Prepare for a faith-filled career. The music in faith minor at the University of St. Thomas equips you with the skills you need for musical leadership in communities of faith.
Music in faith combines the love of music and spiritual convictions in a practical way. You will complete a diverse array of courses focusing on music and theology, participate in the St. Thomas Liturgical Choir and apply what you have learned through an internship. You graduate prepared to lead a faith-filled career in music ministry.
You will complete courses in piano and aural skills, music theory, conducting, music and theology history, performance studies, and internships. You can choose your electives based on your particular area of interest.
You can pair this minor with a number of other programs, so we recommend connecting with a member of our faculty to plan your degree early on in your college career at the University of St. Thomas.
Minor in Music in Faith
Music students are engaged in the community through a wide variety of internships, ensembles, international travel and the department’s Harmony Crew program. Harmony Crew performs at facilities serving traditionally marginalized communities.
You will complete courses in piano and aural skills, music theory, conducting, music and theology history, performance studies, and internships. You can choose your electives based on your particular area of interest.
You can pair this minor with a number of other programs, so we recommend connecting with a member of our faculty to plan your degree early on in your college career at the University of St. Thomas.
Minor in Music in Faith
Music students are engaged in the community through a wide variety of internships, ensembles, international travel and the department’s Harmony Crew program. Harmony Crew performs at facilities serving traditionally marginalized communities.
Faculty are excellent musicians and scholars. Your peers will challenge you to think about music differently. Alumni are taking their skills and knowledge into their everyday work and making a difference in the workplace and world around them.
Chris Kachian is a professor of music and the program adviser for the music in faith minor. He has performed in the Italy, Jordan, Greece, United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, France, Sweden, Russia, Africa, Cuba, Costa Rica, Japan, China and throughout North and South America, as recitalist, chamber musician and in concerto soloist.
Rebekah completed two internships during the summer of 2019 with Children's/Youth Ministry at two Catholic parishes in Rochester, Minnesota. She had the opportunity to work with middle and high school students while helping with preparations for the upcoming school year. In addition to her internships, Rebekah traveled with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble to Morocco, Spain and Portugal in January of 2019.
Kellen graduated with a double major in liturgical music and Catholic studies in 2011, and again in 2017 with his master's degree in Catholic studies. He currently works as the Director of Liturgy and Music at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Hastings, Minnesota. He also gives workshops, seminars and talks on Catholic culture and music, and its relevance to spiritiful life in the 21st century.
We will provide you with the academic knowledge and practical skills you need to be successful in a variety of careers after graduation.
We offer renewable competitive and performance-based scholarships for four years of study at St. Thomas. More information is on our department website.
The Music Major Scholarships range from $1,500 to $10,000 per year. Admitted students planning to major in music, music performance, music business or music education are encouraged to apply. Supporting materials are due by February 1, and selected applicants receive an audition invitation for the scholarship invitational in the spring.
This award is available to any current St. Thomas student demonstrating great potential in their ability to instigate and sustain artistic creativity through music performance, composition or production. Music faculty can nominate any candidate.
This scholarship is available to any current St. Thomas student pursuing a major or minor in music. You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need. Music faculty can nominate candidates, and students participating in ensembles receive preference.
Chris is a professor of music and the program adviser for the music in faith minor.
David is the Director of Liturgical Music at the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity.
Matthew is the Director of the St. Thomas Liturgical Choir.
Develop musical skills for serving communities of faith professionally and personally.
Understand music's role in faith, ritual and spirituality in cultural context and practice.
Apply your knowledge and skills in an internship setting.
Our students have unique opportunities to develop needed skills and knowledge for the next chapter of their lives.
The Liturgical Choir is a select SATB ensemble whose principal purpose is to serve the music ministry in the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas. In addition to performing twice a month in liturgy, the Liturgical Choir performs in the Christmas concert.
St. Thomas is home to five quality pipe organs, including four-tracker organs. These instruments support the musical worship in three major chapels on the St. Paul campus, and the St. Thomas More Chapel at the Law School in Minneapolis. Together these organs serve as a rich and inspiring resource to the University by serving as teaching, accompanying and performing instruments for music students, faculty and ensembles, and as a locus for music concerts that provide invaluable cultural benefits to the Twin Cities community and beyond.
You will have unique opportunities throughout your undergraduate career to develop needed skills for the next chapter of your life.
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.