Music is Instrumental to Many Waterloo Students

Students choose to integrate music into their university life for various purposes—to pursue their musical passion, be part of something bigger than themselves, or to build meaningful friendships. We asked a group of students from all faculties at the University of Waterloo to tell us how Music connects with their other academic pursuits. Their answers reveal that Music has contributed to a stimulating interdisciplinary environment, revealing surprising partnerships between different fields of study.

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Category: Feature Academic

ALUMNI TIE MUSIC INTO THEIR LIVES

Grebel aims to be a space for conversation and connection among people of diverse backgrounds and academic disciplines. Because Grebel administers the University of Waterloo’s Music program, the College naturally attracts musically talented students from every faculty at Waterloo. Some Grebel alumni have gone on to have remarkable careers in music performance, composition, conducting, and teaching. Others have chosen to combine their love of music with other passions in complementary fields. The following profiles highlight a sampling of alumni who have merged their interests in music and another field. We asked: How are you combining music with another field or interest? How has this fusion enriched your life, taken your life in an unexpected direction, or led to an accomplishment you’re proud of? How did Grebel inspire this path?

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Category: Feature Alumni

Musicals and the Magic of a Multi-Year Residence

In 2002, students Kirk Schmidt and Leigh McClymont had an idea that Grebel students could produce a full-scale Broadway musical. It was an ambitious and seemingly unrealistic dream. But they wrote a business case and pitched it to Student Council. One year later, Grebel’s production of Godspell opened for a four-night run. Asked about that first production, Kirk reflected that “When we sold out three out of the four nights, we knew we had tapped into something within the Grebel zeitgeist.”

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Category: Feature From the President's Desk

Music, Memories, and Belonging in Residential Care

“I don’t have much of a singing voice anymore,” is something I often heard when I first started inviting people to hymn sings. No wonder. In their 90s, without many people to talk to, let alone sing with, over the past few years of masking, our voices have deteriorated. And mine wasn’t great to start with. (My failed audition for the Grebel Chapel Choir 30-some years ago is evidence of this).

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Category: Feature Specialty Programs