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Department of Music • Northfield, Minnesota
Quick Take
St. Olaf College in Northfield integrates Lutheran heritage with world-renowned choral and classical traditions, famed for its beloved Christmas Festival broadcast and internationally touring ensembles. The department is among the most celebrated in American choral music, with extraordinary ensemble culture, strong merit aid, and a residential campus community where musical participation is central to the St. Olaf experience.
St Olaf at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | St Olaf College Department of Music |
| Setting | private |
| Program Size | medium |
| Genres / Styles | choral, classical, folk, jazz, sacred, Scandinavian |
| Primary Instrument | bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice |
| Areas of Study | church music, composition, conducting, ethnomusicology, music education, performance |
| Musical Selectivity | selective |
| Admissions | |
| Academic Selectivity | selective |
| Average GPA | 3.8 |
| Application Deadline | Nov 1 (ED) | Jan 15 (regular) |
| Auditions | |
| Audition | is required |
| Audition Competitiveness | competitive |
| Audition Window | Jan–Mar |
| Prescreening | is not required |
| Location | |
| City / State | Northfield, Minnesota |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the St Olaf website
.
Program Overview
The music program at St Olaf is medium in size and a .
Music Genre/Style Strengths
St Olaf supports the following musical genres/styles: choral, classical, folk, jazz, sacred, Scandinavian. At some schools, students can explore multiple styles while developing strong technical and artistic foundations within their primary genre.
Visit the St Olaf website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at St Olaf can pursue study across a range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students study privately with faculty on their primary instrument while participating in ensembles and collaborative performances.
Visit the St Olaf website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at St Olaf
Students at St Olaf can pursue degrees focused on church music, composition, conducting, ethnomusicology, music education, performance. Music degree programs typically combine private instruction, ensemble participation, music theory coursework, and performance opportunities designed to prepare students for careers in music.
Visit the St Olaf website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at St Olaf is selective. Academically, it is selective, with accepted students having an average GPA of 3.8. (Unlike academic programs, music admissions typically emphasize performance and artistic potential.) The application deadline for St Olaf is Nov 1 (ED) | Jan 15 (regular) of each year.
Visit the Shenandoah website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is required at St Olaf, and the school's auditions are considered to be competitive. The audition window is Jan–Mar of each year. A pre-screening video or portfolio is not required.
Visit the St Olaf website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
St. Olaf sits on a hilltop in Northfield, a small Minnesota town with an almost mythic choral culture, where the St. Olaf Choir's global reputation makes the campus a pilgrimage site for choral music.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St Olaf hard to get into?
Admission to St Olaf is considered selective for music and selective academically. At most schools, the audition carries significant weight. Admitted students need to demonstrate performance ability and artistic potential in addition to meeting academic requirements.
Do I need a prescreening video to audition at St Olaf?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission at St Olaf.
Prescreening requirements vary significantly from school to school, and sometimes by instrument or area of study, so it's worth checking directly with the admissions office to confirm what's expected for your specific application.
What instruments can I study at St Olaf?
supports study across a wide range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students typically study privately with a faculty member on their primary instrument while also participating in ensembles and collaborative performance opportunities.
Instrument availability and faculty depth can vary. If you play something less common, it's worth reaching out to the department directly to confirm faculty availability before you apply.
What GPA do I need for St Olaf?
Admitted students at St Olaf have an average GPA of 3.8. Keep in mind that this is an average. Some admitted students come in above it, some below, depending on the strength of the overall application and, especially, the audition.
Music programs tend to weigh audition performance heavily, which means a particularly strong musical candidate may be admitted even if their GPA is below the typical range. The reverse is also true. Academic strength alone won't compensate for a weak audition.
What is the application deadline for St Olaf?
The application deadline for St Olaf is Nov 1 (ED) | Jan 15 (regular), with live auditions typically held Jan–Mar. These dates can shift year to year, so it's important to verify directly with the admissions office well in advance.
Music school deadlines often arrive earlier than general college application deadlines, and audition slots can fill up quickly, especially at competitive programs. Getting your application in early is rarely a bad idea.
Information on this page is updated periodically. Always confirm details directly with the school's admissions office.
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