Music Scholarships
Generous renewable music scholarships between $500–$5,000 are available for all majors.
Dr. Gerald Kreitzer, Director of Music Activities (1:43)
Music Students' Schedules (0:53)
Students About the Music Department (1:08)
Music Degree Options
We offer several music major degree options and a music minor. Our welcoming faculty and staff will also help you design a program that fits your needs.- BA in Music (Music Administration track available)
- BA in Music Education
Instrumental Ensembles
University Band is a 60-member ensemble that performs a diverse selection of high-quality wind band and chamber wind masterworks representing a variety of styles, genres, and time periods. Music majors and non-majors are eligible for music scholarships that average over $3,000 per year, with our goal to provide students with a musically rewarding experience in an all-inclusive, welcoming environment while earning a first rate education. The University Band takes an annual spring break tour that is both a service and a performance tour, visiting regional high schools and locations throughout the Midwest. The ensemble meets on Mondays from 7–8:20 PM and Wednesdays from 3:30–5 PM.
Membership into the University Band is open to all wind and percussion musicians (music majors and non-music majors) who wish to enrich their college experience by joining a community of musicians interested in performing at a high level. Participants may register for either one credit hour or no credit.
Pep Band is open to all University Band students and performs at 3–4 athletic events each year. It provides a fun and relaxed atmosphere where members perform a variety of classic and modern pop music along with the MMU Fight Song (Stand for Mercy).
Jazz Ensemble is open to all interested students to experience a variety of jazz styles though careful study of quality repertoire, engaging rehearsals, and performances representative of the highest musical standards. Ensemble rehearsals are arranged around student schedules.
Chamber Music is available to musicians of similar ability levels interested in a small ensemble experience performing quality chamber music repertoire. With one on a part, musicians learn the process of preparing music for exacting a performance—without the leadership of a conductor—and collectively develop an interpretation of the work and acquire the interpersonal skills necessary for a musician to function in a small group. Ensemble rehearsals are arranged around student schedules.
Vocal Ensembles
University Choir is a 50–60 voice ensemble that performs a wide variety of choral repertoire both on and off campus. It’s a non-audition choir open to students from all majors and disciplines, allowing anyone from the student body to participate in choral music making. The University Choir takes an annual spring break tour that is both a service and a performance tour, visiting locations such as New Orleans, New York City, and Denver. The ensemble meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30–4:45 PM.
Show Choir is a 30–40 voice performance group. Experience all the fun of show choir without the competition pressure! The group performs as a showcase choir at local show choir competitions and twice a year on campus.
Chamber/Jazz Singers is a 12–16 voice auditioned vocal chamber ensemble that sings chamber music from all ages and choral music from the jazz repertoire. The group meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30–3:20 PM.
Liturgical Singers provides music worship at Sunday mass. They meet one hour prior to the service.
2020-21 Concerts
- June 15-18—The John Armstrong Music Literacy sessions have been cancelled.
- October 11—Fall Benefit Concert w/reception, 2:30 PM, McAuley Auditorium (University Choir, University Band)
- December 3—Works in Progress Performance w/reception, 7:00 PM, McAuley Auditorium (Show Choir, Chamber/Jazz Singers, Jazz Ensemble)
- December 6—Holiday Concert w/reception, 2:30 PM, McAuley Auditorium (University Choir, University Band)
- March 14—Music in March w/reception, 2:30 PM, McAuley Auditorium (University Band, University Choir)
- May 5—Jazz, Java & Jive w/reception, 7:00 PM, McAuley Auditorium (Chamber/Jazz Singers, Show Choir and Jazz Ensemble)
- May 9—Spring Concert w/reception, 2:30 PM, McAuley Auditorium (University Choir, University Band)
Music Directors
Mount Mercy is a great place for your students to excel in their musical talents!
Private Lessons
Mount Mercy offers individual lessons for all students interested in developing their musical abilities. Lessons in piano and voice are offered year-round.
Studying piano at Mount Mercy offers many dynamic opportunities for students of all levels of experience, from the student with no prior musical training to the advanced student preparing for graduate studies in music. Every student is unique in their proficiency and goals, and the one-on-one nature of piano lessons allows the instruction to be tailored to each individual.
Individual lessons for brass, woodwind, guitar or strings instruments are also provided on an as-needed basis.
Clinics & Workshops
Mount Mercy hosts a variety of workshops, continuing education opportunities, and festivals each year, including:
- All-State Choral Workshop (August 3-5)
- All-State Woodwind & Brass Mock Audition Workshop
- John Armstrong Music Literacy Sessions (Session 1, Session 2) (June 15-18)
- Summer Music Academy