It was once said that Macalester students pursue three significant activities during their time at Macalester. The first is a course of study. The second, in women's soccer, is soccer. The third spans an incredible range of interest in our women's soccer team, from co-editor of the Mac Weekly (our student run newspaper) to volunteering at a local non-profit.

We have recently noticed a trend in our women's soccer players' third activity: their love of music. Perhaps inspired by the incredible new fine arts facilities being built (click here for a preview) or truly following their own rhythm, we asked four of them to share their experience with us.

Below, Danielle Scott (Fy., Ripon, Wis.), Maggie Molter (Fy., Cedarburg, Wis.), Emma Brainerd (Fy., Littleton, Colo. / Arapahoe) and Clare MacMillen (So., Sturgeon Bay, Wis. / Sevastopol) talk about what music and Macalester mean to them.

What are you currently doing related to music?

DS: I'm singing in Highland Camerata. It's a mixed choir that's open to anyone at Macalester (after a pitch matching audition). We rehearse twice a week and perform music of many different genres. Last semester I was also part of Chamber Women's Ensemble, which was a group of selected women from Highland Camerata and runs only during the fall semester. We performed two pieces at the winter concert.

MM: As a declared music minor, I currently play trumpet in the Macalester Orchestra and the MacJazz big band (each rehearses three hours a week) and take private classical trumpet lessons through the Music Department. I also play in a rock band of sorts with a few other musically-inclined underclassmen, and we're working on setting up our first real gig!

EB: I'm currently in a band with five other Mac students (one is Maggie Molter). Right now we're working for our very first gig at a house near campus. I play piano and help write songs.

CM: I play the cello in the Macalester Orchestra. And sometimes I play with the marvelous musical duo also know as Maggie Molter and Emma Brainerd.

Why do you love music?

DS: I love how you well you can express yourself through music. It's also a huge stress reliever for me--something that's definitely necessary in college.

MM: I'll paraphrase one of my favorite teachers from high school here. It's important to enjoy music on two different levels. The first is in a sort of childish way, the second in a more critical and analytical way. When you play the role of a child; you want to dance around, sing along, move your body, relax, or be amazed. When you play a philosophical role, you break down the music to its most basic level, discovering the nuances of the performance. This forces you to constantly re-evaluate your musical belief system and ask yourself why certain bands and artists are appealing. In my own playing and the artists I listen to, I try to find music that can be enjoyed on both levels; music that is fun and engaging on the surface, but also stands up to deeper analysis.

EB: It's hard to put into words why I love music, but the best I can think of is that it's the ultimate emotional release for me. I love listening, playing, creating--anything that has to do with it. It's my favorite form of expression.

CM: As Macalester students, our days are filled with words. We talk, we read, we write and then we talk and read and write some more. Music is a reprieve from what can become an overwhelming environment of analysis and discussion. Music is a platform for self expression and reflection that conveys fluctuating emotions oftentimes too complicated for words. Whether I'm playing by myself or in a large ensemble, I love the adrenaline rush of hitting the final note of a long run and the welling of emotion that comes from making truly beautiful music. Bear in mind I love Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saëns, and Ravel, so I certainly have a much more romantic view of music than most people!

Why did you pick Macalester?

DS: I wanted to go to a school that was small enough so that I could participate in music and soccer. At small schools like Mac, coaches and directors are willing to work with you so that you can be involved in everything you want to do. Going to a big school where I might not have been able to do both would have been really hard for me since I've been singing and playing soccer since I was very young.

MM: In high school, my life basically consisted of three components: academics, soccer, and music. I wanted to pursue all three of them in college, and Mac was the only place I could do that. The flexible academic scheduling made it possible to fit a music minor in with my other academic interests. And because the soccer commitment is much more self-directed in the off-season, I'm able to participate in large ensembles during spring semester. Fitting individual practice, ensemble rehearsal, band practice, lifting, pick-up indoor, classes, meals, and homework (of course) all into one day is definitely an exercise in time management, but I love every minute of it.

EB: Macalester has a very musical population. There isn't one specific music community, and anyone can choose to participate in one way or another. I had no problem finding people here who were more than capable and willing to play music together. Since Macalester is DIII, I have time to explore my other interests outside of soccer and excel in those interests.

CM: When I first considered Macalester, I did not think I would have the opportunity to play soccer. I quickly realized that I was wrong. I was assured that everyone involved in the Macalester Soccer Program would work hard to ensure my commitment to a sport would not prevent me from joining other organizations. This played a prominent role in my choice to come to Macalester. I always assumed that going to college would force me to narrow my interests and involvement. Instead I get to be a student-musician-athlete. I love soccer, I love orchestra, but above all, I love Mac!

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