Meet Tori Cotter, a junior Music Education major with a Trumpet concentration. As a Music Ed major, Tori stays pretty busy, but she is also the Head Community Assistant (HCA) in Suites on Pratt this year.
Not only is Tori the HCA of Suites on Pratt, but she also fills her schedule by being the Social Chair of the professional music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota; the Region II Coordinator of PCMEA (Pennsylvania Collegiate Music Educators Association); the Sweetheart for Phi Mu Alpha, and a student worker in the music library. Tori also plays in the Wind Ensemble, the University Orchestra, and the Jazz Band here at IUP.
As a CA, Tori is required to hold at least five programs a semester. Programming is a crucial part of the CA role because it gives residences the chance to come together in a fun and creative way that is social or educational. When asked what her favorite program was Tori said, “My paint a pet rock program. Residents had a friend on the first day of classes, they met each other while painting their rocks and it created wonderful bonding opportunities. They made beautiful rocks, I got to see their creativity.” Although I personally did not get to attend the program, I got to hear what residents said about it afterwards and many commented on how much they enjoyed the program. Tori also made it a challenge for the residents to take their pet rock to class and tweet a photo to the Suites on Pratt Twitter account.
Through IUP, Tori has the opportunity to participate in many organizations and ensembles, such as Symphony Band, Marching Band, Chorus, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Brass Quintet, Brass Ensemble, RHC, and PCMEA. This past summer, she even got to travel to Orvieto, Italy as the international trumpet soloist for Orvieto Musica. Tori stated: “Italy was an incredible life changing experience. It’s funny how opportunities lay out for you and I was so ready to snatch this one up. I don’t regret this experience, not even the price. It was worth performing internationally and making connections and memories that will last a life time.”
Although her time at IUP is winding down quickly, there are still a number of activities that Tori is looking forward to such as taking a little in SAI and student teaching, “I’m so excited to get the marching band experience with directing and to teach lessons with elementary schoolers.” Tori is also enthusiastic about graduating, organizing the PCMEA conference, performing at PMEA with the Wind Ensemble, her junior recital in February, acting as the representative for the college of Fine Arts on Crimson Court, and the International Trumpet Guild conference in Hershey in May.
Tori’s words of wisdom to the IUP community, but especially the freshmen: “Try something new and don’t lose track of your roots. Push your boundaries, expand your horizons, join a club that will let you travel. Call your mom. Call your dad. Call your grandparents and send your best friends letters. College takes you to unexpected places, love brings you home. Always do your best and don’t give up.”
When asked what gets her through the tough days, Tori mentioned chocolate, but she also mentioned the staff members of Suites on Pratt who are always there for her. More importantly, Tori’s favorite quote from Carrie Bradshaw helps every day: “The phrase ‘do not be afraid’ is written in the bible 365 times. That’s a daily reminder from God to live everyday being fearless.”