On Thursday, Aug. 29 at 2:00 p.m., the School of Music had an informational meeting for the freshmen and transfer students in the music program. When the first year students went into Kaeuper Hall, they were handed a Statement on Health and Safety and a survey to fill out about themselves and why they came to Millikin and chose music. The Statement on Health and Safety is about taking care of oneself so that one can properly sing or play intruments and is also available on Millikin’s website. This was also a great way for the first year students, as well as any upperclassmen who attended, to get recital attendance.

Dr. Stephen Widenhofer opened the meeting and welcomed all of the first years to Millikin. He encouraged them to fill out the surveys. He also explained the recital hour. It is a good way for music students to get their credits for recital attendance.

Widenhofer began to introduce the faculty in the music building. He introduced Brynn Kickle, who will be taking Nancy Freeman’s place as the Audition Coordinator. He also introduced Melinda Shaw, the Coordinator for Outreach and Community Relations, and Ruth Young, the Financial Coordinator.

Widenhofer also gave the first year students three pieces of advice for the school year. He said, “One: go to class. It’s not inexpensive to go here. We want to help you, but we can’t do that if you’re not here. Two: respect this space. Three: when you get a practice room, practice like there’s no tomorrow.”

The School of Music has 26 full-time faculty members and 33 part-time members. Widenhofer introduced all of the chairs and coordinators of departments in the music program. Each chair introduced the teachers within their departments. The new teachers within the School of Music are Dr. Mark Samples, the new Music History Coordinator, Dr. Joe Matson, a music history professor, Dr. Silvan Negrutiu, the Head of Keyboard Studies and Dr. William Gorton, a new voice teacher and the Assistant Professor of Opera.

At the end of the meeting, Widenhofer allowed presidents of student organizations get up to talk about their organizations. Joe Foltz, a senior vocal music education major, is president of Student ACDA. He told the students that the first meeting would take place on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 8:00 p.m. Danae Peters, a senior commercial music major, got up to speak about Sigma Alpha Iota, women’s music fraternity on campus. Christopher Raymond, a junior instrumental music education major, spoke about Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the men’s music fraternity on campus. Zoey Zara and Emily D’Ambrose spoke about the Alliance for Active Music Making.

It was a very interesting and informative meeting about the School of Music.