Music

Experience Artistry within the Liberal Arts

College of Arts and Sciences

Location: Crete

Degree Type: Undergraduate

Whether you dream of performing or sharing the joy of music through teaching; as a music major at Doane University you can pursue a career in diverse fields, such as:

  • Music Education
  • Conducting
  • Performing
  • Composition
  • Accompanying
  • Music Business or Merchandising
  • Arts Management

There are approximately 200 students enrolled in Doane's Music Department. Small classes provide an intimate learning experience, and students benefit from one-on-one instruction and state-of-the-art technology. As a music student, you can join our National Association for Music Education (NAfME) chapter, become involved in our theatre productions, assist the hosting of Tiger Band High School Invitational, The Fall Festival of Winds or the Doane Vocal Festival.

All students planning to attend Doane University are invited to audition for a music scholarship. For students unable to audition for a Doane Music Scholarship in person, we are pleased to offer an alternative.

Career Paths

A music degree from Doane University prepares students for Graduate-level studies in fields such as:

  • Conducting
  • Performance
  • History and Musicology
  • Composition
  • Music Theory
  • Therapy
Courses
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Faculty & Staff
Kathleen Ohlman, Assistant Professor of Practice

Kathleen Ohlman - Assistant Professor of Practice

Icon_Phone Created with Sketch. 402.826.6734

Kurt Runestad, Professor

Kurt Runestad - Professor

Icon_Phone Created with Sketch. 402.826.8279

William Whipple III, Assistant Professor of Music

William Whipple III - Assistant Professor of Music

Icon_Phone Created with Sketch. 402.826.8282

Andrew Feyes, Assistant Professor of Music

Andrew Feyes - Assistant Professor of Music

Icon_Phone Created with Sketch. 402.826.8671

Special Programs

Every year students have the opportunity to travel as members of Doane’s elite musical organizations. The choir tours internationally every three (3) years. Both the band and choir take a major two-week tour every 3 years. Recent tours have included:

  • Arizona
  • Iowa
  • Wisconsin
  • Washington D.C.
  • Cleveland
  • Chicago
  • Dallas
  • Portland
  • Seattle
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Minnesota
  • New Mexico
  • South Dakota
Emphasis Areas
  • General
  • Performance
  • Teaching
doane collegiate choir

Student Ensembles

Collegiate Chorale

Collegiate Chorale is a non-auditioned, well-balanced choir of 55-65 voices. It performs three or four times on campus during the academic year and off-campus as well. The group includes students of diverse ages and majors. Prerequisite: none.

Doane Band Group Photo

Student Ensembles

Concert Band

The Concert Band is open to all students. Auditions for chair placement take place in the fall. Performances include two scheduled concerts per semester and participation in important college ceremony functions. Participation in the Concert Band can be used to partially fulfill the Aesthetic Perspective requirement of the Doane Plan. Prerequisite: Audition.

Doane Choir

Student Ensembles

Doane Choir

An auditioned choir of 50 voices, the Doane Choir is the university's premier choral ensemble. Returning students audition in the spring and new students audition in the fall. Membership is based on auditions and takes into consideration both musical talent and ensemble needs. Members rehearse four times a week for a total of four-and-one-half hours. Participation in the ensemble can be used for partial fulfillment of the Aesthetic Perspective requirement of the Doane Plan. The Doane Choir performs 3-4 concerts on campus annually. The choir also tours annually to a region of the United States and undertakes international tours every three years. The ensemble has received regular invitations from around the state to perform with the state's top professional orchestras and music conferences. Prerequisite: Audition.

Doane Doublewide Ensemble Photo

Student Ensembles

Doublewide

Doublewide is Doane's men's chamber ensemble. Though Doublewide sings Classical repertoire as well, their specialization is in popular styles: doo-wop, vocal jazz, gospel and barbershop. The group varies in size from 12-16 singers, depending on the year. Doublewide tours every spring with Doane's vocal jazz ensemble, Jazz Unlimited, and also performs with the Doane Choir on its annual tours. The groups performs without a conductor but rehearses with the guidance of Doane's Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Kurt Runestad. Prerequisite: Audition.

doane jazz ensemble

Student Ensembles

Jazz Ensemble

The Doane Jazz Ensemble is an ensemble that performs a variety of jazz, rock, Latin, swing and fusion styles. The jazz band is open to all students by audition or permission. The jazz band generally performs twice a semester. The possibility of travel opportunities is dependent on the performance requests the ensemble accepts. Additionally, the Jazz Ensemble often joins the Symphonic Wind Ensemble on its annual tour. Prerequisite: Audition.

jazz unlimited

Student Ensembles

Jazz Unlimited

Doane's vocal jazz ensemble, Jazz Unlimited typically has 14-16 members, and often performs with a three-piece rhythm section. The group rehearses twice a week, and sings challenging music of many styles, including standard and contemporary jazz, swing, Latin, ballads, and pop/rock arrangements, both a capella and with a rhythm section. Highly competitive auditions for the group occur each fall. Membership in the ensemble is a year-long commitment. Annual performances:

  • "Cocoa and Carols" concert featuring soloists, Christmas arrangements and their regular repertoire
  • Tour Nebraska with Doublewide
  • ACDA Vocal Jazz Festival in Columbus
  • Relay for Life at Doane
  • Various local venues on and off campus
NAfME

Student Ensembles

National Association for Music Education

National Association for Music Education (NAfME) serves to augment classroom work in the field of music education to promote special projects of the Nebraska Music Educators Association and the National Conference, and to expand the knowledge and horizons of future music educators. NAfME is open to students interested in music education.

pep band

Student Ensembles

Tiger Pep Band

Tiger Pep Band is an instrumental music ensemble open to all students and performs at home football games during the fall semester. The ensemble utilizes a student-centered, constructivist approach, providing opportunities for students to develop skills in teaching, conducting, leadership, collaboration, communication, community engagement and outreach, composing, and arranging. Upon completion of this course, students will improve their musicianship through the performance of a varied repertoire of music selected and created by the students. Prerequisite(s): none. 

The Doane Difference

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Prestigious Performances

Doane ensembles have been selected to perform for numerous conferences, including the Nebraska Music Education Association and the American Choral Directors Association.

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Tour Internationally

Ensembles regularly tour throughout the Nebraska, the United States and internationally. The Doane Choir has sung in 13 countries, most recently Costa Rica.

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State-of-the-art Equipment

The college owns two Steinway concert pianos. Significant gifts to the Music Department have made it possible to provide future upgrades of equipment, facilities and experiences for students.

Career Information

Doane Choir

Helpful Links

Whether you’re ready to apply or still testing the waters with a tour, we’re here for you. Here are some helpful links to assist you on your journey.

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