Message from the Chair

Welcome!  UWRF's Music Department is exciting and transforming itself with new ideas, offerings, and majors. We are adding more great faculty, online classes, and clinics throughout the year. Watch for music events, concerts, and opportunities for you to participate and enrich your life. You are always welcome on campus for any of our outreach events.

Music Education majors have a 100% placement record over the past five years. You too can join our program and finish your degree in a timely manner. Our location to the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St.Paul) provides amazing opportunities for collaboration with inner city schools, suburban scenes, and rural placements.  

Performance opportunities abound through the UWRF Music Department for majors, non-majors, and adults. We serve the greater region with quality events and ensembles. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, call us, and be sure to check the calendar for concerts and events. Many faculty host websites, so stay informed and come see us soon. Our faculty are active on campus and throughout the world. Don't miss out.  

Dr. David Milne will serve as interim chair during the spring of 2017 as I am on sabbatical. During this time I will be guest conducting throughout the region for honors festivals in Georgia, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Other outreach conducting opportunities include working in Spain and the Czech Republic for professional bands. Future scholarly activity will include arranging music for ensembles and writing articles on living composers. Enjoy life! 

Dr. Kris Tjornehoj

UWRF hires World renowned Harpsichord artist, Layton "Skip" James:

Anyone can take lessons at UWRF through the Music Department and learn about figured bass on harpsichord from the world's leading expert, Layton "Skip" James. He has spent 42 years with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra as the keyboard specialist before his post at UWRF.
This summer finds Layton "Skip" James at Interlochen Music Academy in Michigan leading classes on the keyboard and performing with some of the finest chamber musicians as a guest artist. Apply at UWRF and take lessons as a student under the master and international guru of Baroque Music.

See here for more information on Layton "Skip" James.