Rosemary Chesney, Campus Carrier arts and living editor
The music department at Berry provides a way for students to express themselves through a creative outlet. There are various organizations within the music department for students to get involved with including the wind ensemble, drumline, jazz ensemble, steel band, brass ensemble and trumpet ensemble. All these organizations combined form a tight-knit community on campus.
The two categories of ensembles include instrumental and vocal groups. Along with these groups is the orchestra, drumline and steel band. While many students are only involved in one of these organizations, others are involved in multiple. Sophomore Sarah Bramlett plays trumpet in the wind, jazz, brass and trumpet ensembles.
“If you like being involved and being invested in an instrument, playing [with the ensembles] is a really fulfilling way to play a variety of music,” Bramlett said. “The music can be very touching, and it’s a cool way to channel different emotions.”
Bramlett said the most popular ensemble on campus is the wind ensemble. This features woodwind instruments such as flutes, clarinets and oboes along with brass instruments such as trumpets, trombones and tubas. Senior Montana Barber is a percussionist in the wind ensemble, steel band and drumline.
“Wind ensemble truly challenges me as a musician,” Barber said. “I have to delegate parts and teach so it’s a little more stressful, but I enjoy that it gets me out of my comfort zone and gives me an opportunity to be a leader.”
The wind ensemble will be performing this Mountain Day and at the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) next January where they will receive feedback from a panel of judges. Professor Alyssa Grey has been the head of the wind ensemble since fall of last year.
“One of the reasons why Berry is so special is that we get to know our professors so personally, and I think I see that most in the music department,” Bramlett said. “Dr. Grey is so inviting and funny and we love having her.”
Another major musical organization on campus is the drumline, led by Director of Jazz and Percussion Studies John David (JD). The drumline performs not only at three to five home football games but also at Mountain Day. Sophomore Owen Vison has been a part of the Berry drumline for over a year now.
“Community is my favorite part of the drumline,” Vinson said. “It’s hard to find common ground with someone who comes from different walks of life, so to connect with people of different backgrounds speaks volumes about what music can really do.”
JD is also the leader of the jazz ensemble and steel band. The jazz ensemble consists of three to four rhythm section players. Rhythm section includes piano, bass, drums and guitar. There are also three or four horns, which includes saxophone, trumpet, trombone and flute. The steel band is a collection of percussionists with only steel drums. Their next performance is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 29, according to Barber.
“Being a part of the different ensembles has taught me that music can be important even though it’s not directly related to my career,” Barber said. “Music is a stress reliever for me, something I can result to feel better or use as a creative outlet.”
Along with the wind and jazz ensembles is the brass and trumpet ensembles. The brass ensemble includes a variety of brass instruments, while the trumpet ensemble focuses entirely on one instrument. Bramlett said that the trumpet ensemble is her favorite musical group on campus.
“I feel like the trumpet ensemble is the best for my instrument,” Bramlett said. “We not only focus on playing but invest time in growing as a section. You can’t just be good as one player. You must blend with your entire section to have a good experience.”