The music department has always been a place of acceptance, inclusion and inspiration for musicians of all ages. Closing out the fall term, the music department ended another successful semester showcasing musical talent at Drew.
Friday kicked off with Music After Noon, an event showcasing the talent of students taking Drew’s vocal and instrumental lessons. The event, previously called Music At Noon, is now held at 3 p.m. to be more accessible and accommodating to individuals’ schedules.
Drew’s Choral Union and Chorale held their concert on Saturday night. Both are soprano, alto, tenor and bass groups that feature both men and women. Choral Union features Drew students as well as community members while Chorale is a smaller auditioned ensemble.
As Professor Sarah Michal, the choirs’ conductor, said during the concert, “Choral Union is open to everybody, everybody. Students who don’t want to audition, faculty members, staff, members of the community…If you’re free on Tuesday nights, this chorus is open for you!”
She added, “I believe deeply that if you can talk, you can sing.”
The choirs were accompanied by guest violinist Professor Michael Avagliano (who typically plays in Drew’s orchestra) and pianist Robert Colby-Witanek.
Sunday saw the most traffic throughout the Drew Concert Hall. At 3 p.m. the Drew University Flute Ensemble performed. Then at 7:30 p.m., the Drew Orchestra played, performing works such as music from “The Nutcracker.”
Drew’s Orchestra practices as a class but is also home to community members in addition to Drew students. The Orchestra features many types of musicians including the strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion sections.
“The orchestra is a place to feel at home,” said cellist Jason Velder (‘25). “It is a place where we can casually play our instruments comfortably. No need to be a music major!”
The music groups at Drew welcome music majors, musicians not majoring or minoring in music and even those not attending Drew at all. After all, Drew promotes the message that music is for all.
At 7 p.m. on Monday, the Concert Hall premiered Drew composers Joey Best (‘24), Rachel Cabrera (‘25), Jenni Grafilo (‘25), Kristy Hand (‘25), Brynn McCarthy (‘25), Josh Soiferman (‘25) and Zhaoyi Yue (‘26). Under the direction of Dr. Trevor Weston, these students from the MUS 260: Music Composition class composed various pieces in preparation for this showcase.
The concert was divided into two parts and featured a reception afterward. First came the world premiere of the choral works of Drew composers, sung by the professional choir group Convoco. Following this, Convoco performed various pieces composed by ensemble members.
Hand, who is a soprano in Choral Union and Chorale as well as one of the featured composers this week, praised the Drew music community. “The music community is relatively small, so almost all of the music majors/minors know each other,” she said. “And it’s awesome because you have a friend in almost every class. It is also really welcoming, so any music subject you take part in, people will talk to you.”
Lastly, on Wednesday, the jazz ensemble performed at 7 p.m.
As Professor Sarah Michal stated at Saturday’s concert, “I believe that making music together in a community is the way to make the world a better place…this is what I love, so this is what I do; and this is what we love, this is what we do.”
Music is meant for everyone. And at Drew, if music is your passion, you have a home here within the Drew music department.
Shannon Thoma is a senior majoring in English literature and political science.
Featured image courtesy of Pexels.com.
