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Music

Intro

Live stage experiences at concerts and recitals pair with foundational classroom-based instruction to prepare you for a rewarding and creative career in the music industry. You can seamlessly transfer into a bachelor’s degree program in music if you want to further your studies.

Degrees

Music

Degree:

Associate of Fine Arts (AFA)

Location:

Fergus Falls Campus

Credits:

Overview

Program Overview

Pursue a rewarding and creative career in the music industry, such as musical performance, composition, music education and music therapy, with the educational foundation this Associate of Fine Arts degree program provides. As a student in this program, you’ll have access to our instrumental and choral rehearsal hall, music composition computer lab, piano studios and Steinway performance grand piano, and Bechstein rehearsal grand piano, and you’ll perform under the direction of nationally-distinguished music directors.

Musical experiences open to students in the program include: national and international travel, a jazz extravaganza, musical theatre, recitals, and field trips to fine arts events.

You'll learn

Technical proficiency and interpretive competency with your chosen instrument
The cultural and historical development of music
Technical and compositional analysis of written music
How to articulate an informed personal reaction to music study
How to interpret and perform a variety of musical styles within a collaborative context
The role of technology in the musical arts

Related Programs

You may also be interested in our Art Transfer Pathway and Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts and Sciences Transfer Pathway.

Scholarships/Cost

M State has one of the lowest tuition rates in Minnesota, and thanks to grants, scholarships and sponsorships, more than half of all M State students have a completely tuition-free experience.

Learn all about our low tuition rates and fees at Detailed Cost. To explore financial aid options, visit Paying for College. We also offer Zero Textbook Cost programs and courses, which can save you substantial money on books; learn more at Z-Degrees.

Foundation Scholarships

M State's two foundations award more than $280,000 in student scholarships each year. You may be eligible — learn more at Foundations.

Workforce Development Scholarships

More than 40 programs at M State offer Workforce Development Scholarships to new students. See if your program is eligible and apply at Workforce Development Scholarships.

Business and Industry Sponsorships

M State collaborates with local businesses to offer valuable student support, such as financial assistance, internships, part-time jobs and full-time career opportunities. Find details at Business and Industry Partner Sponsorships.

Sample Classes

MUSC1119 - Intro to Hip-Hop

Credits:

3 (3/0/0)

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 6 and 7. This survey course for the general college student introduces the elements, structural designs, culture and historical styles of hip-hop music. Students explore how the music is made and learn about the origins of hip-hop culture.

MUSC1120 - Introduction to Music Technology

Credits:

3 (3/0/0)

Meets MnTC Goal Area 6. This course introduces the principal topics of music technology: acoustics, computers, MIDI, digital audio, and tools for music production and scoring. Hands-on experience will be used extensively to enhance understanding. This course will serve as a springboard to further study and exploration of hardware and software tools for music creation.

Meet the Faculty

James Iverson

Music Faculty

james.iverson@minnesota.edu

Laura Quaintance

Music Faculty

laura.quaintance@minnesota.edu

Jeffrey Sands

Music Faculty

jeffrey.sands@minnesota.edu

Student Stories

Meet James

"M State gave me a safe place to explore all genres of the arts, and I graduated knowing I had the skills to pursue the arts as a career."

Read James's story

Additional Details

The Associate of Fine Arts degree in Music makes it possible for you to seamlessly transfer into related bachelor's degree programs at Southwest Minnesota State University or Minnesota State University Moorhead. Learn more at Southwest Minnesota State University Articulation Agreement and Minnesota State University Moorhead BA in Music & Performance. Many other institutions will also accept M State credits for transfer, in part or in full.

There are many advantages of beginning your postsecondary studies at M State, including cost savings due to our low tuition rate and smaller class sizes with personalized instruction. Learn more at Transfer Programs and Pathways.

Buy Tickets for Fine Arts Events

Tickets for upcoming performances may be purchased through the M State Ticket Office.

Music

Program Overview

Scholarships/Cost

Sample Classes

Meet the Faculty

Student Stories

Additional Details

Get Started at M State!