Sarah Costello, M.M.

EDUCATION:

• M.M. in Music Education, American Band College – Central Washington University School of Music
• B.A. in Music Education, St. Norbert College

BIOGRAPHY:

Professor Sarah Costello joins the Minnesota State University, Mankato faculty as an Assistant Professor of Music Education and Assistant Director of Athletic Bands. This will be her first year in higher education after teaching 13 years in the public school setting. In her time as a dedicated high school band teacher, she has directed concert band, jazz band, string orchestra, marching band, pep band, pit orchestra and chamber group ensembles. She was awarded the Teacher of the Year award in 2021, a great achievement as someone who persevered and gave wonderful virtual and socially distanced concerts. Costello has performed on clarinet with the St. Norbert College Community Band, Beaver Dam Area Orchestra and Eden Prairie Community Band. Costello studied at St. Norbert College in Wisconsin for her bachelor’s degree in Music Education.  She then attended the American Band College through Central Washington University School of Music to earn her Master of Music in Music Education.  While in this program she was able to study under world renowned composers, conductors and educators such as Robert W. Smith, Frank Ticheli, Johan de Meij, Dr. Cyntha Johnston Turner and Dr. Paula Crider.  She lives with her husband Patrick and their two daughters, Lyana and Emma. They have two pets, a cat named Beau and a bird hunting dog named Mozart. They love spending time outdoors by visiting parks, going camping, biking and swimming. They enjoy playing cards and games and visiting their family in Wisconsin.

COURSES TAUGHT:

• Maverick Machine Band
• Jazz Mavericks
• General Music K-12
• General Music Lab

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

• Women and underrepresented composers
• Conducting pedagogy and baton techniques
• Ethnomusicology
• Music classroom pedagogy techniques