MSUM School of Performing Arts

Fargo-Moorhead parents! There is one week left to register your child for this summer’s MSUM Youth Choir, working with Brandon Van Den Eykel and Chris Underwood. It’s an incredible experience of joyful music-making!

June 24-27, 9am-3pm 🎵
Open to ages 8-12 🎼
Register here 📋
https://www.mnstate.edu/about/engaged-learning/college-for-kids-teens/classes/

📣📣📣SOLD OUT!! Our remaining shows (June 13-15) for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF are sold out! There will be a waiting list at the box office (801 13th St. S. Moorhead) and any seats available will be released at 7:28 pm.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all who have purchased tickets for this fabulous musical!

Straw Hat Players: Swing! https://mnstatetickets.universitytickets.com/?cid=193

Dr. Kenyon Williams performed David Macbrides' "Staying the Course" in honor of our veterans and their families on Memorial Day on Veterans Memorial Bridge in Fargo. Enjoy the performance yourself ( ):

Staying the Course (After Rzewski) by David Macbride by Dr. Kenyon Williams A live performance of David Macbride's "Staying the Course" performed on Veterans Memorial Bridge in Fargo, ND on Memorial Day: May 27, 2024

Attention parents of middle school and high school students: Jazz Band Camp is coming to MSUM this summer through the efforts of the Kicks! Big Band. Reserve your beginner, intermediate, or advanced son or daughter a spot ASAP! 

Summer Jazz band experience at MSUM The session dates are June 3rd-6th, July 8th-11th and July 29th-August 1st. Each session is from 9-11:30 a.m. and held at the Roland Dille Center for the arts at MSUM.

Straw Hat is back with two great shows this June: “Swing!” and the timely “Fiddler on the Roof.” Check-out all of the action this summer at:

Straw Hat Players at Minnesota State University Moorhead The Minnesota State University Moorhead Straw Hat Players program is an intense ten week experience consisting of approximately 50 actors, technicians and staff members who work seven days a week, 10 hours a day to present five professional quality productions.

Dr. Kenyon Williams, Professor of Percussion, is currently studying West African drumming and dance in Ghana with a group of American professors and graduate students. After performing traditional music in Northern Ghana, he and the other professors were awarded honorary chieftancy titles, complete with a full traditional coronation ceremony!

Congratulations to our outstanding SPA spring graduates! We can’t wait to see all that you will accomplish!

Celebrate our Spring 2024 SPA graduates!
Brady Larson, (Blaine, MN) B.S. Degree in Commercial Music. "One of my favorite memories at MSUM is going on choir tours. We got to sing in cool places and do so many cool things." Congratulations, Brady and all our SPA grads!

Congratulations to Dr. Amy Mercer, Professor of Piano, for being named the winner of the Dragon Excellence Community Engagement Award! She is a true force for our University and community!

Celebrate our Spring 2024 SPA graduates!

Anna Beauchamp, a Commercial Music Major with an Entertainment Business Minor is from Fargo, ND.
"A favorite memory I have from my time at MSUM is collaborating with fellow musicians to bring my original songs to life. Getting to hear my music develop from a vocal line and piano to a full rock band has been one of the coolest experiences for me and I cannot wait to carry these skills with me into my future career!"

Celebrate our Spring 2024 SPA Graduates!

Jett Swanson is a Vocal Music Education major from Minot, ND! "My favorite memories of my time at MSUM include leading our vocal group Solfire and taking both small and big trips with my fellow musicians and educators❤️"

Celebrate our Spring 2024 SPA graduates!
Emma Dettmann is from Norwood Young America, MN majoring in Vocal Music Education and Instrumental Music Education
"I loved traveling with MSUM, whether just to the twin cities with the band, choir, or NAfME or going all the way to Trinidad and Tobago!"

Some highlights from our last week of performances this semester. Special congratulations to Ryan Stangl and Anna Beauchamp for excellent senior recitals. This week we turn our attention to juries.

Student led chamber ensemble provided music for the Student Academic Conference today.

It’s the final week of the semester:
Tuesday 4/23 - Chamber Winds and Percussion Ensembles - 7:30pm, Gaede. Thursday 4/25 - Choirs - 7:30pm, Gaede. Friday 4/26 - Ryan Stangl Senior Recital - 7:30pm, Gaede. Saturday 4/27 - Anna Beauchamp Senior Recital - 7:30pm, Gaede. Sunday 4/28 - String Orchestra - 3:00pm, Hanson Theater.

Congratulations to majors Elle Williams (music performance) and Kayla Kurowski (instrumental music Ed) for a fantastic Junior Recital this afternoon.

Our Jazz program (Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Guitar Ensemble) was featured in a fantastic concert last night. Congratulations to all the students!

Jazz tonight in Hansen or online: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=y4cSHC5BpD4

Commercial Ensemble ROCKED the CMU tonight!

Another busy week in SPA.
Monday, 4/15 - Commercial Ensemble. Tuesday, 4/16 - Jazz and Guitar Ensembles. Sunday, 4/21 - Kayla Kurowski and Elle Williams Junior Recital.

Commercial Ensemble takes the stage tonight in the CMU Ballroom. Live stream link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn81aHjLOAY

Minnesota State University Moorhead's Jazz Ensemble will be performing their spring concert at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16 in the Hansen Theatre.

They will perform a variety of big band jazz styles and feature guest soloist Paul Liversage, a member of the MSUM music faculty. The concert will also feature performances by the MSUM Jazz Combo and Guitar Ensemble.

🎫 mnstate.edu/tickets

The pit ensemble for “First Date” playing tonight and tomorrow.

Performances continue next week! On Monday, the Commercial Ensemble performs in the CMU Ballroom.
On Tuesday, the Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, and Guitar Ensemble present their Spring concert in Hansen Theater. Both performances begin at 7:30pm. On Sunday, April 21, music majors Kayla Kurowski and Elle Williams present a Junior Recital at 5:30pm in Fox Recital Hall.

The semester end is in sight which means a busy schedule of performances. This week we have our musical First Date this Thursday and Friday. Then Dr Mercer takes the stage for a faculty recital on Saturday afternoon. Tickets at mnstatetickets.universitytickets.com