Unleash your creativity and find meaning in art, history, and life as you become a more confident performer and critical thinker.
Our mission is to develop in students a well-rounded understanding of God and humanity through language, literature, music, theatre, and visual arts; preparing students to enrich the lives of all persons they influence through the context of a liberal arts education.
Arts & Humanities at MNU includes music, theatre and English areas of study. Professors provide opportunities for students to learn, grow and experience human culture and self expression in coursework, experiential activities and performance.
Symphonic Choir is an auditioned large ensemble meeting Monday evenings. Symphonic Choir presents large choral masterworks performed with orchestra. Recent works include choruses from Handel’s Messiah, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Mozart’s Regina Coeli, and Schubert’s Mass in G.
Heritage Choir is an auditioned ensemble representing a wide range of majors. It meets MWF afternoons and performs for most choral concerts. Repertoire includes historic masterworks, contemporary music, multicultural music, Broadway shows, vocal jazz, and gospel. Heritage Choir sang in New York’s Carnegie Hall in March 2011 and in the National Capitol Choral Festival in Washington, DC in May 2013. Members participate in Symphonic Choir.
Apostellō Worship is a small, auditioned ensemble of drums, bass, keyboard, guitar, and vocals, producing music in popular/modern styles for Christian worship, providing musical worship leadership in Chapel worship services on campus and in church gatherings in the community.
Concert Band is a large ensemble of wind and percussion instruments that meets MWF afternoons. This ensemble performs a mixture of standard band repertoire and new repertoire by current composers. Periodically, chamber wind music is also performed using select members from this group. Directed by Dr. Luke D. Johnson
Jazz Ensemble is comprised of standard big band instrumentation. This ensemble performs a wide variety of styles, including Swing, Latin, Funk, Rock, Fusion, and Bebop. Ensemble members incorporate improvisation and appropriate idiomatic styles into the performance practice of this group. Directed by Professor Doug Talley and Dr. Luke D. Johnson
The MNU Pep Band plays at home Football and Basketball games in support of our athletic teams. Directed by Dr. Luke D. Johnson
The Drumline performs with the MNU Pep Band at home Football and Basketball games. Additionally, they support other athletic teams when possible and perform at functions across campus and in the community. Directed by Brandon Graves
Chamber Orchestra includes Violin, Viola, Cello, and String Bass and performs a variety of works from classical and baroque, to modern selections. Directed by Katina Bilberry
MNU partners with our local community orchestra to provide students an opportunity to play in a classical full orchestra. This ensemble is open to all string players. Wind and Percussion players may have opportunities to participate when instrumentation needs arise with the approval of the director. Contact Dr. Luke D. Johnson for information.
Facebook: MNUOrchestra, MNUBands
Instagram: MNUOrchestra, MNUBands
The Theatre Department offers at least four productions each year including musicals and plays performing in the 500-seat Mabee Auditorium or the intimate Sunderland Black Box Theatre. Our improv teams perform monthly and we host several campus-wide events each year, such as Live Clue and a Swing Dance fundraiser. MNU Theatre is a proud participant in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival every year where students have the opportunity to compete for scholarships and audition for professional theatres. Visit our social media for rehearsal and show photos of recent productions!
The Spark of an idea can change the world, especially when expressed through the stage and screen. That’s what Spark MNU Arts Camp is all about: helping students find their voice and expertly expressing it through professional-level technology and hands-on workshops.
For more information click the link above.
Facebook: MNU Theatre; Instagram: mnutheatre; X: @mnu_theatre; TikTok: @mnutheatre; YouTube: ; YouTube: @mnu_theatre5654
Open to current MNU students and current high school students, the MidAmerica Film Festival offers young filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their unique voices and cinematic expressions in a setting meant to engage, encourage, and empower one another in a creative arts community.
Just want to watch the chosen films? The Film Festival is open and free to the public. All are welcome.
Submission categories: Comedy, Drama, and Documentary
To register, view the official rules and media requirements, please click the link above.
The Spark of an idea can change the world, especially when expressed through the stage and screen. That’s what Spark MNU Arts Camp is all about: helping students find their voice and expertly expressing it through professional-level technology and hands-on workshops.
For more information click the link above.
MNU Arts & Humanities department offers two scholarship opportunities: Music and Theatre. Music major scholarships and/or music ensemble participation scholarships are available to exceptional students who complete the Music Scholarship Application Form and perform a successful audition. Theatre major scholarships are available to exceptional students who complete the Theatre Scholarship Application Form and perform a successful audition.
The audition experience is an opportunity for prospective students to demonstrate their level of musical/theatrical skill in the prospective student’s major (and possibly secondary) performance area, and meet the faculty.
All upcoming auditions are in person on the campus of MidAmerica. If you are unable to come to campus, please get in touch with us at performingarts@mnu.edu.
Audition dates for 2025-2026 are as follows:
Serving our community through musical training and experiences, helping participants develop musical skills and a love of music, while providing MNU students studying the pedagogy of music an opportunity to teach and gain real-life experience is our mission. Join us!
The Spark of an idea can change the world, especially when expressed through the stage and screen. That’s what Spark MNU Arts Camp is all about: helping students find their voice and expertly expressing it through professional-level technology and hands-on workshops.
This event is a performance opportunity for any middle school or high school jazz ensemble or jazz combo. The focus will be on an education-based performance and clinic, promoting a positive experience and developing musicianship in the jazz idiom.
This event is a performance opportunity for any middle school or high school jazz ensemble or jazz combo. The focus will be on an education-based performance and clinic, promoting a positive experience and developing musicianship in the jazz idiom.
This event is a performance opportunity for any middle school or high school jazz ensemble or jazz combo. The focus will be on an education-based performance and clinic, promoting a positive experience and developing musicianship in the jazz idiom.
Concern about paying back student loans is common. That’s why we provide the Pioneer Pledge, our loan repayment assistance program. If your income is modest after graduation, Pioneer Pledge assists with your educational loan repayments. Learn more on our financial aid pages.
Find the arts & humanities program that’s right for you. Talk to your MNU team to customize your journey.
