CSB + SJU Music Department

CSB + SJU Music Department Our Department offers opportunities to musicians from all disciplines, taught by exceptional faculty

Learn more at linktr.ee/CSBSJUMusic

Interested in singing with a welcoming community without a heavy commitment? Join All-College Choir!The All-College Choi...
08/13/2026

Interested in singing with a welcoming community without a heavy commitment? Join All-College Choir!

The All-College Choir is CSB & SJU’s non-auditioned choral ensemble! All-College Choir rehearses once a week and performs once a semester. It is directed by Dr. Christiana Howell.

There is no placement hearings for All-College Choir, and it is open to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Dr. Christiana Howell at [email protected]

Calling all CSB and SJU students with a passion for music!Join CSB and SJU music ensembles as a part of your rich colleg...
08/12/2026

Calling all CSB and SJU students with a passion for music!

Join CSB and SJU music ensembles as a part of your rich college experience and flourish with a group of like-minded people!

Instrumental performance demonstrations (Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra) are due on August 24th.
https://www.csbsju.edu/music/ensembles/instrumental-ensemble-auditions/

Choral placement hearings (Chamber Choir, Men's Chorus, Women's Choir, All-College Choir) will be held August 31st - September 2nd.
https://www.csbsju.edu/music/ensembles/choral-placement-hearings/
*No placement hearing is required to join the All-College Choir; to enroll in All-College Choir; simply register for MUSC 239.

We're excited to welcome Dr. Alex Ritchie to our Voice faculty this year!Dr. Alex Ritchie (he/him) is a singer, director...
07/07/2026

We're excited to welcome Dr. Alex Ritchie to our Voice faculty this year!

Dr. Alex Ritchie (he/him) is a singer, director, and voice teacher active throughout the Midwest, performing with Minnesota Opera, Lyric Opera of the North, Skylark Opera Theatre, Mill City Summer Opera, An Opera Theatre, Source Song Festival, and the Saint Cloud Symphony Orchestra. He was selected for the 2025 cohort of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Intern Program, and he has taught voice and musical theatre at K&S Conservatory, Stillwater Area High School, and International Music Camp. He holds degrees from Harding University (BA), University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance (MM), and University of Minnesota (DMA), where he was graduate instructor for University Opera Theatre. He now serves as Director of Education for Saint Croix Valley Opera. Alex is pleased to join the music department at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, where he teaches applied voice lessons.

Please help us welcome Dr. Ritchie to CSB+SJU!

We're glad to welcome Mary Emmons to the CSB+SJU Music Faculty this year!Mary Emmons is percussionist and educator curre...
07/07/2026

We're glad to welcome Mary Emmons to the CSB+SJU Music Faculty this year!

Mary Emmons is percussionist and educator currently based in the Greater Twin Cities Area of Minnesota where she serves on the Percussion Faculty at the MacPhail Center for Music. Mary previously served as Adjunct Professor of Percussion at St. Cloud State University. In addition to teaching privately at MacPhail, Mary is the co-director of the Rimshots! Percussion Ensemble, serves as the teaching artist for Music for Life’s Drumming for Memory Care Program, and also serves as the IVI Department Assistant. Mary holds degrees in Percussion Performance from the University of Missouri (M.M) and the University of Tennessee-Martin (B.M.). It was at UT Martin where she found her passion for pedagogy, chamber music, and African Diasporic music. Since then, Mary has had the privilege to work with master musicians from Ghana, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Trinidad & Tobago, and Cuba; commission several works from living composers; and perform with orchestras and festivals across the United States. When not teaching percussion, Mary enjoys hiking and exploring the outdoors with her partner Olivia and playing in their percussion duo LEFT / RIGHT.

Please help us welcome Mary to CSB+SJU!

Happy summer, everyone! We're excited to introduce three new adjunct faculty members in the Music Department, beginning ...
07/06/2026

Happy summer, everyone! We're excited to introduce three new adjunct faculty members in the Music Department, beginning with Dr. Dalaie Choi 🎶

Organist Dalaie Choi is an internationally active organist whose performances have taken her across the United States, Europe, and Russia. She has presented solo recitals at distinguished venues including Longwood Gardens (Pennsylvania, USA), Santa María del Coro in San Sebastián (Spain), St. Michaeliskirche and Nikolaikirche in Leipzig (Germany), the Berlin American Church, Erfurt Stadtkirche (Germany), and the Omsk Organ Hall (Russia). In 2018, she received the Minister of Culture Award in Russia.

Dr. Choi was selected as an Organ Fellow at the Oregon Bach Festival in 2015 and 2016, where she studied and performed under the mentorship of Paul Jacobs. In 2025, she was selected to participate in the Yale Sacred Music Academy summer program, where she engaged in intensive study in organ performance, sacred music, liturgy, and church music leadership. She has also performed internationally with choral ensembles, including appearances in Germany with the First Presbyterian Church Choir of Davenport, Iowa.

Dr. Choi earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Organ Performance and Pedagogy, Master of Arts degree in Music, and Church Music Certificate from the University of Iowa, studying with Dr. Gregory Hand. She also earned a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, where she studied with Jeremy Filsell and Donald Sutherland, and received the Bruce R. Eicher Prize and the James Winship Lewis Memorial Prize. She previously earned Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea.

Dr. Choi previously served as Staff Pianist at Delaware State University and currently maintains a private organ studio. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Delaware Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Her students are actively engaged in church music, performance, and music education.

Please help us welcome Dr. Choi to CSB+SJU!

There are four music events happening this week! Check out our full calendar of events at the link in our bio.
05/01/2026

There are four music events happening this week! Check out our full calendar of events at the link in our bio.

The end of the semester means LOTS of concerts and recitals! We have four for you in the next week. Check out our full c...
04/23/2026

The end of the semester means LOTS of concerts and recitals! We have four for you in the next week. Check out our full calendar of events at the link in our bio 🎶

Tickets for the May choral concert are SOLD OUT! If you didn't get a ticket, you can still watch the concert live! Check...
04/17/2026

Tickets for the May choral concert are SOLD OUT! If you didn't get a ticket, you can still watch the concert live! Check the LinkTree (in our bio) to find the livestream! The stream can also be accessed through the Music Department website.
We're excited to share this wonderful choral collaboration with you on May 1st!

We're ready for Greg Zelek & VocalEssence to fill the Abbey Church with music on Saturday 🎶 Don't miss out - get your ti...
04/08/2026

We're ready for Greg Zelek & VocalEssence to fill the Abbey Church with music on Saturday 🎶 Don't miss out - get your tickets 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲!

• • • • •

Saint John's Abbey
VocalEssence
College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University

Mark your calendars for a Faculty Organ Recital with Dr. David Jenkins! Join us on Thursday, April 23rd for a night of o...
04/02/2026

Mark your calendars for a Faculty Organ Recital with Dr. David Jenkins! Join us on Thursday, April 23rd for a night of organ repertoire featuring Transformations composed by Jessica French.

This concert will take place at 8:00 pm at the Saint John's Abbey and University Church. This event is free and AR-approved!

We hope to see you there!

Address

37 College Avenue S
Saint Joseph, MN
56374

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+13203633371

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