Gustavus Adolphus College

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Departments

Ensemble Touring Schedule

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Gustavus Symphony Orchestra
Gustavus Wind Orchestra
The Gustavus Choir
Gustavus Jazz Lab Band
Choir of Christ Chapel

Contact

Lisa Westphal
Manager of Music Tours
800 West College Avenue
St. Peter, MN 56082
(507)933-7163

Mission

The mission of the Department of Music at Gustavus Adolphus College is two-fold:

to provide a rigorous and innovative music curriculum (Music at Gustavus), and
to promote the idea of building a more beautiful world through music (Music from Gustavus)

"Music from Gustavus" represents a commitment to provide unique musical experiences that promote the College as a national liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and broaden the scope and effect of the study of music on campus. This commitment is met by scheduling regional, national, and international performances, often in cooperation with other areas of the College. Music ensemble tours frequently include companion courses to augment the educational experience by focusing on the history and culture of the people and places visited.

Department of Music Touring Philosophy

The tradition of concert touring by the music ensembles at Gustavus Adolphus College was established as early as 1878 for the musical, artistic and educational benefit of the student members. Concert touring provides an opportunity to perform a concert program numerous times, fostering a deeper artistic understanding and expression of the music. It develops high levels of musical discipline and artistic integrity and allows the musicians to experience a variety of acoustic environments and widely diverse audience and ensemble dynamics.

Concert touring encourages the development of professional attitudes necessary to perform at a consistently high level and provides opportunities to experience diverse cultures, both domestic and international, through the music performed and experiences planned as a part of each tour. Touring teaches interpersonal skills and team building, which come from a variety of shared experiences.

Concert touring reaches beyond the musician and the ensemble, enhancing the public image of the College. The music and the musicians provide a "product of excellence" for the audience and an outreach to the many constituencies of the College, ranging from our alumni, parents, and friends to those persons associated with the College through the offices of Admission, Church Relations, and Advancement. The tours provide an opportunity to develop new relationships and visibility, as well as to reactivate, strengthen, and celebrate existing connections to Gustavus and its students.

Extended domestic and international tours include a unique feature at Gustavus. These tours are combined with a specially designed companion course to provide an interdisciplinary perspective for the students, develop increased cultural awareness, promote a more diverse student body, and build cross-cultural bridges.