The MDSC is made up of two representatives from each of the sophomore, junior and senior classes of music majors. It serves as the liaison between students and Music Department faculty and administration. In addition, it sponsors several social events each year. Contact any of the representatives with your ideas, questions, and concerns.
Senior Representatives
Grace Alexander – ’23 Jack Slavik – ’23 Sam Ivory – ’23
Junior Representatives
Mariana Rogan – ’24 Eli Schrubbe – ’24
Sophomore Representatives
Hannah Leiseth ‘25 Mars Dall ‘25
Resources for Musicians
Student Organizations – see below for student-run music ensembles.
Pi Kappa Lambda is an honor society recognizing outstanding accomplishment in music. The Beta Delta chapter was founded at St. Olaf College in April 1964. Music faculty, and junior and senior students majoring in music are eligible for membership. The Music Department pays the one-time membership fee.
The ACDA at St. Olaf is an organization that works to connect and inform music educators through topic meetings, conferences, workshops, and other events. It is a student chapter of the national American Choral Director's Association. The ACDA provides opportunities for future choral directors to be directly involved with this professional choral organization while in college. Student members receive The Choral Journal and the Student Times, and enjoy full benefits of ACDA membership. Insta: @stolaf_acda Facebook: St. Olaf ACDA Student Chapter Sign up for our alias on Instagram! Faculty Advisors: Anton Armstrong (x3183) and Therees Hibbard (x3187)
Faculty Advisor: Leigh Ann Garner (x3190) The Music Educators' National Conference is a voluntary, nonprofit organization representing all phases of music education in schools, colleges, universities, and teacher-education institutions. Active MENC membership is open to all persons engaged in music teaching or other music educational work. Look for the posters and announcements about becoming a part of MENC.
Faculty Advisor: Dale Kruse (x3931) The St. Olaf Student NATS Chapter (National Association of Teachers of Singing) is intended to increase and enhance a student's knowledge and understanding of singing, pedagogy, vocal science, literature, and artistry, and to stimulate discussions that will benefit future singers and teachers of singing. Membership dues are required.
Agnes A CappellaAgnes A Cappella is St. Olaf’s treble-voiced a cappella music ensemble. Comprised of 12 upperclass singers, including vocal percussion, Agnes performs fall and spring concerts at St. Olaf.
Rehearsals: Sundays, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., and Wednesdays, 8-9:30 p.m., both in Tomson.
Performances: 1 per semester.
Social Media: Instagram
New members are chosen via an audition process at the end of each spring semester. Contact Shelby Louk for more information.
Faculty Advisor: Karen Wilkerson
Black EnsembleCreative safe space for black students to come and voice themselves through the arts; and to use this space to expand their knowledge.
Rehearsals: Thursdays, 6-7 p.m., in CHM 141
Performances: 1-2 per semester
Social Media: Instagram
New members are always welcome! Contact the executive committee for more information.
Faculty Advisor: Tesfa Wondemagegnehu
The LimestonesLimestones A Capella is a tenor/bass ensemble founded at St. Olaf in 1989. We are the oldest a capella group on campus, known for singing and arranging pop/country music styles.
Rehearsals: 3 hours per week, usually in three 1-hour rehearsals in Ytterboe Lounge or HOM usually
Performances: We perform our Fall and Spring concerts on the Lion’s Pause Mane Stage, and usually try to do other gigs around town campus and the Northfield community as well (ex., Winter Walk, Armory)
Social Media: Twitter, Instagram, website
We usually have auditions in the spring semester, before summer break. The group doesn’t have a specific size limit. Contact Tommy Krueger for more information.
Staff Advisor: Brandon Cash
Ole Ave Vocal JazzOle Ave Vocal Jazz is a 12-member vocal ensemble comprised of various majors and class years, that performs a range of music, from pieces sung a cappella to pieces accompanied by a jazz combo. Our goal is to share our passion with our surrounding community and hopefully get them swingin’ to the beat!
Rehearsals: Sundays, 2:30-4 p.m. in the Pause; Thursdays, 8-9 p.m. in CHM
Performances: 1 per semester
Social Media: Instagram
We hold auditions at the beginning of the school year. However, if group members are away on study abroad, for example, we may recruit mid-year. Contact Cecilia Dean for more information.
Faculty Advisor: Therees Hibbard
Spiritus NovusWe are a group of singers dedicated to lifting voices in community and creativity! We sing compositions by St. Olaf students and collaborate with other interdisciplinary artists on campus.
Rehearsals: Saturdays, 12:30 p.m., in CHM 224
Performances: 1 per semester
Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube
We hold auditions at the beginning of each semester. Contact Elijah Culp for more information.
Faculty Advisor: Tesfa Wondemagegnehu
Synergy Musicians’ CollectiveSynergy Musicians’ Collective is a completely student-led orchestral-based ensemble committed to creative and collaborative programming, providing opportunities for student composers, conductors, performers, and those interested in arts management opportunities. On every program, the executive board creates a concert experience that includes a student composition premiere, multiple student soloists, and other collaborative artists.
Rehearsals: Sundays, 7-8:30 p.m., in CHM 140
Performances: 1 per semester
Social Media: Instagram
There are not auditions for the group, and people can show interest via our interest form at the end of each semester for the following semester. Contact Grace Alexander for more information.
Faculty Advisor: Scott Anderson
St. Olaf TaikoTaiko (太鼓) is a form of Japanese drumming, passed down through oral and visual tradition. St. Olaf Taiko was founded in 2004 and has always been student led.
Rehearsals: Fridays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. in CAD Studio 3, Fridays 6:30-7:30 p.m. in CHM 140, and Sundays 1-3 p.m. in CHM 140
Performances: One concert per semester. We also perform at multicultural events like Lunar New Year, International Night, etc.
Social Media: Instagram, YouTube, Website
Members can join at the beginning of the fall semester by showing up to rehearsals! No musical experience is necessary. Contact Adam Martinelli for more information.
Faculty Advisor: Rehanna Kheshgi