Stories

From orchestra and choir to jazz and wind ensemble, Santa Clara’s Music Department gives students across every major a place to keep creating, performing and building community through music.

By Kate Vander Vort ’27

When students picture college life, they often imagine lecture halls, late-night study sessions and busy schedules packed with clubs, internships and assignments. For many, music can start to feel like something left behind after high school unless they choose to major in it. But at Â鶹ŮÀÉ, the Music Department is creating space for students to continue performing and growing as musicians, no matter what they study.

Across orchestra, choir, jazz, and wind ensemble, students in majors ranging from engineering to political science spend their evenings rehearsing, performing and building friendships through music. Faculty members say the department’s goal is to create opportunities for students at any level of involvement, whether they want a rigorous ensemble experience or simply a creative outlet alongside their academics.

“There’s a place for everyone,” says Kylie Bennett ’27, a communications and political science double major and member of Chamber Singers. “Shared creativity is a great way to bring people together, so choir provides the perfect environment to make great friends across all disciplines.”

That accessibility is intentional. According to Scot Hanna-Weir, associate professor and director of choral activities, the department offers ways for students to engage in music without needing to major or minor in it. Concert Choir, for example, requires no audition or previous experience, while Chamber Singers offers a more advanced, audition-based environment for students seeking a greater challenge.

For students in orchestra, flexibility helps make participation manageable alongside demanding academic schedules. Rehearsals are held once a week on Tuesday evenings, allowing students to balance music with classes, homework and extracurricular commitments.

“One thing that makes orchestra manageable is that rehearsals are only once a week,” says Alisa Cheng ’27, an accounting and information systems major. “Having one consistent rehearsal time each week makes it easier for students to plan around their classes, homework, clubs and other commitments.”

The department also works to support students with varying levels of musical experience. Wind Ensemble welcomes performers across a broad range of backgrounds, from students who began playing recently to those with years of experience.

“Every quarter, we prepare a few pieces for a concert in the Mission Church,” says Bianca Schultz ’28, an environmental science and political science double major. “Personally, at the end of each quarter, I feel that I have both grown as an individual musician through the repertoire we practice, and also as a member of the band.”

Jazz students also have opportunities to explore arranging, improvisation and performance in a collaborative environment. Through Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos, students can perform in groups ranging from large ensembles to small combos that emphasize improvisational music and student-created arrangements.

“Students are able to receive instruction that closely fits their current level,” says marketing major Pranav Bhargava ’27. “The professors are great at getting to know their students and giving them materials and opportunities that will allow them to continue to develop their musical skills.”

Performance opportunities throughout the year allow students to share their work with the larger campus community. Ensembles regularly perform in spaces such as the Mission Church and the Music Recital Hall, with concerts that are free for students to attend.

Some performances become especially memorable for students. In Fall Quarter 2024, members of Wind Ensemble performed alongside the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West during a holiday concert in Mayer Theatre. Chamber Singers have also performed at Golden State Warriors games over the past couple years.

For many students, though, the most meaningful part of the experience is the community they find through music.

“Through staying in choir, I’ve met so many of my greatest friends and made some really special memories,” Bennett says. “It’s made my college experience even richer.”

Faculty members hope prospective students understand that continuing music in college does not have to come at the expense of other academic or career goals.

“You can still do this kind of stuff when you come to college,” Hanna-Weir says.