Students explored careers in the music field during a trip on May 3 to the University of Hartford. This trip was led and put together by Music Department Chair Leslie Imse and School to Career Coordinator Kristi Ohanesian.

Sophomore, junior and senior students visited the university and were treated to a full campus tour before breaking into smaller groups to examine departments related to specific career fields.

“We believed that in order to make the experience seem real, we needed to have a full campus tour before we visited each demonstration. I believe it’s important for the students to gain the whole picture of the college, not just a small portion,” Imse said.

One choice for students was a visit to an acoustic engineering room. This room combined a knowledge of sound physics and musical instruments to test reverberation and echo. All outside noise is eliminated, and the engineers test the sound quality of the instruments or other objects placed inside. This example is only one instance of ways in which a knowledge and passion for music can be combined into future, stable careers.

All students who attended were allowed to explore an area of personal interest that the university offered a major or minor in. Each course combined a passion or interest in music with another area of study including business, engineering or physics.

“The trip taught me more about the music career options open to me and the many different paths that are available to me moving forward with my dedication to music. It was a great time and a great experience that’s helped me think more about my future,” sophomore Sasha Goldblatt said.

Imse hopes to continue this trip in the future and get more students from other areas of the school involved. The music field is constantly growing and expanding and continues to offer new avenues in our increasingly electronic world.

“We want students to know that pursuing an engineering or business career doesn’t mean giving up a passion for music. Just as wanting to pursue a career in music doesn’t mean giving up something like business. These types of careers can be combined to create something that satisfies all interests,” Imse said.