Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Sept. 19, 2012, edition 1 / Page 17
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Arts & Entertainment Wednesday, September 19, 2012 • page 17 Music professor inspires success through commitment, passion Rebecca lannucci Arts & Entertainment Editor When Virginia Novine-Whittaker began studying music, her reason for choosing the saxo phone was a bit unorthodox. “When I first had to choose an instrument, I thought, ‘What can I play that’s involved in the most groups so I could be in everything?”’ Whit taker said. ‘“What would be kind of cool?’And (the saxophone) is it.” Now, Whittaker — an adjunct instructor of music at Elon University — is passing on her love for the saxophone through private instruction for students with aU levels of experience. Outside of lessons for music majors, Whittaker said she is happy to take on students who have never played an instrument before. industry. A number of Elon graduates are now working as band directors and studio musicians. One alumnus is teaching saxophone students in the military. For Whittaker, though, the study of music has never been about career success. It is about passion and expression. “Musicians have a means of expression that goes beyond words, and people who don’t have that wish for it,” she said. “That’s what grabs me. And I love all the different emotions you can play and all the colors and all the different roles you can take on.” Whittaker said many students are not ac customed to wearing their hearts on their sleeves, which is practically required of musicians. But with some instmction, she said she beheves anyone can learn the art of expression. You have to live a life that has meaning. You have to live life large, and then you just play it large. - Virginia Novine-Whittaker, adjunct instructor of music “There’s a lot of opportunities for students on campus to get involved in the music department if they’re not majors,’’ Whittaker said. “I had a stu dent last semester (who) just always thought saxo phone was cool and she wanted to take something that was different. I taught her how to read music. In one semester, we went from her not ever blow ing a note on an instrument or reading music, to being able to play some intermediate jazz Hnes that sounded really good.” Of course. Whit- offers private in to advanced mu- jors, and many students have to procure the profes- taker also “You have to Hve a life that has meaning,” Whit taker said. “You have to Hve life large, and then you just play it large. I want to be able to share that and teach students how they can get in touch with that part of themselves.” Whittaker’s most sincere example of student transformation comes from several years ago, when a struggling high school student, who had run away from home, was still attending her saxophone les sons despite Hving “I just hung in on the streets, there with ing her,” “It was the held her For some what they to let them do it.” Whittaker said the importance of arts educa tion is what drives her to keep teaching. “It is important on so many levels for someone to study this,” she said. “It’s one of the few things that we do that has delayed gratification. It teaches the concept of how wonderful it is to achieve some thing after you’ve worked so hard and long for it.” MERISSA BLITZ | Staff Photographer Professor Virginia Novine-Whittaker prepares to teach a private saxophone iesson. Whittaker’s office has a number of instruments she has piayed and taught throughout her time at Elon. This is Whittaker’s 20th year teaching music. MERISSA BLITZ | Staff Photographer Afford abfc I Icm is U a.l3lCiAlll5s% (jcfccl H titles It tf Its al3 d.5\ long C. Jjirf |irqTiiiiai:i tliaih ddfckiMS kssciiTis fIME ITALC DIMIMG TlSiW'fisiih iraasi-Wi. - I-m7. yiifCiBiia Httf tl.lL 2260 S. Cliurch St,
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Sept. 19, 2012, edition 1
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