ALUM ARPEGGIO

When they were students, some Cal Lutheran alums sang with the university's widely heralded Choir, or performed in musical theater. Other alums played with campus groups like the Wind and Jazz Ensembles, or recorded their own distinctive sound in the Digital Music Lab. Whatever the manner in which they made music at CLU, many of these alums went on to careers in which their love of music could find daily expression — either in their own performance or the performance they make possible for others. The end result is more music in the world — which makes it a much more harmonious existence for us all.


MORIAH HARRIS-RODGER

Class of 2005

Major: Communication with a concentration in journalism

CLU Activities: Cellist with the University Symphony, University Orchestra; Wrote about music for The Echo student newspaper

Now: Executive Director - the Guitar Center Music Foundation, a national granting nonprofit that gets instruments into music education programs

Favorite Musician: Trevor Hall

I decided to be a part of The Guitar Center Music Foundation because all people deserve the same opportunity. I see the effects of music on many different types of people, those who are troubled, at-risk, disabled, or lonely.

Music teachers across the country have lost their funding because the decision makers don't understand that music not only improves test scores, it also strengthens society as a whole.

So far, I've gotten instruments out to over 23,000 people who otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity, and that is not enough. So, on a daily basis, I rally people together to support music."

JAQUELYNNE FONTAINE

Class of 2004

Major: Music; Magna Cum Laude & Departmental Honors

CLU Activities: Women's Choir, CLU Choir, numerous Theater Department productions, American Musical Theater Ensemble; Miss California (top 10) in 2004; Miss California - winner, 2006; Miss America - top 10 semifinalist, 2007

Now: Working towards her Doctorate in Musical Arts at USC's Thornton School of Music, and performing opera in Europe and the U.S.

Favorite Musicians: Mozart and Gershwin

My professors at CLU really pushed me, and I got the performance opportunities and one-on-one attention I needed.

Sometimes the head of the department would take us to operas and bring us backstage, and my first audition was with the conductor from La Scala, all because Dan Geeting (CLU Professor of Music) told him, 'You should listen to her. She's a great soprano.' It's that kind of nurturing environment that sums up what CLU is all about.

Now, music is my life. Saint Francis said that, 'when you sing you pray twice,' and for me music is the closest medium for experiencing and sharing God's love."

MARSHALL BOWEN

Class of 1975

Major: Music

CLU Activities: Viola in the University Orchestra and Chamber Music ensembles; Choir; Piano and electric bass for student bands

Now: Music aranger contributing to various Disney Films and freelance musician

Favorite Musician: J.S. Bach

Most of my time is spent at the Disney Music Library copying, proofing, and getting music ready for projects ranging from major motion pictures like 'Ratatouille,' 'Enchanted,' 'Narnia,' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean' to TV shows like 'Lost' and special projects like recopying music from Disney movies for an orchestral tour of Japan.

CLU was the perfect place for me to go to school. I had the opportunity to be in a wide variety of groups and ensembles, and even write music for them. This was the perfect preparation for my work at the studios."

COMPOSE

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