Music makers For some students, music is a creative outlet. For others, it’s something that soothes and relaxes. Still others utilize it as a tool to help them stay focused. by abby wilson pfeiffer ’10 photography by duane zehr
Jared Bartman ’10 kicked off his
2012 East Coast tour at Dingeldine Music Center, Bradley’s concert performance facility. He is accompanied by 20,000 Leagues Under the String Quartet, a string ensemble made up of students.
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Bradley’s music program is structured so music and non-music majors can participate and receive credit for creating melodies and harmonies without financial burden. If participation gives students more than a full course load (16 hours), they don’t have to pay fees for taking more hours to participate in a music ensemble. As a result, about 10 percent of Bradley’s 5,200 undergraduates participate in a music program, and 300 more choose to take music appreciation each year to fulfill a general education requirement. Still others attend the regular concerts and recitals, featuring both students and faculty, which are free to students. “One of the reasons that we have such a variety of ensembles is so we can offer students opportunities that take different amounts of time,” said Dr. David Vroman, chairman of the music department. “Not all universities are able to structure the program in a way that doesn’t require students to pay for an overload. We encourage students to stay involved so they don’t come here and quit their music participation from high school.” And the possibilities are nearly endless. BETH BOUDREAU ’12 received her degree in biochemistry in May and played the French horn in Symphonic Winds and Basketball Band all four years of college. “Music gave me a break from my biochemistry classes, and it’s nice to use the other half of my brain,” she said. Some students choose to minor in music, like string bass player JUSTIN OMMEN ’14. The mechanical engineering major enjoys the community and
camaraderie found in the department. “There are always people hanging out; there are always people to talk to when you’re in Constance Hall,” he said. “It’s like a big family. There’s a bond that happens from being in rehearsal together four hours a week and taking classes together.” Ommen also notes the talent of the faculty. “I don’t think we as students realize what kind of talent and credentials we have at Bradley,” he said. Read about faculty involvement in the community at bradley.edu/go/ht-musicprofessors.
Bands Vroman conducts three of Bradley’s bands: Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, and Basketball Band. Basketball Band, (above), performs at men’s and women’s home games. The band travels with both teams for Missouri Valley Conference tournaments. Between semesters, the Basketball Band transforms into the Bradley Friends and Family Band, where anyone who plays an instrument is welcome to join in for a few games. “I loved that I could still play in the bands even though I am not a music major,” Boudreau said. “We played a variety of music that I enjoy, and in Basketball Band we always played the most popular tunes.”
Symphony Orchestra The Bradley Symphony Orchestra presents four concerts a year, including a major choral-orchestral work with the Bradley Community Chorus. There are 30 strings and a full complement of winds and percussion. During the school year, the orchestra rehearses two days a week at Westminster Presbyterian Church near campus. The most advanced students from the orchestra also have the opportunity to audition for the Peoria Symphony Orchestra and receive class credit.