Spotlight on Eastern’s music major: Joe Walsh

Joe Walsh is a music education major at Eastern University. Despite being a sophomore, Walsh is taking 22 credits while also balancing being an RA, the marching band’s drum major, the woodwinds section leader, a TA, a member of the jazz band, the concert band, the sax trio and the music department technology assistant. If you have been involved in any ensemble here at Eastern then you have most likely met Walsh. If not, then you have most likely seen him on stage, heard his music coming from Fowler, or said hi to him at the RA desk. Growing up Walsh has always loved music. He started playing saxophone in 4^th grade and has been in bands ever since. He also joined the school choir from 4^th to 7^th grade. But high school was the place that solidified his decision to be a music education major. His high school band director, Ben Vinci, was one of the people who had the biggest impact on his decision. He was the one who Walsh said “made me love music, especially jazz music. I want to be like him by having that same impact he had on me on future students.” Vinci wasn’t the only reason he decided to become a music major. When asked about his other experiences that led to his decision he replied “I have loved music and education separately for a long time, and in high school I had a chance to combine them by teaching some individual saxophone lessons. This made me feel fulfilled and like I was having a positive impact on others.”

There were many reasons why Walsh chose Eastern University, but one of the main reasons was the music department. Walsh came for a tour of EU after a recommendation by his aforementioned high school band director. After touring the music program and meeting some of the faculty, he made his decision. “It just screams family,” is what Walsh said after his tour. It’s always been important for him to have a tight knit community in his life and “Eastern was the place for that.” When asked who his favorite professor in the music department was, he replied, “how can I pick only one? All of them are amazing.”

         But it can be stressful to be involved in so many different activities on campus while attending classes. In the music department alone Walsh is involved in the Eastern University Marching Band, the Eastern Sax Trio, the Jazz Band, the Concert Band, and he’s the woodwind section leader as well as the music department technology assistant. Outside of the music department Joe is also a TA for Professor Baker’s INST-150 section and an RA for Kea 2nd North. This busy schedule is not for the weak. Walsh has taken time over the past two years to learn how to balance this seemingly hectic schedule. “Time management is a huge key,” he shares, “setting aside time each day for practicing and homework helps me manage this busy schedule.” In order to be involved in the music department you don’t have to join everything Joe is involved in. He says, “you don’t even have to be a music major to be part of the music department.”

         You can even join many of these programs without experience. “It is super easy to join university choir without any previous experience. The [music department] faculty all love teaching and will even help you learn a brand-new instrument.” Walsh highlighted his experience in marching band to show this point. “I had never participated in a marching band before this year, but Dr. Kate was willing to help show me the ropes and teach me to be the Drum Major.” If you’re interested in joining any of the music department activities or ensembles, then Joe is the person to talk to. He says, “we can always use more musicians.” While these programs and activities can count for class credit, you can also join if you already have a full schedule credit-wise. Walsh takes 18 credits a semester in music and education classes, but he still participates in all the ensembles.

         Even with his busy schedule, Walsh still finds time to listen to his favorite music. One of his favorite albums is “Smokin’ in the Pit” by Steps (Ahead). Walsh is a big jazz fan and loves “anything even slightly jazz.” Another one of his favorite jazz albums is “Vista Chinesa” by Baptiste Herbin. “I recommend everyone give listening to jazz a try,” he says, “It can make you feel something you’ve never felt before.” Since he plays the baritone, tenor, alto and soprano saxophones, as well as piano and clarinet, he loves to listen to his native instruments in these songs. 

When asked why he loves music so much Walsh gave a heartfelt response: “I love music because it’s a universal language. I can enjoy music from any part of the world and feel the same emotions it evokes for other people without needing to know the language they speak.”