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Rebecca Gardner Selected for Lift Every Voice
The VWU senior is one of only six individuals selected for the symposium
University News | December 14, 2021
Rebecca Gardner ‘22 was recently selected as a fellow for the Lift Every Voice Symposium to be held at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in January 2022. One of 42 individuals invited to apply for the program, Gardner is among only six selected.
Lift Every Voice, sponsored by UIUC and American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), is a mentoring program for talented young choral conductors from underrepresented groups. The 2022 program will bring the six female ACDA members nearing the end of their undergraduate music study to the UIUC campus to work with an outstanding faculty of experienced conductor-teachers.
The week-long symposium will include private conducting lessons, conducting classes, participation in graduate-level choral courses, sessions on leadership, historical women composers, contemporary women composers, rehearsal technique, a history of women conductors, and round-table discussions on how to navigate the day-to-day challenges of being a female choral conductor. All participants will rehearse and conduct UIUC ensembles in a closing performance. Travel costs, housing, and tuition will be paid through the new Choral Music Engagement Fund at the University of Illinois.
Gardner, a mother of four, transferred to Virginia Wesleyan to complete her degree. She says she was looking for a school in Hampton Roads with a good music program that she could afford.
“Music education and choral conducting are my passions,” she said. “I hope to jump right in to the master’s program at VWU to pursue a career in K-12 choral music education after I graduate in the spring, and then teach and conduct choral music in a school or college in the area.”
Lift Every Voice was first recommended to her by Bryson Mortensen, Associate Professor of Music at VWU, who Gardner refers to as “a fantastic instructor.”
“It is an honor to have been chosen to attend this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Gardner. “I have learned from great men who have encouraged me on my journey to become a music educator while still being a mom. But it will be immensely beneficial to learn from other women, who have gone through the same struggles I have, how to navigate the world of choral conducting as a woman and mother.”
On the Virginia Wesleyan campus, Gardner has been involved with all of the choirs. Off-campus, she volunteers as the music director at her church. She also serves at two nursing homes each month to bring a church service to the residents.
“Obviously, most of my time outside of class is spent raising my children,” notes Gardner. “They are the reason I do what I do.”
During the symposium in January, Gardner is looking forward to learning how to better convey dynamics in her conducting, to break down a piece of music, and to create productive lesson plans.
“The women who are instructing at this event are world-class conductors, so I will be learning from the best," she said. "Also, I am looking forward to learning more about the history of both women conductors and composers. There will be a wealth of knowledge shared during this week-long experience, so I hope to make the most of it.”
Learn more about the Music Program at Òùµ´ÉÙ¸¾.