Our student body does not lack a passion for music, even if right now there are few opportunities or places to cultivate it.,”The Oct. 23 staff editorial, "Music opportunities shouldn't stop with minor," couldn't be more true. It's about time for Marquette to get serious about music.
Our student body does not lack a passion for music, even if right now there are few opportunities or places to cultivate it. Even students who take the initiative to get private lessons at places like the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music have no space to get in some decent practice time without taking a relatively long bus ride or drive.
My primary question is: How can we be serious about a music minor when there is nowhere to practice?
The No. 1 priority in strengthening Marquette's new commitment to music is providing students with quality practice space and pianos. Every residence hall should have a high-quality piano, and they should be in rooms where students can feel comfortable practicing.
What I am more concerned about, however, is the fact that upperclassmen who do not live in the residence halls are basically limited to using the upright piano in the Henke Lounge on the second floor of the Alumni Memorial Union. The piano is flat, the room's acoustics are less than stellar, the room is constantly in use for meetings that don't even require a piano and no one can play when the Lunda Room is open because it can be heard through the wall.
I'm glad Marquette plans to provide a long-term solution by creating practice rooms in the Varsity Theatre. However, I'm not convinced this is enough. In the short run, I would recommend that the university at least move the piano from the Henke Lounge to a less central, less frequently used room in the AMU so it is more accessible to students who want to practice.
If anyone is interested in discussing solutions for the practice space issue, please contact me. Before the music minor becomes reality, Marquette needs to prove its dedication to a music program by taking the steps to cultivate student interest in music in the short run, which will make it ready to continue this effort in the long run.
“
