Art & Design
Collaborative Piano
Dance Instrumental Music
Speech & Debate
Technical Arts
Theatre
Vocal Music
Arts Degree Programs
The Student Experience
Arts Scholarship Pathways
Next Steps
The choice to pursue a college degree at Midland University is the start of an extraordinary chapter. That experience is not limited to the classroom, but encourages a sense of community and nurtures your talents in the arts. Within the arts department, you can participate in as many programs as you desire, creating a tailored experience in an environment that you will feel the impact of for the rest of your life.
Welcome to MidlandUArts, where we are:
Not only have our directors spent decades learning their craft, they have spent decades living, refining, and perfecting their craft. And we want to give you the opportunity to learn from them. Our expert professionals are eager to meet you where you’re at and help you see your limitless potential.
Our department understands that PEOPLE are what truly matter in any collaborative space. We are committed to fostering an environment that will help students feel welcomed, heard, and accomplished while making lifelong memories along the way.
As a MidlandUArts student, you receive a truly special collegiate experience uniquely catered to your individual interests and future dreams. Continue to explore all of our offerings, and we hope to welcome you to Warrior Nation soon.
Create a unique and fulfilling path by exploring your creative side through drawing, painting, graphic design, sculpting, and more! You will also participate in our Blank Space Art Hub (art club), design contests, art walks, and other fantastic opportunities to showcase your work and engage with fellow artists.
Art & Design students pursue their specific and unique take on art, and the Art & Design scholarship can also be tailored to the student's specific interest from digital design to studio work.
Blank Space Art Hub seeks out and creates projects on campus and in the Fremont and Omaha area, using art as a connector for neighborhoods, organizations and communities.
Art & Design students have the opportunity to display their artwork in the Musbach Kimmel Gallery on-campus.
CONNECT WITH US
KATY JONES Associate Professor of Art & Designjones@midlandu.edu
Our Collaborative Piano program helps you continue to grow and refine your skills through a hands-on performance experience. Explore the unique opportunity to receive a scholarship while playing for various ensembles, musical theater performances, and more!
Take private lessons every semester
Provide 30 hours of collaborative piano in the arts department in various areas:
Choir rehearsals/performances
BlueNotes rehearsals/performances
Student recitals
Musical theatre rehearsals/performances
Collaborative Pianist/Music Instructor
butlerk@midlandu.edu
The nationally-ranked Midland University Dance Program (MUDP) was developed with all dancers in mind. Whether you see yourself representing the university at competitive dance nationals, on the sidelines of sporting events, or creating in the studio, MUDP is a fantastic way to grow with your dance passion!
Game Day - Our game day squad performs at football, basketball, and volleyball games performing sideline and halftime routines. This energetic group often features student choreography that ranges from pom to hip hop to jazz.
Premier Dance Company - Premier is a student-led group of dancers focusing on contemporary and lyrical dance. Premier dancers have opportunities for choreography creation and present classes and workshops to local schools and studios in the area.
Warrior Wildfire - Our competitive NAIA dance team. These 5X National Champions practice and compete every winter focusing on hip hop, jazz, and pom.
CONNECT WITH US
ERIN SIBBALD Director of Dancesibbald@midlandu.edu
Our Instrumental Music program is crafted to be inclusive and welcoming to all students who wish to participate. Our faculty and staff meet you at your skill level and push you to perform to your highest potential. We believe building your repertoire is important, so we play literature spanning over four centuries while remaining relevant through technology resources and cutting-edge music.
Established in 1925, the Midland University Band has been a rich part of campus life for nearly a century.
Membership is open to all students and represents a true cross-section of the Midland University student population.
The bands at Midland University provide growth opportunities for their members through participation in performances of the highest level. In addition to the Concert Band, students can also express themselves in our jazz ensemble, small groups, and pit orchestra
Director of Instrumental Music
fortney@midlandu.edu
Our award-winning Speech & Debate program at Midland University allows you to compete on a national level, travel with the team, and grow in a fun, educational environment! With 11 events to compete in, you have a wide range of opportunities during your time in our Speech & Debate program.
Pursue individual passions/interests through performance and argumentation
Every student on the team receives direct one-on-one coaching
New to Speech & Debate but interested in learning more? We’re happy to teach you along the way
Compete in up to 6 events, even as a first-year student with competitions & travel being fully funded
knowlton@midlandu.edu
Are you naturally drawn to the ‘back of the house’ functions of Arts productions? MidlandUArts has the opportunity for you to receive a scholarship if you’re interested in stage management, sound design, lighting design, costume design, set design, set construction, and producing! We meet you where you are in your skill sets and work to give you the experience you need to be competitive in the arts world after graduation.
Student Technicians have opportunities to work in various areas of the arts including theatrical performances, dance recitals, concerts, and more.
Midland University offers a B.A. in Arts Management for students that do want to craft a career in the Tech world. Students who are aspiring stage managers, event planners, company managers, or producers will graduate with a wide variety of technical skills to support their careers and their resumes.
CONNECT WITH US
JERRY DITTER
Director of Technical Arts
ditter@midlandu.edu
Want to stay in the spotlight? Our Theatre hosts a 5 to 6 mainstage show season ranging from Shakespeare to contemporary. There is no limit to your involvement, even in your first semester! We also have opportunities for student-directed projects such as one-acts, mainstage shows, and more!
Participate in a 5-show season throughout the year, 3 musicals and 2 non-musicals.
Opportunity to experience different areas of the theatre department such as acting, directing, technical arts, and production through oneacts and student productions.
Step out of your comfort zone by joining our campus improv group
S.A.S (Short Attention Span).
Become a part of Alpha Psi Omega, the national theatre honor society.
Are you looking to continue to share your voice with the world? Take part in our fun, welcoming, and talented Vocal Music program at Midland University. Receive a scholarship to sing in the university choir, perform in our contemporary a capella ensemble, The Clef Dwellers, or in our vocal jazz ensemble, The BlueNotes! By being involved in our Vocal Music scholarship area, you also travel around the country during our annual Choir Tour!
In our three ensembles, University Choir, Clef Dwellers, and BlueNotes, singers can experience everything from classic choral pieces to contemporary a cappella and vocal jazz Students have opportunities to travel with the choir locally and nationally.
Warriors in Clef Dwellers and BlueNotes have opportunities to perform at different local venues and events on-campus. Our vocal music department connects Warriors from many different interest areas and majors across campus.
CONNECT WITH US
JOEL JOHNSTON Director of Vocal Music johnston@midlandu.eduThe Arts Management major combines the creativity, collaboration, and confidence cultivated by involvement in the arts with industryspecific business skills and knowledge to become highly marketable in the business and performance world. Pursuing an Arts Management major not only prepares you to explore your own performance careers but also to manage arts organizations, companies, and facilities. By selecting this major, you are appealing to a wide range of businesses.
Hands-on experiences to better prepare you: writing/coaching marching drills, conducting musical theater pit orchestras, clinicianing show choirs, operating sound and lights for various performance spaces, and conducting the University Band. You receive full requirements of Music Ed. Certification that you would at any university, plus the unique experiences and individual attention of a small college make you more appealing to schools looking to hire you.
More information about the Music PK-12 Field Endorsement and the Vocal Music PK-12 Subject Endorsement is also available in the Academic Catalog.
“My favorite memory so far was being able to see the entire creation of Steelhouse Omaha and playing a small role in the project by planning multiple events starting with the groundbreaking ceremony all the way to the ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration!”
“While at Midland I was able to sing in the choir, participate in acapella select choir, play in the band, participate in musicals and be part of the tech team ... Without the opportunity to participate in so many performing groups, I would not have had the knowledge and confidence to teach in all areas of the arts.”
Q1: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT THE MIDLANDUARTS DEPARTMENT?
My favorite part about MidlandUArts is the culture and relationships that are fostered in this department. I have formed some of my closest friendships through MidlandUArts. This department is also a highly supportive atmosphere where a multitude of opportunities are open for you to explore.
Q2: HOW HAVE YOU GROWN DURING YOUR TIME WITH MIDLANDUARTS?
I've been presented with so many opportunities to build my confidence. I remember how timid I was when I first got to campus but after things like One-Acts or different auditions, I can see how much I've changed and I love it.
Q3: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE LOOKING INTO COLLEGE?
College can be very intimidating but Midland made it easy because it feels like home ... For anyone on their college search, I recommend choosing a school that makes you feel comfortable and included like Midland did for me!
Choose which scholarship area within the Arts best suits your talent, career path, or passion. This will be your primary area in the Arts. You will be offered the same scholarship amount no matter which area you choose.
Students are encouraged to be involved in multiple areas of the Arts, however, if there is ever a scheduling conflict between two areas, then students are expected to default to the area that they have chosen to received a scholarship through.
Total scholarship amounts are determined by student auditions, however, students are guaranteed a minimum amount based on their GPA. Look for your GPA below to see what your minimum guaranteed scholarship amount would be.
