Perform Music at Alma

Opportunities to perform music are abundant at Alma College:

  • The Alma College Choirs — Three large choirs — Alma College Choir, Women’s and Men’s Glee Clubs, and College Chorale, plus several small student-led ensembles — feature a membership of more than 180 students who perform a combination of sacred and secular music on campus and on national and international tours. Read more.

  • Festival of Choirs

  • The Alma College Kiltie Marching and Concert Bands — Dressed in full Scottish regalia, the Kiltie Marching Band brings festivity and school pride to football games and other college events. As the College’s Concert Band, this group performs on campus and tours in alternate years.

  • Kiltie Marching Band

  • The Alma Symphony Orchestra — Drawing talented musicians from the College and the local community, the Orchestra presents four concerts each year and frequently features guest conductors and artists.

  • Alma Symphony Orchestra

  • The Alma Percussion Ensemble — This popular performance group has established itself as one of the premier ensembles of its kind in the Midwest. It includes the Classical Chamber Group, Jazz Percussion and Steel Drum Band, and the World Music Group.

  • Percussion Ensemble

  • The Alma Jazz Ensemble — This ensemble performs fall and winter concerts and special events. This exciting group of instrumentalists and vocalists performs the great jazz standards.

  • Other Music Opportunities — Many other musical groups organized by students and faculty provide creative outlets for student musicians.


Ray Riley and student in piano lab

Dr. Raymond Riley and student in the music department's piano lab

Alma’s music program offers vocal and instrumental musicians the opportunity to strengthen technique, explore music in its social and historical context and take part in a rich variety of tours and performances.

Alma College offers three music degrees:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Music
  • Bachelor of Music in Performance
  • Bachelor of Music Education

Each degree program features opportunities for both vocalists and instrumentalists. Alma’s music degree programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

 

In the 125 years since its founding, Alma has stayed true to its roots by keeping its Scottish heritage alive. Today, Alma features a marching band clad in kilts, a Scottish dance troupe, a competitive pipe band and its own tartan. Each year, the College hosts the Alma Highland Festival and Games, which feature traditional Scottish games and revelry.

 

Leadership Profile

30 Hour Famine

30 Hour Famine

Students at Alma College are starving to make a difference. They organized the 30 Hour Famine, an international youth movement sponsored by World Vision International, to raise money for food, clean water and other resources for impoverished people in developing countries. The students fasted for 30 hours to experience the hunger that a billion people in the world experience daily.