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Reflecting on the past year, we’re filled with gratitude for the music we share, the community we’re a part of, and the staff, volunteers, students, families, and donors who make everything we do at St. Joseph’s School of Music possible.
2023 was filled with growth, new opportunities, and lots of music-making! Although we’re still recovering from the challenges of the pandemic that impacted us all, we’re steadily rebuilding St. Joe’s enrollment and offerings. And we expect continued growth in the months and years to come, thanks to our community’s ongoing dedication and support of music education.
Here’s what we accomplished and celebrated together this year:
- Continued to settle into our beautiful new location in the heart of St. Paul at 1619 Dayton, in the historic Richards Gordon School building. We love our new home!
- Held dozens of performance and outreach opportunities at St. Joe’s and around the community, including Care Concerts at local retirement homes, student and faculty recitals, String Fest, Suzuki program “play-together” events, and our annual Spring Showcase.
- Offered Explorations in Music classes, adult learner “salons,” and chamber music ensembles, providing supplementary enrichment to current students and family-friendly exposure to new subjects and skills
- Increased student enrollment by 10%, welcoming kids and adults of all ages and levels to the St. Joe’s community
- Added 10 new teachers to our roster of dedicated, skilled faculty members, expanding our cello, oboe, piano, violin, and viola studios.
If one word could sum up the past year—and everything we did together—it would be JOY. After all, it’s part of our mission at St. Joseph’s School of Music: to nurture the joy of learning music in people of all ages, abilities, and aspirations.
From our caring team of staff and faculty who love what they do, to the dedicated students and families who learn and grow together in their musical journey, to the many opportunities to make music with lessons, group classes, outreach performances, music exploration workshops, and chamber music ensembles, the joy of music is at the heart of everything we do.
Here’s what our students, parents, and staff have to say about being a part of the St. Joe’s community:
“I’ve learned so much from my teacher. I can do so many things I never thought I could do! I’m so appreciative for all the help and guidance.” —Kate, student
“I am about to celebrate my one-year anniversary being a piano student at St Joseph’s School of Music. What makes this past year special is the sense of expression I feel...The musical world seems full of infinite possibilities!” —Laurie, adult student
“We feel so cared for! I am especially grateful for all the performance opportunities – care concerts, studio recitals, Musicales, festivals. It has been a joyful year!” —Parent
“To me, community to me is the core aspect of music making. We as musicians and teachers exist to serve the community we live in. Our job is to enrich the lives of those around us and if we are successful, that creates a community that values music, art, and each other.” —Matt Dosland, faculty member, cello
The Joy of Giving Back
This holiday season, give the gift of music! When you donate to St. Joseph’s School of Music, your gift supports quality music education, helps keep lessons affordable, and strengthens our scholarship program to ensure every student can access the programs we offer.
As a nonprofit, St. Joseph’s School of Music relies on financial support from friends and neighbors like you to make everything we do possible. Your gift in any amount makes a difference and helps us:
- Share our mission to provide access to the many benefits of music education for people of all ages and abilities.
- Provide scholarships to ensure every student can access the many benefits of quality music education
- Support our talented roster of 44 faculty members and over 500 students who come from across the Twin Cities area including kids and adults of all ages and backgrounds.
- Offer supplementary classes and events to students and their families including Explorations in Music, adult learner salons, String Fest, play-alongs, and dozens of student and faculty performances throughout the year.
- Enrich our community through over 50 performances annually at our school, local senior communities, churches, schools, and other venues.
Together with your support, and our dedicated staff, students, volunteers, and families, we can continue to provide a nurturing space to learn and share the joy of music with our community this holiday season and for many years to come.
