This afternoon I received an email from my alma mater Millsaps College. It was a shocking and disappointing email regarding changes to the school. One change that jumped out at me was the statement that the college would no longer offer a music major. This stood out because I was a music major at Millsaps College. I guess it is not a surprise really because I know there are less and less students pursuing music, but it also makes me feel loss. I have so many wonderful memories of my time in the music department as a music major at Millsaps College. I learned so much there and once I found the music department, I found my home. There is a such thing as a calling for some people in life, and music called to me in everything. For me, music is not just a job. When I hear and play and teach music I feel like I am sharing something that is greater than every fiber of my being. For me, music transcends and to take a portion of that away from a liberal arts college is like slowly letting go of someone you loved. I will still have music, but I cannot help but wonder if Millsaps is slowly letting go of something once loved and valued in a different time and place.

The picture below is from my junior piano recital at Millsaps College. It was taken with my much loved piano professor, Dr. Jonathan Sweat.