Top 10
Minneapolis ranks in the top 10 most creatively vital cities in the United States with creative sectors generating $4.5 billion each year.
Popular Music
We teach you more than how to make a catchy song. The popular music minor at the University of St. Thomas gives you with the fundamental skills and performance experiences to launch a successful career in contemporary music.
Why Study Popular Music at St. Thomas?
Our curriculum combines individual instruction with performance in ensembles in a variety of popular music and genres such as rock, R&B, blues, jazz and Latin. You learn what is needed to arrange, record and produce music while developing a strong knowledge in instrumental and vocal techniques, music theory and songwriting.
Going Back to Your Roots
Course Requirements
You learn how to be a musician by focusing on the fundamental elements of popular music, transitioning to courses exploring songwriting and composition. You then choose from a variety of courses focusing on the history of various genres of music, how to arrange music and more. The best part? You gain practical performance experience by participating in one of our award-winning ensembles.
Four-Year Plan
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.
Degrees Awarded
Minor in Popular Music
Internship Opportunities
Popular music minors have an abundance of internships available to them. Our students have interned with companies like Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, iHeartMedia, Egg Music, Sony Music Entertainment and Tinderbox Music. You will work closely with faculty on finding an internship that suits your interests.
Course Requirements
Course Requirements
You learn how to be a musician by focusing on the fundamental elements of popular music, transitioning to courses exploring songwriting and composition. You then choose from a variety of courses focusing on the history of various genres of music, how to arrange music and more. The best part? You gain practical performance experience by participating in one of our award-winning ensembles.
Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan
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.
Degrees Awarded
Degrees Awarded
Minor in Popular Music
Internship Opportunities
Internship Opportunities
Popular music minors have an abundance of internships available to them. Our students have interned with companies like Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, iHeartMedia, Egg Music, Sony Music Entertainment and Tinderbox Music. You will work closely with faculty on finding an internship that suits your interests.
Faculty With Real Experience
Our faculty are accomplished musicians and scholars, performing in various venues and winning awards for their contributions to the music industry.
Brian Casey '05
Brian is a multi-instrumentalist musician, composer, producer and recipient of the 2012 ASCAP Film and TV Music award. He is creative director and senior composer at In the Groove Music, a commercial and television music house. He has composed for dozens of national campaigns and brands, including ESPN, BMW, Coca-Cola, Enterprise Rental Car and HealthPartners. He has worked with artists like Blue Blazer, Man is Doomed, Becky Sheehan and Glorious Monster.
Dr. Steve Cole
Dr. Cole has performed at venues like JVC, the Blue Note Jazz Festival, the Hollywood Bowl, the Chicago Symphony Center and more. Initially classically-trained, he has performed as a soloist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the age of 18. He also serves as the director of the music business program at St. Thomas.
Unique Opportunities Inside and Outside of the Classroom
A popular music minor from the University of St. Thomas will cultivate your musical abilities while fostering a robust knowledge of the music industry.
Award-Winning
Faculty are innovating in the field, winning awards for their musical and scholarly contributions to the industry.
Robust Portfolio and Network
You will build your own portfolio and a strong professional network throughout your undergraduate career at St. Thomas.
Career Paths
We will provide you with the academic knowledge and practical skills to be successful in a variety of careers after graduation.
- Lyricist
- Recording artist
- Studio musician
- Music producer
- Digital content producer
- Commercial composer
Scholarships
Music Major Scholarship
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.
Loftus Family Alternative Music Creativity Award
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.
Mary O. Petra Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Music
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.
See Another Side
Our students have unique opportunities to see another side of the music industry they have never seen before.
Gain Real-World Skills
The Music Industry Club traveled to Austin to be a part of the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival.
Get Involved
Each year, KUST hosts a sampler release party featuring a mix of music from a diverse array of genres.
Ready for the Next Chapter
Whether it is your internship or one-on-one interactions with professors, our program will prepare you with a variety of tools needed in the modern workplace.
Learn the Process
We offer a recording studio to let you deepen your knowledge of the composition and production processes involved in the music industry.
Take the Next Step
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.