Why Wittenberg?
Students previously featured in “Why Wittenberg?”
Lis Schueler, class of 2010
I grew up in Deer Park, a small city in Greater Cincinnati, Ohio. I attended a fairly small local high school, Deer Park High School. 
I played mellophone in marching band the first two years and then became field commander. In concert band, I played French horn and later was section leader. In pep band, I played mellophone at the basketball games. Sophomore year, I participated in Winter Indoor Percussion, playing xylophone. I was also in Girls Glee Club and Show Choir, each for a year. I was in the musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown my junior year. At the end of each school year, our high school put on a production called Parkers, a themed musical variety show involving songs and skits. I was in opening and closing chorus for that and sang a solo. I also took private piano and voice lessons for a couple years and participated in O.M.E.A. Solo and Ensemble for piano and voice.
Why Witt? I realized a while ago that I wanted to major in music as a voice major. I was attending college elsewhere, and transferring was the only way to pursue my goal. When I auditioned at Wittenberg last spring, everyone was friendly and it just “felt right.” I also liked how Wittenberg was fairly small and it would be easy to get to know people. The beautiful campus was a finishing touch.
What next? I don’t have any plans after graduating yet, but I do know that I want to perform. Whatever the case may be, I hope that whatever job I have is music-related.
Greg McCoach, class of 2008
I attended John Glenn High School in New Concord, Ohio, where I performed with Concert Band (alto saxophone), Marching Band (also alto saxophone), Percussion Ensemble (all percussion instruments!), Jazz Band (piano), Brass Choir (trumpet).
Why Witt? I wanted to have a balanced liberal arts education and still have the option to study music seriously. I’ve always been very eclectic, and Wittenberg, being a liberal arts college, has allowed me to pursue my many interests as well as seriously study my passion, writing music. The accumulation of knowledge in many different areas had led me to become a much more cognizant and sensitive person, which will aid me for the rest of my life and will certainly be present in my music.
What next? I plan to spend this year working at either a recording studio as an engineer or at a music publishing house as an arranger. I also want to pursue graduate school to study composition in the near future.
Kathryn Kulma, class of 2009
I went to Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Ohio, where I was principal clarinetist of the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Orchestra and played clarinet in the pit orchestra for musicals. I was field commander and clarinet section leader of the marching band, president of the Symphonic Mixed Choir, and I starred as Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical the Musical. In addition, I was a member of the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony and I took private voice and clarinet lessons.
Why Witt? I chose Wittenberg because I wanted a liberal arts education. Although music is my passion, I have many other interests and I wanted a place where I could explore them. I also like the intimate atmosphere of a small school. The music students are more supportive than competitive. Witt is small enough that even a sophomore like me gets plenty of solo performance opportunities. I liked Wittenberg because of its small size, beautiful campus, and first-rate faculty. I knew I wouldn’t get lost in the shuffle here. I also love the Wittenberg Choir!
What next? After graduation, I plan on getting my masters degree in voice. My ultimate goal is to make a living performing and teaching private lessons. One day, I would like to receive my Ph.D. and teach at a university.
Vincent Pontius, class of 2011
I am from a small town called Milford Center (Ohio), only not really. That is my mailing address--I am actually closer to Irwin. I went to a small school called Fairbanks located in Milford Center. There was no string program there so I joined the band and played French horn in the concert band and mellophone in the marching band. I also joined the choir for a year and was involved in playing in the pit for a musical. Since there was no place at school for strings, I traveled a lot to Columbus for group lessons at Capital University and eventually became a member of their Tour Group there for violinists. I also auditioned for the Springfield Youth Symphony where I spent one year playing violin and then the last year was principal violist. I also have taught violin and am a certified Suzuki violin teacher. And I am in a piano trio with my two siblings where I lead them in playing weddings and various events.
Why Witt? I chose Wittenberg for many reasons. I like a small school that feels more personal in which you can really feel that the professors care and want to help. I spent some time at Wittenberg in my youth in the academic camps and I was also involved in their orchestra camp where I was chosen to play with the Springfield Symphony as an Honor Student. All these experiences helped to create a “homey” atmosphere for me here at Witt.
What next? I know that music will always be a part of my life, no matter where I am or what I do. I’ll especially enjoy teaching and watching a student tentatively take a violin and bow in hand and watch the transformation as the months go by.
Brad Wilson, class of 2008
I am from New Carlisle, Ohio, where I attended Tecumseh High School. I took private classical guitar lessons,
was in four musicals (leading roles as the Baker in Into the Woods and Harold Hill in The Music Man), plus four years in Show Choir, performed at numerous community- and school-sponsored events, and attended OMEA solo and ensemble competitions for three years.
Why Witt? Wittenberg seemed to be a very comfortable and welcoming university…both of which turned out to be true. The faculty-student interaction was definitely a plus. Wittenberg was generous with scholarships—both academic and music. I felt that I would receive a first-rate education at Wittenberg, which allowed me to obtain a dual degree in music and management. The professors, the campus, and student life as a whole drew me to Wittenberg.
What next? I am seriously contemplating working towards a masters in voice after graduation, 
and ultimately obtaining a PhD, which will enable me to teach at a university.
Annie Selong, class of 2010
I went to Bay High School in Bay Village, a western suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. I participated in the Ladies’ Show Choir and the A Cappella Choir for three years. During my senior year, I did an independent study with my choir director where I conducted the Freshman Choir for a semester. I also worked with the elementary music teacher with 3rd and 4th graders throughout my senior year, helping them improve their skills on the recorder as well as teaching them rhythm and fun songs and dances. Plus, I was a member of the women’s chorus in two musicals put on by my high school, Oklahoma! and Footloose.
Why Witt? I heard about Wittenberg from my older sister, who considered it during her college search. When I came to visit Wittenberg, I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful campus and friendly people. I knew I wanted a small school, and the distance from home was a good mix of space and comfort. I only applied to one other school, but the music department there was not very developed. So, Wittenberg won!
What next? Once I graduate, I hope to get a job as an elementary general music teacher somewhere in the first to fourth grade range. I can see myself someday becoming a choir director for either junior high or high school. As for location, I would love to move somewhere with warmer weather, but I will most likely go wherever the job takes me.
Sarah Dennett, class of 2009
I went to Old Mill Senior High School, in Millersville, Maryland. I played violin in my high school’s orchestra, in the All County Orchestra, and in the pit orchestra for a few musicals the theater department put on. I also played tenor pan in my high school’s steel drum band.
Why Witt? I wasn’t absolutely certain what I wanted to major in when I was selecting a college, so I was looking mostly at liberal arts schools. Wittenberg just seemed to have everything I was looking for in a college. It’s small and the professors are easily accessible and approachable. There are lots of ways to get involved in campus ministries and it has lots of opportunities to get involved in music ensembles. More than anything, I felt that I would not only learn a lot at Witt, but that I would also grow in many different ways.
What next? I’m not absolutely certain what I’m going to do immediately after I graduate, but eventually I think I’d like to get involved with some type of music ministry, hopefully one that will let me do a lot of traveling.
Ben Williams, class of 2010
I attended DuPont Manual High School/Youth Performing Arts School in Louisville, Kentucky. While there, I performed with the Marching Band and Concert Band (we toured in Boston, San Antonio, Montreal, and New Orleans), Woodwind Quintet, Orchestra (we performed in Carnegie Hall), and Choir.
Why Witt? I have family all over Ohio, so I was encouraged to look around this great state. I looked big, I looked small, size wasn’t the issue. Wittenberg’s friendliness and boundless opportunity are what made me decide on it. Everyone has your back and they’re always willing and eager to help you. That impression has held strong and I am just as happy now as I was excited this time last year when I chose Witt.
What next? I’m working on my music education degree, so I am planning on teaching in a secondary/pre-secondary setting while giving lessons. 
I also enjoy performing at various venues such as weddings, church services, musicals, ceremonies, and restaurants.
Rhea Jones-Price, class of 2010
I am from Trotwood, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton. I attended Dayton Christian High School, where I played viola in our String Orchestra and in our senior high school musical, State Fair. I went to piano camps at the Conservatory of Music at Rider University, and at Goshen College, Bowling Green, and Capital University.
Why Witt? I chose Wittenberg because my piano teacher recommended that I take piano lessons with Wittenberg pianist Dr. Durrenberger because he is an amazing pianist and he really made an impression on her.
What next? I think I might go into playing for churches and teaching private lessons. I dabble in arranging and composing so perhaps I will do that as well.
Becca Ajer, class of 2009
I went to Monte Vista High School in Spring Valley, a suburb of San Diego, California. 
I joined the county-wide San Diego Children’s Choir, an audition-only organization made up of various choirs and kids ranging in ages from 6 to 18. During my freshman year I was in Concert Choir, a group for girls in 6th-9th grade and boys from 6th grade until their voices changed. After that I was in Youth Choir, the high school mixed voices ensemble and an 8-voice a capella group. I also performed in a lot of musicals with my school’s theater program and led the Sunday School kids at my church in caroling for three years.
Why Witt? I chose Wittenberg for a lot of reasons. First of all, I knew before I started my college search that I wanted to go to an ELCA-affiliated liberal arts college; this narrowed down my search somewhat. After visiting close to ten, I decided that Wittenberg felt like the best fit for me. Also, my mother’s family is originally from Ohio (my mother was born in Dayton). My grandparents on her side and two of my aunts went to Wittenberg, as well as my great-grandfather. My great-great grandfather was even once the groundskeeper!
What next? After graduation, my plan as of right now is to get a degree in music therapy and become a music therapist. It sounds like a fascinating job and would allow me to do the things I love: 
work with people and use music.
Sarah Murray, class of 2010
I am from Dublin, Ohio, where I was homeschooled. During my junior and senior years I was an accompanist for a children’s choir at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, and I was a keyboardist for Saturday night worship service at Cypress Wesleyan Church. The composing side of life began to develop during my sophomore year in high school. The first piece I composed, “In Principio,” received honors in Ohio an MTNA composition competition), as well as on the national level (National Piano Guild composition competition).
Why Witt? When I was a junior in high school I came to Wittenberg for an overnight, and I immediately fell in love with the campus. I also liked the idea that the class size would be small and the professors were genuinely invested in each student’s education. I loved the friendly atmosphere. I started studying piano with Dr. Durrenberger during the summer of my junior year and the more I came to Wittenberg for my lessons the more I loved the campus.
What next? I would really like to teach piano privately or possibly at a college level. It would be wonderful to compose on the side, too. With the liberal arts education that Wittenberg is providing I realize that I have a wider range of options for my future.