Siena Heights University Choirs

04/18/2024

Come see our OUTSTANDING choir perform this Sunday at 5pm in the Music Hall!! You don’t want to miss this 🎵💛💙

04/17/2024

You don’t want to miss this AMAZING band!! See you this Saturday at 5pm in the Music Hall 💛🎶💙

04/16/2024

SHU-Wops and SHU-Bops!! Our barber shop groups are student-led and work hard all semester. Come see them perform at our concert THIS SUNDAY AT 5PM!!

04/15/2024

Congratulations Avery on a GREAT recital!!

04/12/2024

Happy Funny Friday!!

04/11/2024

Dr. Ford had a great time working with Fairview High School’s choir! Thank you for visiting our campus 💙💛

04/10/2024

Working on something special with the !

04/08/2024

Sing Siena to the sun!!

04/05/2024

04/02/2024

Drumroll please!! We are in the last month of the semester. Stop. Breathe. And finish out the semester strong, everyone!

03/31/2024

Happy Easter, everyone! 🤍💛

03/28/2024

03/28/2024

Siena Heights University University Chorale once again had the honor of singing at the Chrism Mass for the Diocese of Lansing. It is always an honor to be a part of this liturgy!

03/27/2024

It’s all about the ✨cadence points✨

03/25/2024

It’s Alumni Monday! This week features Garrett Glass who is in his second year of teaching. Garret is the Director of Choirs for Ga***rd Community Schools, teaching two middle school choirs, two high school choirs, and co-teaching 6th grade band. He also teaches an after-school barbershop group and is the vocal director for the musicals.

When asked about the best part of his day, Garrett says, “Doing what I trained seven years to do - TEACH! Most students don’t come to a music class because they are required to, they go because they want to be there. It makes for a great classroom environment, and teaching students who want to be in your class is the best part of any day.”

The most meaningful Music Major Mantra for Garrett is “Love and like are two different things.” He says, “Working with students is not for the faint of heart; it can be mentally and emotionally exhausting. However, through those trials, we (my students and I) build strong relationships and remind us why we make music in the first place.”

Garret says, “The biggest impact Siena had on me was the investment that came from Dr. Ford and Mr. Kesterke. Once you are a part of their program, they are 110% invested in you, and not just as a student but as a human being. These two professors prepared me by teaching me what it means to be a leader, how to be professional, what hills to die on, and so much more through their modeling and investment.”

Garrett’s advice for our current music ed students is, “Don’t waste the investment you get from your professors and don’t waste time. Like you, I thought I knew so much as an undergraduate. I didn't. I still don't. But, I spent the time doing what I was supposed to in college, so the things I am doing now are much more attainable. I am still learning, but my fundamental skills in music and education help me learn faster. Work harder and smarter while in college, your future self will thank you.”

Great job, Garret! You are doing amazing things in Ga***rd and making SHU proud 💙💛

03/20/2024

What a great music program at Lowell!

03/18/2024

Happy Alumni Monday!

This week features Alexander Beke, a 2022 SHU graduate. Alex teaches at Lowell Middle School in Lowell, Indiana. He teaches four sections of 6th-grade band and one section of 7th-grade band as well as an after-school jazz band at the middle school and Indoor Percussion at Lowell High School. He says that the best part of his day is when he can help students one-on-one and see their musical progress.

The most meaningful Music Major Mantra for Alex is “Love and like are two different things.” He says, “If you love something, you’ll do your best with it every day because of your love for it. People can tell when you like something and when you LOVE something. Find what it is that you love.”

When asked how SHU prepared him for teaching, Alex states, “Every last thing I have learned at SHU has helped me in one way or another. The heavy workload was a blessing in disguise. You may be overwhelmed. but it will prepare you to be effective in whatever field you may be in.”

Alex’s advice to our current music ed students is, “Dr. Ford and Prof. Kesterke are right about everything. You don’t realize how right they are until you are out in the field and actually doing it. Do the work, stay humble, and be a good soldier marching up the hill. Also, enjoy your time in college. Build relationships and make friends with other students. I would give absolutely anything to have the freedom to practice for three hours a day and would work 10 times harder in every single one of my classes and lessons if I were to do it all over again.”

Way to go, Alex! We love to hear about the good work you are doing at your school. Thank you for the GREAT advice for our students. Keep up the amazing work!

03/14/2024

A short throwback to our 2022 spring concert featuring Bach's Magnificat!

03/12/2024

We are happy happy happy to be back from spring break!!

03/01/2024

Happy Funny Friday!! Everyone have a GREAT spring break 💛💙

02/28/2024

Chamber Singers performing Viadana's Gloria last semester!

02/26/2024

Happy Alumni Monday!

This week features Bobbie Sue Whaley. She teaches at Lowell High School and Middle School in Lowell, Indiana. Bobbie teaches three high school choirs as well as three sections of eighth grade choir. She also coaches the color guard and winter guard teams and directs the chorus in the school musical. Additionally, she directs the Chancel Choir of the First United Methodist Church of Lowell, IN. Bobbie is in her fourth year of teaching, with three previous years having taught at Knox High School. She also teaches in the same district as her husband (and SHU alumni), Devan Whaley, who is the band director!

Bobbie says, “The preparation that SHU’s music department gave me was astronomical in becoming the teacher I am today. The lessons (and mantras) Dr. Ford and Professor Kesterke teach are crucial to becoming a great musician, educator, and person. However, SHU is the tip of the iceberg. If you don’t pay attention during your time at SHU, you may feel like you’re drowning in an already large ocean later. Trust the process! And go practice.”

When asked about the best and the toughest parts of her day, Bobbie says, “The best part of my day is my students being able to make musical decisions with empathy and attention to detail, it really makes me remember why I wanted to be a director and how I want music to impact my students’ lives. The toughest part of my day is realizing that I cannot help every single student with what goes on outside of the normal school day, but I can help them when they step into my classroom.”

Great job, Bobbie!! You are doing amazing things in your community. Keep crushing it 💙🎶💛

12/08/2023

Showcase Recital on Sunday night!

12/06/2023

Be sure to wish our music majors GOOD LUCK for their juries tomorrow 🎶

12/05/2023

Lessons and Carols was such a blessing this past weekend! We loved singing with family, friends, alumni, Sisters, and community members