important, their one-on-one interaction in private lessons is what most serious keyboard students find most rewarding.
Student Access to Pianos
Students at Augustana who study piano have access to eighteen pianos, individual rehearsal rooms and practice rooms. A 7' Steinway Grand was recently purchased through the generous support of an Augustana alumnus, and it is used exclusively for piano student practice. Our 9' Steinway Concert Grand was selected by our faculty directly from Steinway Hall in New York City. This instrument is a premier artist-level performing instrument and is used exclusively in Kresge Recital Hall. While used on only a limited basis for guest artist and faculty recitals, piano students perform on the instrument in masterclasses and recitals.
An electronic piano laboratory is also available for student use and instruction. The facility includes ten full-keyboard units with MIDI, a master keyboard with extensive sequencing and orchestration capabilities, an integrated computer and sound system, and music notational and display devices. The lab is our primary instructional facility for all group piano classes and is used as a training facility for students learning to teach group piano.
Goal of Applied Area
The goal of the applied area for non-majors is to help students acquire piano skills that will help them in their future musical careers, regardless of the specific area they intend to enter. In fact, all students seeking a music degree from Augustana must successfully complete the piano proficiency exam designed for either vocal or instrumental majors. This includes skills in sight-reading, improvisation, harmonization, technique, keyboard theory (scales, chords and progressions), transposition, repertoire and accompanying.
Augustana students have been successful in competitions at the regional and national levels. Recent graduates currently pursue advanced degrees and/or teach piano across the nation.
The School of Music offers performance experiences that include international and regional touring, performances in the renowned Mary W. Sommervold Hall of the Washington Pavilion and the opportunity to perform and learn from nationally known visiting artists. Check out our calendar of events for the current year!
If you are interested in auditioning for our music ensembles, we welcome you! First of all, anyone can audition. You do NOT need to be a music major to be in any of our ensembles. You do, however, need to come ready to share your musicianship and perform to the best of your ability during your audition. Leave your nerves at home or in your residence hall room — we are eager to meet (and hear) you! Ensemble auditions are typically held at the start of the academic year, and the instrumental area re-auditions prior to the beginning of each semester. Please do not hesitate to contact our faculty if you have any questions about your audition.
Audition Information For:
Augustana Bands, or contact Dr. Christopher Unger for more information
Choral Ensembles, or contact Dr. Russell Svenningsen for more information
Orchestra, information coming soon!
Jazz Ensembles, or contact Dr. Brian Hanegan for more information
Augustana University has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music since 1972.
National Association of Schools of Music
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, VA 20190-5248