Encouraging a musical passion

Kelly planned to major in international business and French. She also knew that she wanted to be involved in the music program in some way. Kelly had taken piano lessons and vocal lessons throughout her childhood, and she didn’t want to completely turn away from what had been such a big part of her life.

“I really didn’t plan on majoring in music,” she explained. “I had briefly considered being a vocal performance major, but then decided on business and French. I thought I’d just sing in the chorus.”

It was during orientation that Kelly met with faculty members in the Department of Music to discuss how she could include music in her studies. They encouraged her to take a selection of classes her first few semesters that would make more opportunities available to her, regardless if she decided to major in music or not.

Music theory was a topic of several courses that Kelly took her first two semesters in school and, she admits, she wasn’t a big fan. “Somehow it seemed that those music theory classes took the feelings out of the music for me,” she says, “but in the third semester of theory, something happened and I just fell in love with it.”

So who is her favorite composer? “Definitely Igor Stravinsky,” Kelly says. “He’s a great influence on me. His style changed a lot throughout his career, so there was a lot of variety in his music. I like his style. I like changes in patterns and systems.”

In May, Kelly will receive a BS in business administration, with a second major in music that includes an emphasis in music theory and composition. The Department of Music and Arts & Sciences helped Kelly think through her program of studies and worked with her to ensure it included music because she was truly passionate about it.

“I was so glad that I talked to them (Department of Music) when I first came,” she says. “It really helped me keep my options open. It’s a great department and the faculty members are really supportive.

“I’ve learned so much more about music,” she adds. “I’ll leave here loving it more than ever.”

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