Music: Alma College

Hit your highest notes with us!

Alma College is a great place for musicians.

Whether you have professional ambitions or you just love to play and sing, there is a spot for you in one of Alma’s fine ensembles.

You have opportunities to perform on campus and to tour across Michigan, the United States and around the world. You can study with experienced professors who are professional performers and respected scholars.

Musicians here practice on Steinway pianos, work with the most current audio technology, give concerts and recitals in the Heritage Center for the Performing Arts, and rehearse and practice in the Eddy Music Building (below). Facade of the new Eddy Music Building Lobby

Summer Music

Annual Percussion Workshop for 26 budding musicians. In July, the Music Department runs an annual Percussion Workshop for 26 budding musicians. Eight Alma College students serve as instructors and mentors.

Percussion Ensemble Impresses

The Alma College Percussion Ensemble at the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival. The Alma College Percussion Ensemble performed on February 25 at the 59th annual Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival. The ensemble received a Division I score from all five judges. Awards for “Outstanding Soloist” were given to Shanley Dorn and Zavien Stickler.

Ending the Term with Great Music

The Alma Choir, Chorale and Alma Acapella performed the annual Festival of Carols. The Alma Symphony Orchestra.

The Alma Chamber Orchestra The Alma Orchestra.

The Percussion Ensemble Alma College Percussion ensemble.

Alma Choir Places First in Ireland Alma College Choir in Ireland.

The Alma Choir won two first place awards at the Navan Choral Festival in Ireland this past May. The Choir’s 17-day Ireland tour included performances in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. At the Navan Festival, the Alma Choir was named winner of the Mixed Choir competition and winner of the Popular Music Choir competition, and was awarded 2nd place in the National Choir of the Year competition.

Congratulations to the Alma College Pipe Band, winning its fourth consecutive United States Pipe Band Championship at the Highland Games in Alma on May 31!

Upcoming Events

Recent Stories

KMB Closes Season with ‘Lord of the Rings’

Annual indoor show includes performances by the marching band, pipe band, drumline and color guard.
Percussion Ensemble Performs ‘Sacrificial Rite’ and More

“I like to program pieces that provide variety and are engaging for the audience. The pieces also must provide a musical challenge and growth for my students. These selections do this.” — Dave Zerbe
Alma Symphony Orchestra Opens 60th Season

Concert program features Mozart’s timeless “Solemn Vespers” and Dvorak’s joyful Eighth Symphony.

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For More Information

Murray Gross
Music Chair
gross@alma.edu
(989) 463-7119

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Congratulations to Rachel Nemeth, B.M., who was one of four students to be awarded the Kapp Prize for her outstanding presentation during the college-wide Honors Day. Her presentation, “Belonging Here, There and Nowhere: Experiences and Education of Third Culture Kids,” examined the challenges, experiences and education of children who spend a significant period of their developmental years in a culture outside their parents’ cultures.

Alma College student Rachel Dobyns spent a month at the Kigali International Community School in ...

During a spring term, Rachel Dobyns (B.M.Ed.) spent a month at the Kigali International Community School in Rwanda. Teaching classes and leading ensembles, Rachel put into practice what she learned in music and education classes at Alma College. KICS has students from thirty countries, a diversity that let Rachel experience other cultures. “I did more things outside of my comfort zone at once than I have ever done, and I developed my professional and personal skills. I would not change or trade this experience for anything.” In 2015, Rachel Nemeth (B.M.Ed.) worked there. “The experience taught me independence as an educator and confirmed my decision to pursue international teaching after college.” Watch her story:

Elliot Bates performing during the Percussion show.

Elliot Bates (B.M. in Percussion Performance) was among the recent graduates to give a senior recitals. Others were: Anthony Audia, percussion; Tyler Braun, voice; Phillip Commissaris, oboe; Samantha Grace, flute; Tyler Larson, trombone; and Austin Rodriguez, guitar.