7 Reasons Why I Chose To Study Music At Hastings College
Start writing a post
Entertainment

7 Reasons Why I Chose To Study Music At Hastings College

To my family at Fuhr Hall.

60
7 Reasons Why I Chose To Study Music At Hastings College
Hastings College Department of Music

Since I was a child, I knew I wanted to be a musician. I’ve always enjoyed making up songs, singing (even though I’m not very good at it), and playing various instruments in elementary school music. I was in 4th grade when I got my first cello. That was when my grandma told me that I could go to college on a cello scholarship, since not a lot of people play it. It became a dream come true when I auditioned for a music scholarship here at Hastings my senior year of high school, and was awarded $5,000. Of course, I didn’t choose to come here just for the money. Hastings College is a pretty pricey penny. Here are the seven reasons why I chose to pursue my career in music here at HC.

1.The amazing faculty.

The music faculty at Hastings are incredibly talented, intelligent, caring professors. I look up to them with the utmost respect. The professors really want to help me grow as a student, and as a musician. Under Dr. Jensen’s teaching, I’ve grown exponentially as a cellist in my year and a half here. And now under Dr. Baxter, I expect to continue that trend. Additionally, the faculty really care about you as a person. My freshman year, I had a major depressive episode, and it was my class piano teacher, Cindy Murphy, who reached out to me and encouraged me to start seeing the counselors on campus. During my senior year of high school, I got to sit in on Dr. Rhodes’ Medieval/Renaissance music history course and immediate fell in love with the subject. Now I’m taking the Romantic/20th Century course, and I’m loving every minute of it.

2. The friendly atmosphere.

When I toured Hastings and was greeted by my friendly guide, she told me that she was involved with music and theatre and that she loved it. This absolutely helped me decide that pursuing music at Hastings would be a good choice. While she showed me around campus, everyone we ran into was friendly and seemed happy to see a prospective student. When I started school the fall of 2015, I made my own group of friends who I love dearly. I can’t imagine a world without them. They’ve helped me get through difficult times, and I greatly appreciate everything they’ve done for me.

3. The class size.

I came from a large high school, with approximately 500-odd people in my graduating class. I knew that if I went to a large school like UNL, I’d get lost in a sea of people. That’s why I like that at Hastings, my classes have at most about 15 people in them. In fact, my instrumental conducting class only has two other students besides myself. I love the small class sizes because I know the education I’m getting can be more personalized. I’m not just a dot in the back of a 200-seat lecture hall, the professors actually know my name.

4. The scholarship opportunities.

As I mentioned above, going to school on a music scholarship has been a dream of mine. I knew Hastings College was expensive, but when I found out how much scholarship money I was awarded for talent and academics, as well as a few need-based scholarships, I was blown away.

5. Opportunities to get involved.

There's so many ensembles here at Hastings: band, choir, bell choir, vocal jazz choir, jazz band, orchestra, a new, student-led mariachi band, and a Capella groups. There's also Sigma Alpha Iota, a national music sorority, and Sinfonia, a national music fraternity. I’m involved in the Hastings Symphony Orchestra, and the Hastings College Bell Choir. I joined bell choir my freshman year, and found something I love. Before coming to Hastings, I had no idea how to ring handbells. I didn't even know bell choirs existed. But since joining, I've been on two tours, and made new friends.

6. Everyone is treated like family.

Fuhr Hall has become my home away from home. Between classes and the many hours of practicing, I spend my time hanging out with my friends in the lounge, doing homework or joking around. Even in times of adversity, the students, faculty, and staff that make up the music department band together and offer support and encouragement. I couldn't ask for a better second family.

7. It just seemed right.

The moment I stepped on campus in October 2015, for my tour of campus, I knew this was the place I wanted to be. It was a nice, warm, sunny day. The campus looked beautiful. Everyone I met was friendly and answered all of my questions. As I walked around on my tour, I could picture myself walking around campus as a student. It was a wonderful experience. I toured Nebraska Wesleyan in November, and it was a less than pleasant experience. It was a cold, rainy day, but despite the weather I just didn't feel like I would do well there. When I toured Hastings, I got to meet with professors from both the music and theatre departments. But when I toured Wesleyan, I didn't get to do that because they all had classes. I felt like I wasn't important enough for them to take time out of their day. It was a huge factor in my decision to go Hastings. I'm so glad I made the right choice.

My experience at Hastings College has been amazing. I love all my professors and my friends. For any prospective students, no matter what your major, Hastings College is an experience like no other, and you will be so glad that you came.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

21 EDM Songs for a Non-EDM Listener

Ever wanted to check out EDM music, but didn't know where to start? Look no further! Start here.

1268
21 EDM Songs for a Non-EDM Listener
www.wallpapersafari.com

If you have been following me for a long time, then you know I write about two main things: relateable articles and communication media based articles. Now, it is time for me to combine the two. For those of you that don't know, I am a radio DJ at IUP, and I DJ for a show called BPM (Beats Per Minute). It is an EDM, or electronic dance music, based show and I absolutely love it.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

100 Reasons to Choose Happiness

Happy Moments to Brighten Your Day!

20858
A man with a white beard and mustache wearing a hat

As any other person on this planet, it sometimes can be hard to find the good in things. However, as I have always tried my hardest to find happiness in any and every moment and just generally always try to find the best in every situation, I have realized that your own happiness is much more important than people often think. Finding the good in any situation can help you to find happiness in some of the simplest and unexpected places.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

6 Things Owning A Cat Has Taught Me

This one's for you, Spock.

7739
6 Things Owning A Cat Has Taught Me
Liz Abere

Owning a pet can get difficult and expensive. Sometimes, their vet bills cost hundreds of dollars just for one visit. On top of that, pets also need food, a wee wee pad for a dog, a litter box with litter for a cat, toys, and treats. Besides having to spend hundreds of dollars on them, they provide a great companion and are almost always there when you need to talk to someone. For the past six years, I have been the proud owner of my purebred Bengal cat named Spock. Although he's only seven years and four months old, he's taught me so much. Here's a few of the things that he has taught me.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Kinder Self - Eyes

You're Your Own Best Friend

8816
Kinder Self - Eyes
Pexels

It's fun to see all of the selfies on social media, they are everywhere. I see pictures with pouty lips, duck lips and pucker lips. I see smokey eyes, huge fake lashes and nicely done nose jobs, boob jobs and butt lifts. Women working out in spandex, tiny tops and flip flops. I see tight abs and firm butts, manicured nails and toes, up dos and flowing hair. "Wow", I think to myself," I could apply tons of make-up, spend an hour on my hair, pose all day and not look like that. Maybe I need a longer stick!"

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Rap Songs With A Deeper Meaning

Rap is more than the F-bomb and a beat. Read what artists like Fetty, Schoolboy Q, Drake, and 2Pac can teach you.

26348
Rap artist delivers performance on stage
Photo by Chase Fade on Unsplash

On the surface, rap songs may carry a surface perception of negativity. However, exploring their lyrics reveals profound hidden depth.Despite occasional profanity, it's crucial to look beyond it. Rap transcends mere wordplay; these 25 song lyrics impart valuable life lessons, offering insights that extend beyond the conventional perception of rap music.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments