Who likes to sing a lot and basically lives in the Whalen School of Music? Sophomore, music education major, Alli Fay! A lot of students struggle to keep up with school and activities, but Alli uses her time wisely by focusing on her involvement in music on campus. Here’s what Alli has to say after her first semester as Assistant Music Director of Pitch Please, Ithaca College’s all-inclusive a cappella group.
Her Campus Ithaca College: What made you decide to major in music education?
Alli Fay: I’m really passionate about music and I love teaching people so it was a natural next step to major in music ed. I love sharing the passion I have for music with others.
HCIC: We’ve heard that music education is a time consuming major. How do you balance out your busy schedule with outside activities?
AF: It’s tough. I’m taking 13 or 14 classes next semester, making up 18 credits, but since a lot that I do is about music, it’s easy to combine it all. However, I do try to get out of Whalen once in awhile.
HCIC: How long have you been involved with music?
AF: I started taking little kid voice lessons when I was three. In First Grade I started playing the trumpet so then I did band for a while. I joined chorus in Fifth Grade; it’s been a long time.
HCIC: Are you involved with other non-music related clubs or activities on campus?
AF: Most of what I do is wrapped around music, like my involvement in Pitch Please and the music fraternities, so honestly not really.
HCIC: What involvement do you have with the music fraternities on campus?
AF: I’m in the all-women fraternity, which I joined spring semester freshman year. I help organize events for that; I was the MC for the lip sync battle a few weeks ago, and I’m working on a music talent show tomorrow night.
HCIC: What’s your favorite thing about being involved in Pitch Please?
AF: I love working on music with people who aren’t in the music school. I like sharing my passion for singing and creating bonds with people I wouldn’t have otherwise met.
HCIC: How did you achieve your position in Pitch Please?
AF: I joined spring semester freshman year and they opened up a position for Assistant Music Director. I applied for the position for which the application process included practicing leading warm-ups, teaching tags and then we had an interview with the board. And then they chose me!
HCIC: How is your Pitch Please experience preparing you for life after college?
AF: It’s such a direct link to what I want to do — teaching people from all different levels how to sing. Both people who have had years of music experience and people who have never sung before. I do a lot of the arranging so I’ve developed a more musical ear and it ties into a lot of what I’ve learned from classes.
HCIC: What are your plans for Thanksgiving break?
AF: I’m going back home to Princeton, NJ and I don’t know how I’m getting there so that should be an adventure.