Story by Mary Zielke, Arts Columnist
As we begin the spring semester, there are a lot of ways to become involved and join a variety of groups. Dr. Polett, the band director, and now Chair of the Music Department, gives his insight on why the Aquinas community should either join the music department, or support their concerts and events.
With the jazz band and concrete band taking place this spring semester, he describes how much he tries to build the culture around the band, and how student composers have the opportunity to have teaching experiences.
“It’s how the students are with each other… it has consistently been positive,” he comments. There is a strong atmosphere of support and community within these groups. It is beyond the music, in which students are able to make lifelong friendships and find a common ground as well.
Dr. Polett encourages the value of students building skills that can become a lifelong pursuit.“I am learning everytime I do [play an instrument]. There is no way to know it all, and that is exciting,” Dr. Polett states.
Being at Aquinas for five years, he has seen improvement with the music department overall. “We had a concert band that grew to almost one hundred students at one point. I think when people get involved, they love performing and finding their passion,” he states.
Going into depth on the other ensembles, he mentions how much the choir and orchestra have grown too. “There is a lot to be celebrated. Even with the choirs and orchestra, the directors are outstanding, students love them and they are getting so much out of these groups,” he says.
For this spring, President Cordoba is performing with the band, promoting and joining the students. “We are even doing another piece called ‘Cave’ which will be done in the dark,” Dr. Polett says.
For a campus that mainly consists of student athletes, Dr. Polett emphasizes how important the fine arts are at Aquinas. “The arts are one of the most critical components of any community,” he says, “Every society has the arts… we support that because it identifies us as human beings.”
If you are inclined to join the band, choir, orchestra, or ensembles, sign up for a class or join an extracurricular group here at Aquinas. If you want to support future concerts and events, look on https://my.aquinas.edu/dashboard or look on their website www.aqaband.org.
The Saint 