From the wings: A look into the USUE Music Program
Utah State University Eastern’s music program just finished its Spring Sing concert. The concert included the Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and Castle Valley Orchestra. The program was a tribute to the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Featuring songs from American history performed by groups individually and together.
The concert was a culmination of a full semester’s worth of effort. I am part of the music program myself, even though I am not a music major. I enjoyed the turnout of people who came to support us at our show. Every Wednesday this semester I have been going to the concert choir practice and getting to present that work really made the semester fulfilling. This semester, there were only two major performances: the spring sing and the sing for commencement. Even though I only had two opportunities to sing publicly, the effort never slacked off. We really wanted to perform at our best, not just good enough.
The music program here at USUE offers a few group classes like group piano, concert choir, chamber choir and orchestra. Individual instruction is also offered through the teachers, Larry Martin, for vocal instruction, and Elise Tuttle, for piano instruction. This year I have taken concert choir, group piano, and individual vocal instruction. I have really enjoyed all three of these classes and the teachers are excellent. In my individual vocal instruction class I have really enjoyed the nuance that Martin brings to every lesson. I felt that each lesson was tailored to my abilities and helped me grow significantly throughout the year.
Martin was asked what the music program’s future goals are. “Our vision is to make music an integral part of the daily student experience on campus,” Martin responded. “We want every student at USUE—whether they are a nursing, welding, or education major—to feel that the music department is a place where they can find a creative outlet and a second home. By strengthening our presence on campus through frequent performances and collaborative projects, we also aim to serve as a cultural bridge for the wider community. We hope to see the music department become a primary gathering place where students and local residents come together to share in the transformative power of live performance.” Another great benefit for students is that the music program offers even non-music majors a chance to earn a scholarship for performing with it.
Tuttle was asked what her hopes for the Utah State Eastern Music Program are. “My future hope is that music will continue to thrive at USUE,” Tuttle responded. “I hope the music program will grow and be a rewarding outlet for even more students. There is a lot of joy and fulfillment in learning to sing or play a musical instrument. It also unites the community and the university in a way few other things can.” One unique way that the music program unites the community and the university is that in the concert choir and the Castle Valley orchestra, members of the community are welcome to come sing and perform with the choir and orchestra. To me, this gave the choir a very unique sense of belonging; everyone was welcome, and the class had a lot of fun. Martin also commented on the community aspect when asked about his favorite part of the music program. “The sense of community,” Martin responded. “Because of our size, faculty and students form a very tight-knit bond. There is a unique dedication here; students aren’t just names in a ledger—they are collaborators who are genuinely invested in the success of every performance.”
Tuttle was also asked what her favorite part of the music program is. “My favorite part is connecting with students and seeing them progress,” Tuttle replied, “Because of the nature of my classes, I get to do a lot of one-on-one teaching. I really enjoy that. I also love to make music with others. Being the collaborative pianist for the choirs for so many years has given me the opportunity to make many happy memories.” Tuttle is the instructor for group piano, another one of the classes that I have taken this semester. I truly enjoyed the structure of the class and the amount of time that I got to work on pieces that I enjoy. The group piano class is a great class for beginners and experienced pianists alike. The class starts where each student is and helps them build on what they know. I have actually taken this class twice now and each time was super helpful and I was able to keep growing.
Chamber choir is different in that it is an audition student only class. Martin was asked about the goals of the chamber choir. “The goal is to perform more complex, often a cappella, literature and to serve as an ambassador for the university at high-profile events and tours.” Martin also commented, “This ensemble focuses on artistic excellence and versatility.” Our chamber choir is often pretty small compared to other schools, but that did not take anything away from their performance in the concert. If interested in auditioning for the chamber choir, students should contact Martin at [email protected] to set up an audition. Martin commented on the audition process, saying, “It is designed to be a positive experience rather than intimidating.” In an audition, be generally prepared to have your vocal range checked, do a sight-reading exercise, and have a preprepared song to sing.
Tuttle was asked the best way for students to get involved with the music program. “Students can best be involved by just showing up,” Tuttle replied. “Walk through the CIB, ask questions and see what we have to offer. Because we have a small campus, there is a place for anyone and everyone who wants to be involved. Just come. Come, and bring your friends with you.” I can agree. The professors and the students in the music program have been great and very welcoming. If you are in town and looking to meet the professors, their offices are on the first floor of the CIB in the hallway behind the grey double doors next to the practice rooms. The music program has been an incredible creative outlet for me, and I often found myself heading to the practice rooms throughout the year just to work on a song. It was a great way to take a break from studying and fun to work on something that I am passionate about, despite not being a music major myself.
