Kelso Daning '13
Major Music Education, Instrumental & VocalResidence Bristol, Ind.
Leadership
- NAfME Collegiate President
- Band President
- Choir Vice-President & Librarian
- Music Dept. Assistant
- Drumline Captain
- Director, Puma Pounders
- Percussion Ensemble
What experience/s have you appreciated most in the SJC Music Department/musical involvement on campus?
I love being a part of band and choir because we participate in so many of the on-campus events, such as football and basketball games, pep rallies, or singing for special masses and other events. And on top of that, we do our own shows and concerts, so we are constantly performing and staying involved. I also enjoyed this past summer, 2011 because two students--myself and Krishanna Baker, along with Professors Kelly Ford and Robb Thiel, renovated the Music Department. This was one of my prouder moments--to be involved with music on campus because now I have an invested time and interest in the betterment of it.
How does Core integrate with your Music major - i.e., do you have stories/experiences of interest?
I always go out of my way to bring musical relevance to my Core classes. Sometimes it's easier than others, for instance when we had two entire lectures about music during Core 2 and Core 4. But I like involving my discipline as much as I can. In the Science Cores, I thought about music when we talked about waves, and in my Culture Core, India, I did my research paper/presentation on the music of India. I think involving your own discipline like this is important because it keeps you interested and you will always learn more about your major and yourself that you otherwise wouldn't have.
How prepared do you feel for employment following graduation?
I am excited to graduate soon and get out into the real world, because I do feel extremely prepared, even only being a junior at the moment. I feel like a combination of our great Music professors--Ford, Thiel and Geraci--and our Education Department allowing us actual classroom time has helped me be prepared for almost any situation, and class, any grade level. I am looking forward to teaching.
What advice would you give to a prospective student looking to major in Music at SJC?
Music at SJC is so involving that even if you want to be lazy, you just can't be. Being such a small campus, we rely on everyone to take part in things, and that creates a great sense of unity in the department. And at SJC, you can jump in right away with all the activities. I'll use myself for example. As only a junior here, I am the assistant in the department, meaning I get my own little student office to work on things the Department needs, such as copying papers/music, keeping things tidy, and organizing the choir music. I am also the Choir President, the President of our chapter of the National Association for Music Education, Captain of the drumline, director/arranger for our percussion ensemble, called the "Puma Pounders," and the Band Vice President. It is so easy to get involved here at SJC, and so much fun at the same time. I would easily recommend this school to anyone who is seriously considering music as a major.
