McNally Smith Alumni

12/19/2017

Alumni - you are invited to attend this Transfer Fair tomorrow if it pertains to your situation. See info below.

This page is intended to provide all McNally Smith students with information about potential transfer partner schools. The schools listed…

12/18/2017

More photos from December 2017 Graduation!

12/16/2017

Hey folks -
Below is a list of the final performances directly related to McNally Smith. Please come and show your support for the community that changed so many lives, reminisce with old friends, or cry on a shoulder or two.

Sunday, December 17 @ 5:30 pm -- All About Jazz/Classical guitar Night (Black Dog and Nautilus Theater)
5:30 pm Jazz 2 - Chris Olson
6:15 pm Jazz 3 – Steve Jennings
7:00 pm Classical Guitar – Milena Petkovic Nautilus Theater
7:40 pm Xtet – Pete Whitman
8:40 pm Fusion – Adam Meckler
9:40 pm Advanced Jazz – Peter Schimke

Monday, December 18 @ 7:00 pm -- SING OUT the Gospel Edition (MSCM Auditorium)
McNally Smith Chorus – Maria Vejdani
SONIC – Shon Parker
CVE – Jennifer Parker
Special guest Sanford Moore & the MSCM Gospel Ensemble
Tuesday, December 19 @ 7:00 pm -- Percussion and Orchestra Night (MSCM Auditorium)
TAP – Dave Schmalenberger
Orchestra – Gary Gratz

Wednesday, December 20 @ 5:00 pm -- Christmas Church (MSCM Auditorium) THE SONS OF ALMIGHTY and Pastor Sarah Bunge
Michael Bland, Sonny Thompson, Tommy Barbarella, and Julius Collins

Thursday, December 21 @ (exact time tbd) 2:00 pm until close -- Gala Rally GoFundOthers Event at the Minnesota Music Cafe
A special thanks goes to Karen Palm and her idea to do something for our students. Sixteen McNally Smith student bands
For more information contact Tim Dooley [email protected]

12/16/2017

Photos of today’s alumni! It was a beautiful, supportive ceremony. All the credits go to Sue Ramlow Brezny for insisting that we keep calm and carry on.

12/15/2017

Hi Alumni - Here's one way you can help current students. A message from the Residence Hall director, Col'Lette Gauvin:

We have 117 students needing to move out of the Residence Hall and we are working on finding them boxes or other ways to pack up their belongings.

If you or someone you know has boxes or bins to donate to students, please drop them off at the Residence Hall at 345 Wabasha St. N. Saint Paul, MN 55102 (Sign on the building says Gray Duck)

Call our RA duty phone at 651-324-1609 when you arrive and we'll meet you in the lobby with a cart to grab any boxes you may have!

Thank you for your support in helping these students, their immediate loss of "home" has shaken many of them and a few don't have anywhere to go. Housing & Residence Life is in our office all day to triage any issues students may have.

12/15/2017

Hi folks,
We're still figuring this out administratively, but anyone wanting to receive a transcript, send an email to [email protected] with your name/year/contact info and the registrar team will get these out.
-Liz

12/15/2017

Hello everyone - Today at 5 pm the faculty and staff were told that McNally Smith College of Music is closing. A shock for all of us. I reprint for you the letter that Harry Chalmiers sent to the students.

December 14, 2017

Dear students,

It is with deep regret that we are writing to you to inform you that McNally Smith College of music must discontinue all course offerings at the end of this fall semester, 2017. As you may know, for several years the college has been experiencing declining enrollment and revenue. For nearly 2 years we have been in the process of becoming a nonprofit college and we have been seeking funding necessary to establish the college on firm financial footing as a nonprofit institution. In spite of our best efforts, we have been unable to obtain this funding and the cash necessary to fund ongoing operations.

We are in intensive discussions with institutions of higher education locally and nationally seeking their partnership to provide each of you with options where you may continue your studies. As these partnerships become established, we will do everything possible to help you make a smooth transition to an appropriate institution.

We are extremely proud of the educational programs we have developed and profoundly sad that we are forced to discontinue our programming. The reputation nationally and internationally of McNally Smith College of Music is very strong and deservedly so. We believe that the preparation you have received here is second to none and will provide you with a solid foundation for continuing your education and creating a life in music.

We sincerely wish you all the best and are deeply sorry for this highly disappointing situation for all of us.

McNally Smith College of Music

12/10/2017

This week! Come support all the students.

All Emerging Artist Series events are FREE and open to the public! For a full listing of ensembles and venues, visit —

The Emerging Artist Series showcases McNally Smith's diversity and musicianship, with over 30 student ensembles performing FREE and open to the public on stages all over the Twin Cities.

12/08/2017

Job Blast for this week:
Drummer & Bassist; live audio specialists; music teachers; Valleyfair auditions and live sound technicians.

Drummer and BassistWenso AshbyMinneapolis, MN Smooth Jazz pianist seeking an enthusiastic drummer and bassist to develop a trioAudio Production SpecialistMount Olivet Lutheran ChurchMinneapolis, MN Deliver high quality sound via multiple audio formats during live and recorded performances using 32.....

12/01/2017

Here's your December Job Blast!

Republic Stage CoordinatorE&K Retail Airport ConcessionsMSP Airport, Bloomington, MN Provide onsite administrative and sound support for the McNally Smith Stage at the Airport.Support Employees for The Guess WhoHouston ProductionsBloomington, MN Hiring a tour manager/monitor engineer, and stage mana...

12/01/2017

Brandon Lay is live on the McNally Smith College of Music auditorium stage today in Artist and Industry UMusic Experience

11/30/2017

Alumni - Please join us tomorrow, Friday at 12 pm in the Auditorium.

McNally Smith's Artist & Industry seminars bring prominent artists, producers, entrepreneurs and industry thought leaders to campus for performances, lectures and Q&A sessions. Students have the opportunity to hear from music professionals and ask questions regarding their creative process, industry...