As the flagship organization for the STMA School District, the STMA Music Program Strives to provide a world class educational experience for the 500+ it serves daily
Vocal Ensembles
The STMA Concert Choir
The STMA Concert Choir is an advanced touring mixed choir for SATB voices in grades 10-12 and meets during the third hour of the school day. Students in this choir will continue to develop a variety of high level musical skills that will enable them to truly stand out as musicians. These skills include sight-reading, rhythmic analysis, and proper vocal technique. Students will experience music of many styles, languages, genres and difficulty levels while singing in Concert Choir. They will be expected to perform in concerts and engage in verbal or written evaluations of our performances, while also completing additional work such as voice tests, language assessments, and any other work deemed suitable for the music we're studying.
Vivace
The STMA Vivace Choir is an advanced touring treble choir for singers in grades 10-12 and meets during the fourth hour of the school day. Students in this choir will continue to develop a variety of high level musical skills that will enable them to truly stand out as musicians. These skills include sight-reading, rhythmic analysis, and proper vocal technique. Students will experience music of many styles, languages, genres and difficulty levels while singing in Vivace. They will be expected to perform in concerts and engage in verbal or written evaluations of our performances, while also completing additional work such as voice tests, language assessments, and any other work deemed suitable for the music we're studying.
Bella Voce
Bella Voce is an intermediate level Treble choir for Soprano and Alto voices in grades 10-12 and meets during the second hour of the school day. Students in this choir will continue to develop a variety of different musical skills that will enable them to set the foundation necessary to being a lifelong musician. These skills include sight-reading, rhythmic analysis, and proper vocal technique. Students will experience music of many styles, languages, genres and difficulty levels while singing in Bella Voce. They will be expected to perform in concerts and engage in verbal or written evaluations of our performances, while also completing additional work such as voice tests, language assessments, and any other work deemed suitable for the music we're studying. Students will be evaluated on overall participation in the group, sight-reading, as well as any additional assignments that are created.
Knights Choir
Knights Choir is an intermediate level choir for Tenor and Bass voices in grades 10-12 and meets during the second hour of the school day. Students in this choir will continue to develop a variety of different musical skills that will enable them to set the foundation necessary to being a lifelong musician. These skills include sight-reading, rhythmic analysis, and proper vocal technique. Students will experience music of many styles, languages, genres and difficulty levels while singing in The Knights Choir. They will be expected to perform in concerts and engage in verbal or written evaluations of our performances, while also completing additional work such as voice tests, language assessments, and any other work deemed suitable for the music we're studying. Students will be evaluated on overall participation in the group, sight-reading, as well as any additional assignments that are created.
Cantabile
Cantabile is an introductory choir for treble voices in Grade 9 and meets during the first hour of the school day. Students in this choir will be introduced to music as they learn basic skills that will enable them to set the foundation necessary to being a lifelong musician. These skills include sight-reading, rhythmic analysis, and proper vocal technique. Students will experience music of many styles, languages, genres and difficulty levels while singing in Cantabile. They will be expected to perform in concerts and engage in verbal or written evaluations of our performances, while also completing additional work such as voice tests, language assessments, and any other work deemed suitable for the music we're studying. Students will be evaluated on overall participation in the group, sight-reading, as well as any additional assignments that are created.
Troubadours
Troubadours is an introductory choir for tenor and bass voices in Grade 9 and meets during the first hour of the school day. Students in this choir will be introduced to music as they learn basic skills that will enable them to set the foundation necessary to being a lifelong musician. These skills include sight-reading, rhythmic analysis, and proper vocal technique. Students will experience music of many styles, languages, genres and difficulty levels while singing in Troubadours. They will be expected to perform in concerts and engage in verbal or written evaluations of our performances, while also completing additional work such as voice tests, language assessments, and any other work deemed suitable for the music they are studying. Students will be evaluated on overall participation in the group, sight-reading, as well as any additional assignments that are created.
About the Conductors
Joseph Osowski is one of two choral directors at St. Michael – Albertville High School. He holds a Masters of Music Degree in Music Education from North Dakota State University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Vocal Music Education from the same institution.
At STMA High School, Osowski directs three curricular ensembles and one co-curricular ensembles. Mr. Osowski is also the conductor of Bring the Sing, a community singing initiative sponsored by Classical Minnesota Public Radio, and Director of the Central Choir at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Previously, Osowski served as Choral Director in the Worthington and Anoka – Hennepin School Districts. He also has served as Choral Director at Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka, Minnesota, First United Methodist Church in Worthington, Minnesota, Artistic Director of the East Central Minnesota Chorale and the Worthington Chamber Singers. He was a staff member of the René Clausen Choral School.
Osowski is in demand as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator. He has served in these roles throughout the Midwest and Central America. Osowski is an active member of the Minnesota Music Educators Association and the American Choral Directors Association, most recently serving as the Northeast District Chair for ACDA-MN.
Joseph Osowski received nominations as a Minnesota Teacher of the Year Candidate in 2016 and 2024 by Education Minnesota and was selected as a conducting delegate representing the United States for the 2017 International Conductors Exchange Program sponsored by the American Choral Directors Association. Joseph lives in Albertville with his Wife, Erin, a fellow Choral Music Educator and their two cats, Gus and Joey.
Paige Armstrong is an accomplished conductor, teacher, and singer. In 2019, she graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting and received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Luther College in 2012.
In addition to her teaching, she serves as the Artistic Director of the Edina Chorale and the Chancel Choir Director at Richfield United Methodist Church. She has been a member of The Singers-MN Choral Artists since 2012 and the soprano section leader since 2019.
In 2022, Paige was a finalist in the EGS-MN (Edvard Grieg Society of MN) Advanced Artist voice competition and in 2015 she was awarded first place in the graduate division of the NATS-MN competition and the divisional MTNA Young Artists vocal competition. In 2013, Paige won first place in the National ACDA Undergraduate Conducting Competition.
In addition to her current teaching position, she has also taught elementary, middle, and high school vocal and general music in public schools throughout the greater twin cities. She lives in St. Paul with her wonderful husband, Josh, and her fur babies Barry (the one-eyed dog) and Dexter (the cranky, orange cat).
Emma Silvestri serves as a choir teacher at St. Michael-Albertville High School, and St. Michael-Albertville Middle School East. At the High School level, she co-teaches 9-12th grade choirs with Mr. Joe Osowski and Ms. Paige Armstrong, and at the Middle School level, she co-teaches 5-6th grade choirs with Miss Ansley Cameron. She also sings as a cantor on Sundays at St. Barnabas Lutheran Church in Plymouth.
Emma grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, where her love for music was ignited singing in the Lawrence Children's Choir Choristers. Emma holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Music Education from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. During her 4 years at St. Olaf College, she sang with the Manitou Singers, The St. Olaf Chamber Singers, Agnes A Cappella, and The St. Olaf Choir, where she also proudly served as President in her senior year. Emma also enjoys singing with Magnum Chorum as an Alto.
Previously, Emma has taught music at First English Lutheran Church in Faribault, as well as private voice lessons. She is involved as a member of the American Choral Directors' Association, where she was nominated as a Student Conductor in the 2024 Summer Dialogue Conference. During her time at St. Olaf, she served as the Secretary, and later President of the Student ACDA Chapter.
In the little free time she enjoys as a new teacher, Emma enjoys reading a good book out on the patio, cooking yummy foods, and watching movies or playing games with her friends.