St. Joseph's School of Music

You can make a difference by donating today to St. Joseph's School of Music.

Help us make our dream come true of an enduring home for St. Joseph's School of Music that fosters creativity and community.

Our objective

We are grateful to a group of dedicated donors who have come forward in support of SJSM with a challenge grant of $25,000.

Will you help us raise the funds to match it?

The approximate costs of the move to 1619 Dayton Avenue:

$25,000 construction, re-model and move-in costs

$15,000 moving costs for pianos and furniture

$5,000 new chairs for the Recital Hall

$5,000 miscellaneous (including technology, contingency)

Our Mission

Our welcoming community and faculty of teaching artists nurture the joy of learning music in people of all ages, abilities, and aspirations.

Our Story

A distinguished nonprofit organization built on a foundation of providing accessible education and community connection, St. Joseph's School of Music positively impacts lives through the study, exploration, and love of music. Providing musical and educational experiences for every person who wants them is our priority, and we truly have something for everyone—from babies to retirees.

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St. Joseph’s School of Music was founded in 1970 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet through the merger of the St. Joseph’s Academy Music Department and St. Agatha’s Conservatory. Our CSJ legacy connects us deeply to our community, with a history of providing music education to the Twin Cities for 140 years. Initially resident in the Carondelet Center adjacent to St. Catherine University, the School’s growth in programming, enrollment, and faculty necessitated more spacious accommodation on Summit Avenue in the Immaculate Heart of Mary School, and later in the historic Brown and Bigelow Building at University Avenue and Syndicate Street. In early 2022, the school will move to 1619 Dayton Avenue, to the historic Richards Gordon School in the heart of St. Paul.

We are a vibrant organization serving a diverse community of students of every age, background, and income-level with excellent music education. Our students, from beginner to advanced, in instrumental and vocal music, have the advantage of one-on-one instruction from highly-trained and accomplished faculty. Students enjoy participation in early childhood music, our dynamic Suzuki program, and they excel in school and area student orchestras, bands, and in state and national competitions. We perform all over the Twin Cities, offering abundant performance opportunities to our students at community venues, churches, and senior residences, as well as premier concert spaces.