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  • Minor https://www.stmarytx.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/instrumental-music-major.jpg
  • Bachelor of Arts https://www.stmarytx.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/instrumental-music-major.jpg
  • Teacher Certification https://www.stmarytx.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/instrumental-music-major.jpg

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Music at St. Mary’s

Instrumental Music focuses on helping students achieve their highest level of musicianship as performers.

Along with the music major and liberal arts coursework, performance majors focus on private study with St. Mary’s world-renowned instrumental faculty members, as well as performances in the high-quality ensembles on campus.

Music Scholarships and Auditions
Music Events

  • Music Education Career Opportunities

    If you decide to pursue a teacher certification, there are many careers ahead of you in music education.

    • Band or Orchestra Director: Directors lead music programs that change people’s lives through music and community involvement. Our graduates have unique abilities to design and implement successful instrumental music programs. Our majors are strong in the areas of teaching, conducting, performing, mentoring, fundraising, leading and motivating.
    • Elementary Music Teacher: Guiding young students through their first experiences making music is one of the most rewarding occupations in the world. Elementary students are enthusiastic about learning about music and playing instruments. Our program prepares graduates to teach these musically thirsty classes in a way that changes their lives forever.
    • University Music Professor: Professors have great opportunities to advance their specific fields through teaching, performance, research and collaboration. Students wanting to become higher education professors work with the best musicians in the world right here on campus. Our students are leading candidates for graduate school assistantships and funding around the United States.
    • Private Instructor: Build a career offering private lessons to students young and old. With work on campus in the Department of Music and Greehey School of Business, St. Mary’s graduates are in high demand as private teachers for their high level of musicianship, teaching and strong capabilities in business and marketing.

  • Career Opportunities

    • Accompanist: Pianists are always in demand to accompany professional ensembles, school ensembles and private rehearsals and performances. Accompanists can also perform in chamber music settings or solo recitals. Professionals can build a career full of vast opportunities in secular or sacred music.
    • Arranger: Work with professional and school ensembles to arrange music for concerts and other events. Learn to arrange music for military ensembles, marching band shows, jazz orchestras, musical theatre and more.
    • Arts Administrator: Arts administrators work with professional ensembles and organizations to organize events, market performances, contract personnel and handle financial issues.
    • Audio Engineer: Learn modern audio recording and engineering techniques to put you in demand in the recording or live audio industry. Audio engineers are essential for recording, editing, mixing and mastering live performances and recorded albums.
    • Composer: Learn to write music for band, orchestra, choir or theatre. Composers are in demand for concerts, movie music, video game soundtracks and marching band shows.
    • Conductor: Lead ensembles through rehearsals and performances of modern and past musical styles. Coursework is designed to help aspiring conductors learn leadership skills along with high quality musicianship.
    • Military Band Musician: Bands, orchestras and chamber ensembles provide music for many different areas of the military. With great salary and benefits, musicians pursuing a career in a military band have tremendous opportunities for performing, teaching and outreach.
    • Soloist: Make a living touring different venues and performing solo recitals. Capture the imagination of audiences and allow them to experience the highest quality music with your instrument.
    • Symphony Musician: Develop your musicianship to the highest level and audition for a professional symphony orchestra. Perform on your instrument all year round with other top professional musicians in an ensemble that enriches the community.

Music education can help spark a child’s imagination or ignite a lifetime of passion. When you provide a child with new worlds to explore and challenges to tackle, the possibilities are endless. Music education should not be a privilege for a lucky few, it should be a part of every child’s world of possibility. – Hillary Clinton

Teacher Pre-Certification

This music program with pre-certification program is devoted to helping students become outstanding musicians and inspiring educators.

The Music Department works closely with the Education Department to ensure students are prepared to meet all requirements for teacher certification.

Music educators are in a unique position to uplift and empower communities through their work in elementary and secondary schools. The St. Mary’s University Department of Music is committed to training these future community leaders through a rigorous program designed to help them succeed.

Graduates of the program are some of the highest achieving high school, middle school and collegiate band directors in Texas. Graduates have also earned administrative positions in school district fine arts departments.

Apprentice Conductor Program

apprentice conductor program

St. Mary’s Department of Music’s Apprentice Conductor program is a unique opportunity for students to further their conducting knowledge and gain valuable experience prior to their student teaching semesters, or in preparation to study graduate level conducting.  

Apprentice conductors work closely with Matthew Mireles, D.M.A., Director of Bands, in score study, rehearsal preparation, programming and advanced conducting techniques.

After completion of the University’s Conducting course, and under the guidance of the Director of Bands, apprentice conductors are responsible for selecting repertoire for a concert cycle, rehearsing the St. Mary’s University Wind Ensemble, String Orchestra or Concert Choir, and conducting their piece in performance. Honored music students at St. Mary’s have this privileged opportunity to grow as artists and leaders in pursuit of achieving their goals and ambitions.

Instrumental Performance

The Instrumental Performance Music Degree focuses on helping students achieve their highest level of musicianship as performers. Along with the music major and liberal arts coursework, performance majors focus on private study with St. Mary’s world-renowned instrumental faculty members, as well as performances in the high-quality ensembles on campus.

In addition to the rigorous program on campus, St. Mary’s students have the unique opportunity of being connected with the San Antonio live performance scene through our network of distinguished faculty and alumni.

Ensembles

St. Mary’s University offers a wide variety of vocal and instrumental ensembles and bands.

  • Chapel Choir
  • Concert Choir
  • Opera Workshop
  • Brass Ensemble
  • Concert Band
  • Flute Ensemble
  • Guitar Ensemble
  • Jazz Combo
  • Jazz Orchestra
  • Percussion Ensemble
  • Rattler Band
  • String Ensemble
  • Woodwind Ensemble
More about Ensembles

Faculty

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We’re eager to hear from you and answer any questions you have! Feel free to reach out to learn more about St. Mary’s University.

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