Throughout the month of February, the music department is hosting a series of four master classes, featuring several faculty members and an alumnus, as part of the annual February Music Sweeps. They are held every Monday of the month at 3 p.m. in McInnis Auditorium and admission is free. These provide an opportunity to see into the mind of a performer and learn more about why they are committed to the music they make. Musicians and music-lovers alike will find their appreciation and knowledge of music enhanced by these events.

The series began on Feb. 1 with Erikson Rojas, a member of Eastern’s piano faculty, who held an open discussion on greatness in music. His discussion was bookended by performances of two Samuel Hsu pieces for piano, both of which were based on hymns and modeled after the style of two great composers, Debussy and Chopin. The following week, Nimrod Speaks, another faculty member, gave a master class on the double bass.

There are two master classes remaining in February. The first is on Feb. 15, featuring Young-Ah Tak, another member of Eastern’s piano faculty. The series will conclude on Feb. 22, when Eastern Alumnus Kyle Herman (’07) will share what he has learned about the music business from his work at Theodore Presser Company and J.W. Pepper. The Eastern University Music Department invites all who are interested in growing in their appreciation of music to join us.

As autumn is now upon us, we remember what is good and beautiful when we see the handiwork of our Creator in the leaves changing color and their decoration of our famously beautiful campus. As our university goes through a time of anxiety and change, the student body and the campus at large needs to bind itself intentionally around such reminders of what is good and beautiful.

Music has always been essential for worship. Saint Augustine said, “I realize that when [the words of the liturgy] are sung these sacred words stir my mind to greater religious fervor and kindle in me a more ardent form of piety than they would if they were not sung.”  Because music plays such a key role in the worship of God, a Christian institution should devote itself to the creation, preservation, and enjoyment of music. Such a commitment should be taken seriously by all who proclaim faith in our Creator God.

In light of the importance of music in worship and our well-being, the music department has decided to form a Music Guild. The leaders of the Guild intend to find ways and create opportunities for the student body to come together and delight in the beauty of music as a means of worship to our Creator and a channel of peace. Presidents Andy Lenko and Rebecca Lehman, vice-president CheyAnne Bigley, treasurer Scott Carr, Jr., and secretary Sarah Schulman lead the Guild.

The Guild will be hosting monthly showcases, which will feature students that are taking lessons with music faculty. The first showcase will be Thurs., Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Fowler Great Room. The Guild will also host “pop-up” performances throughout the semester, with the aim of providing quality music throughout campus. In November, they will host a songwriting contest. Details on the contest will be announced at a later date.  A bi-monthly newsletter will also be available to inform students of upcoming events. The first public meeting of the Guild, which is open to all students, was held in Workman 202, on the second floor of the music building, on Thurs., Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. During that time, the leadership announced the details of their plan and discussed with students further opportunities for on campus engagement. The hope for the Guild is that through these events, the student body will come to understand and support musical creativity and use these events as a reason to enjoy the good and beautiful.