Music at Mary

Concert Choir and band at Christmas at Mary event

Do What You Love. Create With People Who Share Your Passion.

That is the essence of music at the University of Mary. Welcome.

We are a community of learners and teachers who engage the power of music to elevate our souls, to bring meaning to our lives, and to add joy and beauty to our world.

Our programs prepare you for your career in music by providing a strong foundation in private study, ensembles, and academic courses under the mentorship of accomplished faculty. Our music lessons, classes, and ensembles — from Concert Choir and Steel Band to String Ensemble and Pep Band, and everything in between — are open to all students, regardless of major.

Two string musicians playing in the Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel

Facilities

Our facilities, including Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel designed by the world-renowned architect Marcel Breuer, provide a wide range of performance, studio, lab, practice, and ensemble spaces.

Music Scholarships

Scholarships are available to incoming freshman, transfer students, music majors, and ensemble participants – and they’re often stackable with academic awards!

Saxophone player at the annual Jazz Festival

The Jazz Festival

The annual Jazz Festival brings nationally recognized jazz artists to campus every January.

A Message From the Chair

We are so pleased that you are paying a virtual visit to the Music Department at the University of Mary! We believe in you—and in the powerful successes and accomplishments that come to our UMary students. As Chair of the Music Department, it gives me great pleasure to say “Come on in, look around, and see what wonderful opportunities await!” Picture yourself here, doing what you love, studying and performing in a stimulating and collaborative learning community surrounded by faculty members and students who share your passion for music.

Our faculty and students are wonderful models of the university’s Benedictine values of hospitality, respect for persons, and community. In fact, we are a community of learners who support and encourage one another. At the same time, we challenge ourselves to be the best we can be: as individual performers, conductors, members of ensembles, servants of liturgical song, and educators. We pursue beauty and artistry as we delve into the depths of our understanding and experience of music within our classes, rehearsals, and performances.

In addition to studying with highly accomplished music faculty, you will have opportunities to take part in master classes and festival performances with world-renowned music professionals. Guest artists over the years have included the Canadian Brass, the Real Group, Jeff Jarvis, Rhythm & Brass, Helen Sung, Nestor Torres, Bethany Mamola, New York Voices, Chicago Chamber Brass, Ron Nelson and Mark Camphouse, Hannah Occeña and Emely Phelps, Eric Ruske, and Highline Vocal Jazz.

We invite you to check us out. Schedule a “day in the life of a music major” during your campus visit, so you can meet our students and faculty, rehearse with our ensembles, and take a free lesson in your area of interest. We welcome scholarship auditions during our multi-day concert events such as Christmas at Mary in December or our annual Jazz Festival in late January. We also encourage you to attend one of the hallmark concerts from the UMary Concert Band, Vocal Arts, Steel Band, String Ensemble, Gabrieli Brass, or any of our smaller chamber ensembles and recitals throughout the year.

In short, we can’t wait to meet and greet you, show you around, and invite to you experience the wonders of a UMary education that so many students have cherished for over 60 years. Just one visit—one rehearsal—one lesson—and we think you’ll see and feel the wonder of the University of Mary!

The University of Mary Music Department – creating Music for Life.

— Professor Dennis Gowen, Chair of Music

Have Questions?

We're here to help. Call the Music Department at 701-355-8301 or email us.