Sunderman Spotlight: Logan Santiago
Logan Santiago ’19 will perform her senior recital on Sunday, November 18 (Photo provided)
By Alex Pearson, Staff Writer
What is your major?
Music Education
What is your instrument?
Violin
What has been the most important part of your conservatory experience?
I think one of my favorite things I have learned at the conservatory is how to play gamelan instruments. I have been a part of Gamelan Gita Semara (our Balinese music ensemble on campus, we rehearse Sundays 4-6 🙂 ) all four years I have been at Gettysburg and it has become one of my favorite things to do. I also got to travel to Bali, Indonesia to play gamelan and take a class the summer before my sophomore year. That was an experience that I will never forget and that I hope to carry with me into my teaching.
How will your time here have influence on your career in music?
Being a music ed major, I of course learned a lot about how to teach music to others. But I think a lot of what I hope to carry through to my teaching career is the joy that comes from performing music with others in the many ensembles that I have been in throughout my time at Gettysburg. I hope to be able to create that for students and ensembles that I teach in the future.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I would love to teach elementary strings and general music.
Tell me about your recital.
For my recital I picked pieces that I enjoyed listening to at different points in my life. I heard the Mendelssohn violin concerto on a CD my mom would play in the car when I was very young; at a point when I was still playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and it was just a pretty piece, not something I would ever play. So it’s very cool to be able to now perform it years later.
I first heard the Piazzolla Primavera Porteña at a music camp and immediately fell in love with it. It was actually one of the first pieces I decided I wanted on my recital. I’m also playing the Dvorak American quartet which I first heard heard in college and is now one of my favorite pieces. Another piece I’m playing is the Khachaturian Clarinet Trio which is very different from many of the things I have performed before, but I have grown to really enjoy.
What is your advice for future conservatory students?
Try not to lose sight of why you are here. It’s natural to get so stressed and overwhelmed that you don’t remember why you wanted to do music in the first place. When that happens, take a deep breathe, and listen to something you truly enjoy. Think of a moment in the past when you were truly excited about the music you were making. You can even talk to a professor about it! Many of them have been in a similar position at some point or another in their life. Also, remember that you’re not alone! This happens to many people and it won’t last forever. It’s so important to take some time for yourself to remind yourself of what you love about music and to enjoy music outside of what is required in the conservatory.
Also, join Gamelan! It’s super fun!
Logan Santiago will perform her senior recital on Sunday, November 18 at 2:30 p.m. in Paul Recital Hall.
