Why Music?
I grew up in a musical family, and I knew from an early age that I wanted to study music. However, it wasn't until I was attending college as a musical theater major that I realized that path wasn't the right fit for me. I shifted my focus, came to Mount Union to study music education, and immediately knew I had found the place where I belonged. For the past 34 years, I have had the privilege of teaching music, continually growing in my understanding of choral pedagogy, and finding joy every day in creating music with my students.
What Makes Mount Union Great?
Mount Union has always been a place where students are encouraged to create their own opportunities. With a strong foundation provided by the university and its professors, students are free to explore new ideas, expand their talents, and pursue experiences that help them grow both personally and professionally. We often say that Mount Union is a "yes" university, and that spirit of encouragement allows students to imagine possibilities and then work with faculty to bring those ideas to life. I love every minute I spend with students, whether watching them gain confidence in their conducting abilities or hearing their voices come together to create beautiful music. It is truly a privilege to spend each day creating and making music together!
Unique Musical Opportunities
For a school the size of Mount Union, our music program offers an impressive variety of musical experiences for our students. Music majors, minors, and participants are eligible for scholarships, and students have many opportunities to stay involved in music while pursuing their academic goals. Instrumentalists may perform in ensembles such as Steel Drum Band, Orchestra, Repertory Strings, Marching Band, and Wind Ensemble, while vocalists may choose one of our four choral ensembles: Concert Choir, Cantus, Voce Bassa, and Kantorei.
Our Concert Choir also enjoys a unique distinction. It is a rare university choir with an endowment fund that provides substantial financial support for international touring. Thanks to the generosity of our donors (particularly Rachel Boyce Lang), the ensemble travels abroad every four years, giving students the extraordinary opportunity to represent Mount Union through music on the international stage.