Mary Jo Bot is Conductor of the Women's Choir at St. Cloud State University (SCSU). In 2013, Ms. Bot was honored with the Presidents’ Civic Engagement Steward Award from Minnesota Campus Compact for her work at SCSU producing “Her Story, Her Song,” an annual community event combining music, service, and community outreach. Under her direction, the SCSU Women's Choir has played an integral role in "Her Story, Her Song." This highly regarded concert has become a model of collaboration and community outreach and provides students with valuable opportunities for service learning. In 2008, “Her Story, Her Song” received the Distinguished Community Service Award from the St. Cloud Children’s Home for their associated community engagement activities. Her students have also received awards for presentations related to their community engagement activities.
As someone who is passionate about community engagement and the enhanced learning that follows, Ms. Bot has been invited to give presentations at conferences and for community groups on the integration of community engagement activities in the choral classroom. She is committed to providing meaningful musical experiences, which empower students to realize their potential to be of service to others and challenge them to be responsible citizens of the world.
Ms. Bot has significant experience with arts administration and with community youth choral programs, having spent time as Director of the SCSU Music Prep Program, Assistant Conductor of Cantabile Girls’ Choir, Junior Varsity Conductor of the St. John’s Boys’ Choir, and as a board member for the Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota. She also receives frequent invitations to serve as conductor and clinician for women’s and youth choirs in Minnesota.
Ms. Bot holds a Master of Science Degree in Conducting & Repertoire and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from St. Cloud State University.
As an active member of the American Choral Director's Association (ACDA), Ms. Bot has served ACDA of Minnesota as the Standards and Repertoire Chair for Women's Choirs and as Northwest District Chair.