Music - Instrumental - St. Mary's University

Options

Credit Minor

Degree

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

School

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Department

Department of Music

Contact

Matthew Mireles, D.M.A.

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

Degree Plans
Students can choose from three options in Instrumental Music:

Bachelor of Arts in Music – Instrumental

Bachelor of Arts in Music – Instrumental with Teacher Pre-Certification

Minor in Music

A Vocal Music major is also available, as well as music ensembles that accept both music majors and non-music majors.
Music Courses

Coursework includes study on your instrument with our world-renowned faculty, as well as courses in music theory, music history, ear training, conducting, instrumental fundamentals courses and music education.

The music program is highly customized, tailored to each student’s unique talents and career goals. Please see the catalog for the most up-to-date course information and degree plans:

Course Catalog

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

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

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.