New Student Orientation Information 2024-2025

FIRST YEAR STUDENTS

Students who submitted the Music Interest Form have received audition information (day and time) through their St. Olaf email from the Music Department. Please contact Barbara Barth with any questions.

ENSEMBLES

First-Year students are welcome to audition for:

• St. Olaf Band
  (meets Monday 3:15–4:45 p.m., Tuesday 4:30–6 p.m., and Thursday 4:50–6:15 p.m.)
• Norseman Band
  (meets Monday 4:50–6 p.m., Wednesday and Friday 4:30–6 p.m.)
• St. Olaf Orchestra
  (meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 4:30–6 p.m.)
• St. Olaf Philharmonia
  (meets Tuesday 3:15–5:15 p.m. and Thursday 3:45–5:45 p.m.)
• Manitou Singers
  (first–year soprano and alto voices; meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 3:15–4:15 p.m.)
• Viking Chorus
  (first-year tenor and bass voices; meets Monday and Wednesday 4:30–5:30 p.m., and Thursday 4:50–5:50 p.m.)
• Collegiate Chorale
  (soprano and alto voices only, no audition required; meets Tuesday 6–7 p.m.)
• Collegium Musicum (see details below)
  (meets Tuesday 6–8 p.m.)
• Jazz Ensembles (see details below)
  (two ensembles, meets Mondays and Wednesdays:  Jazz I – 7-9 p.m., Jazz II – 9-10p.m.)
• Handbell Choirs (see details below)
  (St. Olaf Handbell Choir: Tuesday 3:45–4:55 PM and Sunday 8–9:15 PM/Chapel Ringers: Tuesday 5:05–6:15 PM)

TRANSFER STUDENTS

May audition for all of the above (except Manitou Singers and Viking Chorus), plus

• St. Olaf Choir (MTWF 4:30 – 6 p.m. and Thursday 4:50 – 6:15 p.m.)
• St. Olaf Cantorei (meets Tuesdays, 3:10-4:20 p.m., Wednesdays, 4:15-5:20 p.m., and Thursdays, 3:50-4:50 p.m.)
• St. Olaf Chapel Choir (meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 3:10–4:15 p.m.).
• Chamber Singers
  (meets Tuesday, 3:10 p.m.–4:20 p.m. and Thursday, 3:45–4:45 p.m.)

Read more about Ensemble Auditions here: (https://wp.stolaf.edu/music/incoming-audition-information/)

JAZZ AUDITION INFORMATION

There are two jazz bands (Jazz I & II) that are open to all musicians, regardless of experience or skill level.

Auditions for all groups will begin on Saturday of NSO weekend. More information can be found here.  Feel free to contact Dr. Joseph Jefferson if you have questions.

HANDBELL CHOIRS AUDITION INFORMATION

More information will be posted here closer to NSO weekend.  A sign-up sheet for auditions will be posted outside of CHM 101.

For more information, contact Prof. Jill Mahr.

COLLEGIUM MUSICUM INFORMATION

Students who are interested in joining Collegium Musicum are invited to attend the Collegium Open House which will be held the Tuesday after classes begin at 7:00 p.m. in Fosnes (CHM 233).

An interest sign-up sheet will be posted outside of CHM 101.

You can learn more about Collegium Musicum at https://wp.stolaf.edu/collegium.

For more information, contact Prof. Dana Maeda.

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE INFORMATION

Students interested in joining Percussion Ensemble should contact Prof. Matt McClung.

There will be a mandatory meeting for incoming music majors on the Tuesday before classes begin at 8 AM in CHM233 (Fosnes), with Tracey Engleman (Music Department vice-chair) and others. This meeting will provide general information about the department, degrees offered, and other details, plus some fun and prizes!

Meet music education faculty member Leigh Ann Garner to learn about Music Ed program options, expectations for admission to the major, and degree requirements, at 9:00 am on Tuesday before classes begin in CHM 233 (Fosnes) immediately following the first-year music major meeting

Please contact Faith Kimbrell, Instrument Coordinator (CHM 123) to be assigned an instrument and/or locker. Instrument and locker requests will only be filled for students enrolled in official St Olaf music ensembles or St Olaf music lessons.

Are you undecided, looking to add a music major to your current major, or interested in changing majors? Additionally, we encourage you to  email Dr. Tracey Engleman and Lisa McDermott so we can help you get on the right track!

If you are considering a music major, be sure to register for Music 112 in the fall semester of your first year.  If you scored a 5 on the AP Music Theory test, please contact Dr. David Castro (dcastro@stolaf.edu) when you get to campus for placement in the appropriate theory class.