When did it happen?
The year the UMN School of Music was founded.
1902
The director of bands in 2026
Emily Threinen
Prince
Pulitzer Prize winner and long-time professor at UMN
Dominick Argento
This 1979 disco hit was recorded at Minneapolis's Sound 80, which was also the site of one of the world's first16-track digital recordings.
Funkytown
The year the Pride of Minnesota began performing at football games.
1892
The current director of undergraduate studies.
Dean Sorenson
Born in Duluth and known for his genre of folk, rock, and blues
Bob Dylan
Co-founder of the Minnesota composers forum, now the American composers forum.
Libby Larson
This place was once known as the "Polka Capital of the Nation" in the mid-20th century, boasting 18 professional local bands
The year the music therapy program was founded.
1975
Current Director of the School of music
Patrick Warfield
Actress who starred in the original Wizard of Oz
Judy Garland
Founder of the St. Olaf choir
F. Melius Christiansen
This group from Winona, Minnesota, were the first all-white group signed to Motown Records in 1971
The Messengers
The year women were officially allowed to march in the Pride of Minnesota
1972
Current Director of Opera Theatre
David Walsh
Artist of the song "Fireflies" in the early 2000s and is from Owatonna MN.
Owl City
A Minneapolis-based guitarist and composer blending jazz with orchestral, film, and commercial music
John Penny
This legendary production duo, who shaped the sound of Janet Jackson and many others, started in the Minneapolis band scene and were once in a band with Prince.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
The year the first female drum major was chosen to lead the marching band.
2006
Current Associate Director of Bands
Jerry Luckhardt
Group founded in 1903, of which many professors in the UMN School of Music participate
Minnesota Orchestra
Composed hundreds of works, including nearly 60 orchestral scores and 150 choral pieces.
Stephen Paulus
This pop-star flautist moved to Minneapolis in 2011
Lizzo