Student artists and bands regularly perform at events like Spring Day.
Credit: Todd Anderbyrne

Musichas long been an important part of student life at Beloit College. As evidence, consider theFolk ‘n’ Blues Festival, organized annually by students for over 50 years, and the iconicC-Haus, founded in the early 1970s and host to an active lineup of live music.

Today, opportunities to experiment with music are also nurtured at the college’sMaple Street Recording StudioandTV & Media Lab, while themusic departmentoffers a rich array ofcourses, including lessons and ensembles, for both majors and non-majors.

No wonder the music department’s tagline is “Connect music to your life.”

To that end, the department not only offers scholarships but takes an expansive approach to awarding them. “Majoring or minoring in music is not required,” says music department chairDaniel Barolsky. Instead, students can meet the scholarship requirement by taking lessons or participating in an ensemble. The goal: invite contribution to music on campus.

Further, scholarship recipients are not required to continue with the instrument or vocal style used to audition. Explains Barolsky, “Students’ musical interests evolve. Our scholarship program supports that.”

Departmentfacultyactively seek to accommodate students’ interests. For example, while none specialize in rap, interested students can work with voice faculty to improve their technique, while faculty in theEnglish departmentcan help them strengthen their writing.

The approach benefits a wide range of student interests and backgrounds, as illustrated by two current students.

生长在岩石山,SC,凯尔Springs-McCottry 25played football throughout high school. He also played trombone in the marching band during varsity games as a first-year and sophomore, then in the band in the spring off season as a junior and senior.

When it came to college, football and trombone remained priorities.Affordabilityalso mattered.

Today, as a defensive lineman at Beloit,Kyle’s taking on leadership roles within thefootball team. “Beloit is welcoming,” Kyle says. Not only did members of the football team greet him when he visited campus before enrolling, but coaches reassured him he’d be able to play as a first-year student. “That meant a lot to me,” Kyle says.

Amusic scholarshipwas also reassuring. It would not only help make attending Beloit affordable, but signaled that Beloit was serious about making music possible for all interested students. In fact, to accommodate Kyle’s athletics, his trombone teacher,John Biester, has scheduled their lessons on Sunday evenings. With Biester’s encouragement, Kyle has also joined thewind ensemble. Community members who play in the ensemble are now part of his network of contacts.

Other faculty have also embraced him. Says Kyle, “Professors in thehistory departmenthave really encouraged me. I may major in history.”Journalismis also a possibility. “Shawn Gillen告诉我我有一个声音。这是伟大的get that kind of feedback.”

Sam Gomoll’24 took a different path to Beloit. Unlike Kyle, his musical interests were not supported by his high school. A friend of his father’s pointed him to Beloit, where his interests would be. “Check out Beloit,” he was advised. “The music scene there is crazy.”

Junior Sam Gomoll was drawn to Beloit by the ability to live in campus housing with other musicians, as well as take classes in music history, recording, and theory.

Sam applied and when he visited, “Beloit clicked.” He says. “The atmosphere, people, buildings.” Music House, acampus residence, was also a big draw; he’d be able to live with other musicians. Other plusses:Maple Street Studioand a course insound recording. Both suited Sam’s interests in writing and makingmusic.

Since enrolling, Sam’s experience at Beloit has been even better than he anticipated.

“Beloit has been incredibly supportive. After studying withIan Nieat Maple Street, during the pandemic lockdown, I set up a studio in my dorm room and recorded a record. Yvonne Wu helped me think outside the box in terms of hearing music, and Daniel Barolsky taught me to think differently about music, including the role of race.”

Another benefit: “Faculty won’t let you fail,” says Sam.

Sam’s career plans: “Write as much music with as many people as possible. Have a steady job that permits music on the side.”

AddsBrian Morello, director of Beloit’sCenter for Entrepreneurship, where the Maple Street Studio is housed. “Music is not only alive at Beloit College and in the surrounding community, but we’ve got the infrastructure and know-how to help you make music a part of your life both while you are in college and afterward.”