Tri-M provides harmonious opportunity for musical leadership, collaboration
Musicians unite! Tri-M Honor Society promises to build bridges between the three music departments at West. This is Tri-M’s first year at West in a very long time, but there used to be a chapter several decades ago. This massive organization contains over 2,000 chapters across the United States and 15 countries.
Senior and historian Jackson Clarke appreciates the club for its core values.
“Tri-M is an honors society for music. One of our core beliefs is to provide ‘service through music,’ as stated in the Tri-M song,” he said. “Part of that is promoting music in the community and being a general force for good in the community.”
Senior and vice president Ellis Coe agrees with Clarke and hopes to bring musicians together with this new club.
“Tri-M is about a bunch of people with a similar passion for music getting together and sharing ideas to help the community,” she said. “I hope that we can try to cohesively blend all three different music groups into one family.”
Advisor Brian Wilson wanted to expand leadership opportunities for students.
“Since COVID, there haven’t been enough students stepping up to be leaders, so I wanted to create an opportunity for students to gain skills they may not have learned elsewhere to apply them first to the music department, then to other areas in the school and district, as well as other communities,” he said.
Senior President Jenna Mollenhauer sets the precedent for the club to follow for years to come, and hopes for the club’s expansion in upcoming years.
“I’m hoping to set up a foundation for Tri-M to do fundraising and set up connections in the community,” she said. “I would love to see Tri-M members visiting and performing in the community, as well as doing more volunteer work.”
Senior Treasurer Bella Mariucci shares these sentiments, but expresses the need for fundraising to be able to do outreach. Mariucci, an avid money manager, explains why she wanted to become the treasurer.
“I’m really good with money, and do some of my dad’s finances,” she said. “I think money is really interesting, and it’s really exciting to be in a leadership position in the club.”
Senior Ethyn Montgomery reflects ideas shared by many in the club, and believes it will serve in his future paths.
“I joined Tri-M to get a music based leadership opportunity, partly because of college applications, but also because I enjoy music and look forward to expanding my leadership skills,” he said.
Clarke wanted to become the historian for several reasons, particularly how he is able to utilize his admiration of music towards something proactive.
“I wanted to take a much more active, hands-on approach to leadership,” he said. “Something I believe is a big part of my responsibility is providing, curating, and organizing music to be played at events, which I think will be a great way to apply my love of music to lead and do good in the world.”
Mollenhauer saw running for president as a natural progression in her musical career.
“I wanted to be the Tri-M President because I’m very involved in the music department,” she said. “I’m in three choirs as well as orchestra, so I have both sides of the coin. Music is something I’m really passionate about, and I plan on majoring in it in the future.”
Senior Gabby Heling believes Tri-M will be a place of unity for all sections of music.
“All music students have a place to express themselves,” she said. “It’s not just orchestra, or choir, or band; it’s a universal group all with the same common thread of loving music.”
by Jorie Mugerauer
Published Febuary 26, 2024
Oshkosh West Index volume 120 issue V