Find your
fearless
Redhawks Awarded 2025-2026 OVC Commissioner's Cup
Southeast Missouri State Redhawks win back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner's Cup. This award is given each year for athletic excellence across all sports. Congratulations to our student-athletes, coaches, and the entire SEMO community!
Determined. Committed. Fearless.
-
When Jordan came to SEMO, she had a passion for music and a dream of turning it into a career.
-
She knew she could be a band director, but didn’t realize how many other doors a music performance degree could open.
-
With support from experienced faculty, Jordan honed her performance skills through concerts and national competitions while gaining leadership experience most music majors don’t get until graduate school.
-
Small class sizes and one-on-one attention help you build confidence and step into leadership sooner, giving you experience other music programs can’t.
-
These experiences are what set SEMO apart. You’re building your resume from day one.
-
Now, Jordan feels prepared for graduate school and whatever comes next because of the foundation she built here. Check out her story to see how a music performance degree from SEMO can launch your fearless future.
Future Focused. You Focused.
Academics
Where Ambition Meets Action
Music is how people express themselves and connect with their communities. A degree in music helps you develop your skills while building the confidence to take the stage and own it. Starting in your first semester at SEMO, you’ll perform and collaborate in ways many students at other schools have to wait years for. Our faculty mentors are accomplished performers and educators who bring their experience into every lesson and rehearsal. Through small class sizes, one-on-one instruction and leadership opportunities, you’ll refine your skills and grow as an artist. It’s an experience designed to help you stand out. SEMO music graduates pursue careers in performance, education, composition and a range of other music related fields. Explore SEMO’s music performance program or browse our full range of academic programs to find the path that fits your goals.
Dr. Deborah Caldwell
Outcomes
“We have fantastic students at SEMO, and it is truly a joy for me to help prepare them for their careers! I frequently tell our student musicians that faculty are on their team for the long haul – our support for their success doesn’t end at commencement. “
Meet Dr. Caldwell
Student Experience
Active Learning
Experience That Starts Now
At SEMO, music students don’t have to wait to take the lead. With a strong focus on undergraduate musicians, you’ll have opportunities to perform, teach, and lead within ensembles from the start. Music education majors gain real teaching experience working with peers and in the classroom, building confidence before student teaching begins. Whether serving as a principal player, teaching at the Music Academy or supporting others in rehearsal, you’ll gain hands-on experience that builds both skill and confidence. At SEMO, these real performance and teaching opportunities begin long before graduation. That’s why it’s the best place for you to build your future in music.
-
1
SEMO’s River Campus is the only campus in Missouri, completely dedicated to the arts, dance, music, and theatre. -
1 of 10
SEMO is home to an award-winning music program that was one of the first institutions to be named a “Yamaha Institution of Excellence.” This award recognizes strong commitment to creative music education and providing unique learning experiences.
-
$84k
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of a music director is $84,230.
-
98%
Within six months of graduation, 98% of SEMO students are employed or continuing their education.
Experiences Beyond the Classroom
At SEMO, the student experience includes more than going to class. Music students can join the Marching Band, perform with choirs, step into leadership programs or even compete in intramural sports to immerse themselves in the Redhawk community. SEMO is the right fit for academics, experiential learning and extracurricular opportunities. Once you join the Redhawk community, you’ll be ready to fearlessly take on your future no matter what it holds.
Admissions & Aid
According to data published by U.S. News and World Report, SEMO ranks among the most affordable universities in the nation, earning a spot in the top 40 for Best Value among other recognitions. SEMO students understand the value of a degree, and we work to remove barriers so you can reach your academic goals.
Deeply Connected
Community
From the Classroom to the Frontlines
At SEMO, students don’t just learn alongside each other; they grow together. Opportunities like teaching assistant roles allow students to support their peers, build confidence, and step into leadership early. Being surrounded by a community that is learning, practicing, and pushing forward together helps students feel prepared for what comes next. By the time they graduate, they’re ready to lead their own classrooms and make an impact on student lives.
Ella Crader
In-Demand Alumni
“Being able to teach in the choir program I went through as a junior high and high school student and work alongside the band directors who taught me is very cool. I teach in the same room where I first discovered how much I love choir, because SEMO made it possible for me to stay connected to the Southeast Missouri area.”
Career and Alumni Success
Outcomes
Where Passion Becomes Purpose
Within six months of graduation, 98% of SEMO students are working or continuing their education. Music students turn that success into meaningful careers, impacting the lives of individuals, families, and communities.
-
$1.3b
In FY 2023-24, SEMO alumni generated $1.3 billion in added income for the state economy, which is equivalent to supporting 12,859 jobs.
-
$90.2m
SEMO’s operations spending, including the University’s payroll and the in-state spending of the University and its employees, added $90.2 million in income to the state or the equivalent of 1,075 jobs.
-
$31k
The average bachelor's degree graduate from SEMO will see an increase in earnings of $31,000 each year compared to someone with a high school diploma working in Missouri.
Request Info
Learn More
If one of our career-focused programs sounds like a fit — and you’re ready to turn grit into greatness — we’d love to tell you more about Southeast Missouri State University. Complete this brief form, and someone will be in touch real soon.