Sarah Costello

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 is the Assistant Professor of Music Education, Director of Jazz and Co-Director of Athletic Bands. Sarah spent 13 years teaching in the public school setting before coming to Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2024. 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. 

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