St. Joseph's School of Music

St. Joseph’s School of Music (SJSM) and the Saint Paul Conservatory of Music (SPCM) announced their merger in October 2024. This formally joins two Saint Paul music schools that bring high quality music education to people of all ages, abilities, and aspirations. Both performing arts organizations share a powerful commitment to excellence and accessibility in music education, performance, appreciation, innovation, and responsiveness to the needs and interests of the community. 

“The merging of these two wonderful Saint Paul-based community music schools opens so many possibilities for our collective future,” said Mary Larew, Executive Director of SPCM. “Both schools share a commitment to the highest standards of musicianship and to making music available to all members of our community, regardless of means. Merging combines our resources and our strengths, fueling more collaboration, more music, and a stronger community of music makers and music lovers.”

The two Twin Cities-based community music schools have combined their programming at SJSM’s location in the historic Richards Gordon building at 1619 Dayton Ave in Saint Paul. “This strategic merger of St. Joe’s and SPCM will build strength and sustainability,” said Madeline Cieslak, Director Emerita of SJSM. “Our shared values and complementary programming will create synergy while also doubling our capacity, our reach, and our ability to serve the community. Together with our combined faculty and our vibrant community of students and families, the future is bright.”

The school plans to announce their new name in 2025.

When you donate to St. Joseph’s School of Music-Saint Paul Conservatory, your gift supports quality music education, helps keep lessons affordable, and strengthens our scholarship program to ensure every student can access the programs we offer.

It is our mission at SJSM-SPCM to nurture the joy of learning music in people of all ages, abilities, and aspirations.

Will you join us in our efforts?  Together with your support, we can continue to provide a nurturing space to learn and share the gift of music with our community for many years to come. 

“We feel so cared for! I am especially grateful for all the performance opportunities – care concerts, studio recitals, Musicales, festivals. It has been a joyful year!” 

—Parent 

“To me, community to me is the core aspect of music making. We as musicians and teachers exist to serve the community we live in. Our job is to enrich the lives of those around us and if we are successful, that creates a community that values music, art, and each other.” 

—faculty member

We are grateful for gifts of all sizes 

that enable the important work we do in the community,

 that allow our School to grow, and our students to