For sophomore James Chang, there’s nothing like an orchestra. His greatest dream, he said, is to become a world famous conductor.
“To be able to create music with a large number of talented people, to share music with a large audience, to instill your own interpretations and perspectives into that music – it’s just one of the grandest and realest things,” said Chang, who plays the violin and piano. “But it’s so damn impractical.”
The impracticalities of a music career, Chang said, persuaded him to follow his science and math interests and enroll in McCormick as a biomedical engineering major. He joined the Philharmonia, NU’s performance ensemble for students from any school. But this year, Chang’s passion led him to declare a second major, musicology, in Bienen.
About two thirds of music majors pursue a double major or five-year double degree, said Dr. Linda Ann Garton, assistant dean of Bienen. Still, she said Bienen is “very open,” offering private lessons for credit and six specifically non-major courses, according to the Bienen website.
“We’re part of Northwestern, which is a large, comprehensive research university,” Garton said. “Students should have opportunities to be exposed to as many things as we can provide.”
But while Chang called Philharmonia a “fantastic experience,” he said without a music major he felt closed off from opportunities like classes and practice spaces. The Music Administration Building is only open to students enrolled in Bienen classes or private lessons, Garton said.
“The thing about having a good music school at Northwestern is that you have so many resources and at the same time, so many good students who need to use those resources,” Chang said. “Frequently, they lock off resources to just the music students. I don’t blame them for doing that, but when I came to Northwestern … I was looking forward to accessing some of the resources.”
Like Chang, Medill freshman Tommy Carroll hopes to take on a music major as a percussionist. Carroll has started exploring the extracurricular music scene, from Boomshaka to theater group pit orchestras. Although he said he appreciated Bienen’s open orchestras, Carroll thinks a music major would give him a leg up in auditions for jazz ensembles, which he said usually give majors preference for open slots. An aspiring music journalist, Carroll said he also believes a music major could enhance his writing career.
“As a passion I like music a lot more, but journalism’s definitely something I can depend upon,” Carroll said. “I feel like if I study music, in addition to getting better at playing, I’ll get a better ear for covering musical things.”
Communication sophomore Dylan Pickus, however, isn’t rushing to the registration office. A cellist for 10 years, Pickus said he “briefly considered” a double major but doesn’t think he has the skills to be a professional musician. Pickus participated in the Philharmonia last year but didn’t audition this quarter due to conflicts with his theater rehearsals. Despite the time commitment, Pickus said he loved being a part of Philharmonia.
“It was finding those people who are really good at their instrument but are choosing to pursue something else,” Pickus said. “They were dedicated, but it wasn’t too intense. I never felt like I was in over my head, and we played great music.”
Bienen isn’t just open to instrumental students. Non-majors can also audition for five university choruses and earn half-credits. Although fall auditions already took place, the Women’s Chorus and Chapel Choir – both popular for non-majors – are still recruiting, said Jennifer Kerr Budziak, a doctoral choral conducting student assisting the groups.
“I think there’s sort of a perception around the University that Northwestern has this really fabulous music school and these really fabulous music majors, and nobody but the music majors do anything in the music school,” Budziak said. “We’d love to break open that stereotype. There are so many people who enjoyed choral singing during high school and would like to keep it up in college. And we want to find them and sing with them.”
Weinberg sophomore Roopali Kulkarni sang in the Women’s Chorus last year. Kulkarni said Bienen offers plenty of opportunities for non-music majors; the problem, she said, is that they aren’t advertised well enough. Although she’s taking a break from chorus this quarter because of scheduling conflicts, she said she plans to audition again and may add a music minor.
“Music has been a big part of my life ever since I was little, but my long-term goals include applying to dental school – I was almost forced to choose,” Kulkarni said. “At the same time, I don’t want to lose music in my life.”
As for Chang, the violinist and engineer, he said he probably won’t achieve conducting stardom. Still, he said his McCormick degree could be just as fulfilling.
“I’m doing engineering because I can. Being able to serve the community via tangible applications, in addition to serving music, could be more worthwhile,” he said. “Maybe if I make enough money I could give back to the music community, too.”
