Cammie Wilks, Campus Carrier features editor

Alicia Meehan, Campus Carrier staff writer

Whether a person is attending a concert or performing karaoke with friends, music surrounds our everyday lives in many ways. It is nearly impossible to be in public now without hearing a familiar song playing in the background of any store or lobby. Berry is no exception to this, with suggested songs always repeating in Berry’s dining hall and students listening to their own music in headphones and AirPods.

Students at Berry who have a passion for creating and performing music often undertake a major or minor in music. Whether students want to perform, teach or take on the music industry, there are various programs offered for those who are interested in music, including 17 different ensembles to audition for and participate in.

Junior Kate Jackson is a passionate music and education major who is heavily involved in performing. She is the treasurer of the Zeta Xi chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) at Berry, the music fraternity on campus. Jackson, who is an instrumentalist, is also involved with three on-campus ensembles: Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble and the Berry Winds. 

She primarily plays the clarinet, but she is learning how to play many different instruments so that once she graduates, she can become an educator in music and teach kids how to play various instruments. One of her jobs is at Kindermusik, an educational program that helps children develop and teaches them various instruments.

“For me, I feel like I was called to be a teacher,” Jackson said. “I get to share my love for music with other students, and I can and will let them find themselves and express themselves through music.” 

SAI President Sarah Warden is a senior psychology major and music minor at Berry. She is a vocalist involved in various ensembles, such as the Berry Voices and Berry Singers. Warden credits her success in her academic and leadership roles to her connection and community built in the Berry music department. 

“I was able to build strong relationships with a lot of the people in this department because I did start as a major and was in the music BCC [Berry College Course] class,” Warden said. “That has helped me stay involved after I transitioned into the psychology department.”

Both Warden and Jackson have tight schedules due to their involvement in music. Similar to other music students, they have to plan carefully to be able to go to classes, attend practices, perform in their respective ensembles and have enough time for their jobs and other commitments on campus. However, despite how busy these students are, they still make time to foster meaningful connections with other students on campus while making music with them. 

“The best part of the music department is working with other people and being in an ensemble with them,” Warden said. “Yes, you can do solo-singing, or you can play an instrument solo, but I would say the best part is being in an ensemble and working with other people. I might be biased, but I think that’s when it is most beautiful.” 

According to their website, SAI encourages interaction between those who are committed to music and those who are members of the Rome community. SAI regularly participates in community service projects, which includes singing Christmas carols with seniors at the Spires and leading Holiday Sing-Alongs with kids in the community.

Within Berry’s visual and performing arts department there are over 40 faculty members, directed by the Director of Visual and Performing Arts Adam Hayes. Hayes has worked at Berry for about 19 years and moved to his current position as director 10 years ago.  Hayes has been naturally interested in music since an early age because he is from a family of musicians, and he has served as a music educator just like his parents did.

“We love it when students are successful,” Hayes said. “When students come back and tell us how they went to graduate school and they are prepared in music theory, music history and in their performance area, that’s when we feel like we’ve done a successful job.”

Outside of his work on campus, Hayes is overjoyed to play gigs and perform as a musician. As a classically trained trumpet player, he has participated in recording five studio albums and does as many as 140 performances yearly. Hayes has played in numerous ensembles, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. 

Just because the music department is located all the way in Ford does not mean it is closed off to students who are music majors. Opportunities are open for students to join the choir, pick up an instrument they have never played before or simply spend their time attending concerts and watching Berry’s talented music department showcase their skills. 

“We believe that that music is essential to getting the most out of the human experience possible,” Hayes said. “You have one life, you have to soak it all up as much as possible.”