Performance Areas
Performing music is an experience unlike any other.
Students at UND are given the opportunity to perform using a variety of instruments. Whether your specialty is with a violin or a flute, UND's experienced faculty members will provide you with the instruction you need to bring out the best of the performer in you.
Brass
The UND Brass Area offers outstanding instruction from world-class faculty. Brass students at UND are provided the opportunity to perform in a variety of chamber ensembles, and frequently travel to national and international conferences and musical events. Brass artists of international reputation are brought to campus on a regular basis.
Recent guest artists include the St. Louis Brass, Dallas Brass, Tine Thing Helseth, Bobby Shew, Ken Shiffrin, Brian Bowman, and Øystein Baadsvik. Past UND brass students have enjoyed much success in their chosen musical discipline, including careers as performers, educators, and music therapists.
Find out more about our UND Brass
Guitar
The Guitar Studio, under the direction of Thomas Anderson, offers all of the necessary knowledge and techniques of the guitar to begin a successful career in music. Our guitar students receive training as soloists as well as performance with instrumentations ranging from duets to orchestral settings.
Percussion
Percussion studies area at UND is led by Dr. Brian Pfeifer. Our program uses a diverse approach to help students achieve their career goals. If you have questions about joining is, please feel free to contact Dr. Pfeifer at 701.777.2819 or brian.pfeifer@UND.edu.
Studio Lessons
The goal of the Percussion Studio is to teach each student a solid foundation on all of the instruments, such as; snare drum, marimba, timpani, accessories, drum set and World Percussion.
Lessons are focused on each individual's students' needs and talent. The goal is to help them become a better musician no matter what music degree they decide on. Each student is also encouraged to share their expertise to help each other in the studio reach their goal. This has been the philosophy of this studio for years.
Many students have gone to receive their DMA's or Master's degrees in Performance and are teaching in universities and community colleges throughout the country. Many others are enjoying teaching Music Education in elementary, middle and high schools throughout the United States, and we also have several who are enjoying working as Music Therapists.
Visiting Artists
We have had several artists in residence in the past 30 years. Here is just a small list:
- Gordon Stout
- Brett Dietz
- Ruben Alvarez
- John Tafoya
- Tempus Fugit
- Gordy Knudtson
- David Garabaldi
- Orlando Cotto
- Liam Teague
Piano
The UND Piano Program is nationally recognized for preparing students for a professional career in the field of music. The piano faculty have substantial experience in solo and collaborative performance with broad knowledge in music literature, music theory and piano pedagogy.
Strings
The UND Strings Area offers applied instruction in violin, viola, cello and double bass. Students from around the world participate in our undergraduate and graduate degree programs, taking part in diverse chamber ensembles groups including string quartets, piano trios and cello ensemble.
Students develop performing and listening skills through weekly studio master classes, monthly department showcases, and studio recitals. In addition, internationally distinguished guest artists visit the UND Music Department to give master classes. Recent visitors include: Ying Quartet, David Ying, Peter Howard, Leonardo Altino and Sachiya Isomura.
Voice
The goal of the Applied Voice area at UND is to train and guide students to their highest vocal potential. All members of the voice faculty are experienced performers and teachers, dedicated to the success of our students. We have over 50 voice students of the over 150 music students working towards undergraduate and graduate degrees in both classical voice and musical theater. All voice students receive weekly lessons from a faculty member.
In addition to lessons, voice students at UND have the opportunity to work with a staff voice coach or a student pianist to prepare for lessons and performances. Students perform in weekly studio classes, student showcase recitals, studio recitals, and with our major ensembles. There are also opportunities to perform in the annual opera production, with the UND chamber orchestra in the annual Opera Gala, as well as with the Grand Forks Master Chorale and other community organizations.
Additional training is offered through courses in Lyric Diction, Pedagogy, Song Literature, and Opera Workshop, which teaches stagecraft and gives stage experience to students. Students can also sing in Master Classes for notable professionals such as Robert Breault, Mark Calkins, John Tessier, Carol Kirkpatrick, Laura Loewen, Cynthia Lawrence, Nathan Stark, including UND alumnae, Kip Cranna, Mary Dibbern, Tammy Hensrud, and Korliss Uecker.
Voice Area Faculty
- Dr. Royce Blackburn, Baritone
- Dr. Dean Jilek, Director of Choral Activities, Choral Music Education
- Dr. Anne Christopherson, Soprano, Area Coordinator
- Melanie Popejoy, Choral Music Education
Woodwinds
The UND Woodwinds area provides outstanding instruction, preparing students for a professional career in music by developing solo, chamber, pedagogical, and entrepreneurial skills The internationally-active faculty are dedicated to providing a well-rounded education, including creating diverse performance opportunities, bringing renowned guest artists to campus, and attending festivals and conferences.