Combining Music and English Degrees

English and Music, Double Majors

Chloe Shantz is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts and a double major in Music and English Literature and is the recipient of the Music Departmental Award. “I grew up in a musical family, and English was always my favourite subject in school,” she said. After graduating high school during the pandemic, Chloe found herself drawn to the supportive and close-knit environment at Grebel. “I wanted the small college experience,” she explained. 

One of Chloe’s most meaningful experiences involved singing with the University of Waterloo Chamber Choir. She joined the choir in her first year and continued to sing with the ensemble throughout her degree. “A treasured memory in the Chamber Choir was when I was given the opportunity to conduct the choir in a piece of my choosing,” she said. “I chose to conduct a friend’s original composition, a piece about time passing and the need to hold on to the moments you have.” 

To new students, Chloe offered encouragement. “It's okay to have many different interests and university is about trying many different things. If you can make it work with your courseload and program requirements, I highly recommend trying to combine degrees,” she said. “Making connections across disciplines is a very important skill that will give you new perspectives with which to view things and teach you how to adapt well to different environments.” 

Chloe is graduating with specializations in Intensive English and in Creative Writing and is now working as a writer, singer, and music instructor. 

By Audrey Whitman