At the SOMD, we believe our graduates should be firmly rooted in fundamentals and grounded in the strength of the traditional canon, in order to grow and stretch beyond the artists who came before them. Our large, full-time, in-residence faculty foster a collaborative, dynamic laboratory in which student performers are given the tools—academic, artistic, technical, and social—to hone their craft to a professional caliber.
Ensembles at SOMD
“I have really enjoyed this opportunity [Costa Rica 2025] to explore another country and experience the culture of bands here. I got to hang out with a lot of people I hadn’t talked to before, and have made some new friends in the wind ensemble. I loved all our excursions in the city and to the waterfall reserve. My favorite memory from the trip is playing with the amazing Banda Nacional de San Jose. ¡Pura Vida!”
—Nate Kessler '26
music education
Travel with SOMD
Our school prioritizes national and international travel for our students. We believe that lessons learned on the road, when we encounter people from different backgrounds, builds resiliency, camaraderie, and awareness that cannot be duplicated in the classroom. As a result, each year, one or more of our ensembles tours to a different part of the country or world to participate in conferences, competitions, and festivals. In just the past few years, our students have participated in:
- The Cork International Choral Festival in Cork, Ireland
- The Tallinn International Choral Festival in Tallinn, Estonia
- The International Chamber Choir Competition in Marktoberdorf, Germany
- The World Symposium on Choral Music in Barcelona, Spain
- The Montreux Jazz Festival in Lake Geneva, Switzerland
- Became the first gospel ensemble to ever make a public performance tour of The People's Republic of China.
- An Opera Tour of Costa Rica
- The Metropolitan Opera National Council District and National Auditions
- The American College Dance Festival at the Kennedy Center
- The Reno Jazz Festival
- Academic track students have presented research in Germany, Sweden, Italy, China, and all over the United States and Canada.
- World Choir Games in Auckland, New Zealand
