Music continues during spring at St. Olaf College
For many, music and St. Olaf College are practically synonymous. Nearly a third of all students participate in our world-class music ensembles, and between concerts and rehearsals, you’ll often hear music playing from somewhere on the Hill as you walk across campus. However, since Oles have returned to campus, making music at St. Olaf looks far different than it did before the pandemic hit in Spring 2020.
Thanks to stringent safety measures and the extraordinary efforts of our students, faculty, and staff, our music ensembles were able to resume rehearsing and recording in Fall 2020 — and we’re proud to share that music has continued on campus this spring. We look forward to presenting 10 new concert recordings online in April and May.
These fresh concert recordings of individual ensembles will be available on the St. Olaf website following their scheduled release date and time. Additionally, we are presenting three showcase concerts that demonstrate the breadth of talent from across our orchestras, bands, and choirs. All three showcase concerts will feature a live chat function so friends and family can come together and enjoy the work of these student musicians.
Showcase Concert Streaming Dates
- St. Olaf Orchestral Showcase (St. Olaf Orchestra and St. Olaf Philharmonia) | Sunday, April 11, at 3:30 p.m. CT
- St. Olaf Concert Band and Jazz Band Showcase (St. Olaf Band, Norseman Band, Jazz 1, and Jazz Combo I) | Sunday, April 25, at 3:30 p.m. CT
- St. Olaf Spring Choral Showcase (St. Olaf Choir, St. Olaf Cantorei, St. Olaf Chapel Choir, Collegiate Chorale, Manitou Singers, Viking Chorus) | May 9, at 3:30 p.m. CT
Ensemble Spring Concert Streaming Dates
- Collegium Musicum | Friday, May 14, at 7 p.m. CT
- St. Olaf Handbell Choirs | Sunday, May 16, at 3:30 p.m. CT
- St. Olaf Orchestra | Sunday, May 23, at 3:30 p.m. CT
- St. Olaf Chamber Singers | Sunday, May 23, at 7 p.m. CT
- Norseman Band and St. Olaf Philharmonia |Friday, May 28, at 7 p.m. CT
- St. Olaf Jazz I, II, and Jazz Combo | Saturday, May 29, at 7 p.m. CT
- St. Olaf Band | Monday, May 31, at 7 p.m. CT
None of these performances would be possible without the safety protocols set in place by the college and the extraordinary efforts of our students, faculty, and staff.
Campus safety precautions for music ensembles include:
- Rehearsals limited to 30 minutes
- Thirty-minute breaks between rehearsal blocks for air ventilation
- Rehearsal group size limited to the ventilation requirements of the space
- Singers and wind and brass players at least 9 feet apart
- String players and percussionists at least 6 feet apart
- Masks must be worn covering the nose and mouth
- Modified masks with a flap must be worn by all brass and woodwind players
- Brass and woodwind instruments were fitted with bell coverings
- Musicians must bring their own music stands
- Disinfecting chairs and equipment between uses
There were many obstacles to overcome before music ensembles could safely return to rehearsing in-person at St. Olaf. But with a campus-wide focus on health and a common dedication to safety, the healing power of music has managed to continue.