Music

Spafford Hall, Room 315
(605) 626-2497

Faculty:
Keyboard: Dr. Marcela Faflak, Dr. William Wieland
Voice: Dr. Darci Bultema; Dr Timothy Woods; Mr. Michael Skyles; Dr. Marla Fogderud
Director of Bands: Dr. Rolf Olson
Director of Choral Activities: Dr. Timothy Woods
Brass: Dr. Grant Manhart; Dr. Rolf Olson
Woodwinds: Mr. Fred Hemke; Dr. Audrey Miller
Strings: Dr. Robert Vodnoy
Percussion and Assistant Director of Bands: Dr. Terry Beckler
Music Education: Dr. Wendy van Gent

NSU is a fully accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The music program at Northern is designed to 1) prepare students to teach music from K-12; 2) prepare students to perform and create music; and 3) develop an understanding and appreciation of the art of music. A variety of music courses are open to students in all major fields of study.

Northern State University offers two music majors and two music minors: the Bachelor of Music Education; the Bachelor of Arts in music; a minor in general music and a minor in elementary music education designed for students pursuing a major in elementary education.

The K-12 teacher certificate is a special certification requiring elementary and secondary methods and student teaching courses. All music education majors register for eight hours of student teaching with a four/four (elementary/secondary or vice versa) split in credits.

NSU offers four-year music scholarships to incoming freshmen and transfer students. They are awarded by auditions (dates announced in advance) held during the spring semester and awarded on the basis of academic achievement, talent, and letters of recommendation.

Music scholarships are awarded to full-time students (12 credit hours or more each semester) who participate in at least one major ensemble each semester the award is in effect. One-half the total award is paid in the fall semester, one half in the spring semester.

The Music Department is housed in the beautiful Johnson Fine Arts Center. The 1,000-seat theater is the setting for diverse cultural events for northeastern South Dakota and southeastern North Dakota. The fine arts center also includes classrooms, studios, and the Berggren Recital Hall. The music department has 20 practice rooms available to students, along with 40 pianos, a class piano and computer lab, electronic music lab, two large rehearsal halls, a seven-rank pipe organ, an extensive music recording library of more than 30,000 CD and long play record titles. The music education laboratory is equipped with Orff instruments and instructional materials for teacher preparation. The spacious keyboard and vocal studios on the third floor of Spafford Hall are beautiful settings for applied instruction.

Performance and ensemble opportunities at NSU are numerous. Performance groups include the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, University/Civic Symphony, Symphonic Band, University/Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and Opera scenes. In addition there are opportunities to participate in woodwind, brass percussion and chamber music ensembles.

Northern has chapters of four national organizations for music students. The National Association for Music Education (MENC) encourages and promotes interest and knowledge in all areas of music education. Pi Kappa Lambda (PKL) is the music honorary society. Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) is a fraternity for women music majors and minors who show excellence in scholarship and musical ability. Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is dedicated to the advancement of music in America. This national music fraternity is open to any male student, instructor, or administrator who shows a love for music by adopting it for his profession or by working for its advancement.

NSU brings professional musicians to campus for residencies, workshops, lectures, and recitals. The NSU Band Clinic, Choral Leadership Workshop, Piano and Voice Workshops, and the South Dakota Jazz Festival feature prominent guest artists and clinicians.

Northern music ensembles that tour each year include the Marching Wolves, Symphonic Band, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Jazz Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and University/Civic Symphony.

Major concert and theatre events presented on campus have included the National Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Boys Choir, South Dakota Symphony, Midwest Opera Theatre, National Shakespeare Company, Dakota String Quartet and Dakota Woodwind Quintet.

Northern State’s Department of Music and Theatre annually presents a major musical. Past productions have included “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Beauty and the Beast, ” “Pirates of Penzance,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat,” “Camelot,” “Grease,” “Guys and Dolls,” “A Little Night Music,” “Brigadoon,” “Caberet,” “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” and “110 in the Shade.”

Northern also offers an exciting schedule of concerts and recitals by students and faculty. The department also hosts the South Dakota High School All-State Chorus and Orchestra, the South Dakota High School All-State Jazz Band, Junior Music Festival, National Piano Guild Auditions, Region IV Music Contest, and the Aberdeen Community Concert Association concerts.

Career Directions

Teaching - elementary/secondary/collegiate
Private studio instruction
Music supervisor
Church musician
Composer/arranger
Music librarian
Professional musician
Conductor
Music industry
Music technician
Sound technician
Television/radio industry

Music

Career Directions

Programs