The Bellarmine University Music Department has entranced and drawn prospective students for years. And some students, like junior Emma Stivers, have started to take notice and began doing all she could to continue
growth.
Stivers is a Pre-Physical Therapy and Music major, with a focus on Vocal Performance. She is also the creator of the recent Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), Music Ambassadors, which aims to bring potential students to the department
as well provide current students with opportunities to make connections. Stivers wants to provide the same feeling of belonging she’s felt to those who are just starting or looking to start their time at BU.
“It's a community of networking and support and so many talented people that really want to work with you. I wanted to give that to others.”
“When I came to campus and actually started school everyone was just so nice and everyone supported each other,” Stivers said. “It's a community of networking and support and so many talented people that really
want to work with you. I wanted to give that to others.”
Stivers said she was first drawn to the Pre-Physical Therapy program, but she knew she wanted to pursue music in some way. With the help of her advisor and several 19-credit hour semesters, she is finishing her time in the music
department. She will be enrolled in the Physical Therapy early entry program in the fall.
However, Stivers said she will continue her work with Music Ambassadors and carrying with her many fond memories. One of her favorite things was going to Ireland and Scotland in early 2020 with Bellarmine’s Oratorio
Society. She said it was a stunning adventure to take with a department that has become like family to her. Choir has also brought Stiver some of her favorite times at BU, as well as the music videos the department creates
every semester.
“Usually, our spring one is Derby-themed and then our one in the fall is holiday-themed. The first one that I did was a Derby-themed video out at a farm in Versailles,” Stivers said. “We got to see horses and wear Derby hats. This
past fall we did a sleigh ride where we had like a horse-drawn carriage.”
Stiver’s favorite thing she has gotten to experience at BU is the creation of Music Ambassadors, which all spurred from her love of a place she calls home. The Music Department Chair, Tim Glasscock, was “totally on board”
and a supporter of Stiver’s proposed RSO.
Her initial concept for the organization as a group that went to high schools to showcase the Bellarmine music department to potential students. She also wanted to bring incoming students to campus to match them with current students
with similar focuses. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she has had to change the way she conceptualized Music Ambassadors.
While they have continued to recruit students digitally, she said they have done a lot with the first-year music students to create community. Last semester, a social for those students allow them to connect. She said Music Ambassadors
has also helped increase awareness of this year’s spring recitals.
“We’re working to create a website for the Music Department, too. That's where people can go to find the live stream recitals and concerts. We knew a lot of recitals were virtual this semester, so we wanted to make sure it was
still really convenient for everyone,” Stivers said.
The program has continued to grow this academic year and Stivers is ready to start recruiting the way she imagined. She wants to create a solid foundation for this RSO as well as for the music department.
“I want to show students that if they are interested in playing or studying music then they should come check out Bellarmine and then auditions.
“I want to show students that if they are interested in playing or studying music then they should come check out Bellarmine and then auditions. I want to further develop this club that way. We have to
make it even more than what it is now, it just takes time,” Stivers said.
The Music Department and Music Ambassadors has so much more to offer than what has been featured. You can click here to learn more about the majors and programs in the department. And click here to learn about the Music Department faculty.