Spring brings a fresh start. As the flowers start to rise from the soil, so does the energy surrounding nature. The vibrant colors are soon to be seen decorating fields and trees, eliminating the dreariness of winter as the sun guides the plants to a new light.
The UW-Whitewater Music Department has been working hard to find candidates to help guide the orchestra into a new light, as the old maestro, Christopher Ramaekers, became the director of orchestral activities at the University of Texas at El Paso.
An announcement about the new conductor was made March 12, a development that could shape students’ outlook. New Assistant Professor of Orchestra Conducting Kelby Schnepel is eager to meet the students and get to work.
“I felt honored and excited upon hearing the news,” Schnepel said. “I feel this university is the right fit for me.”
Before accepting this new role, Schnepel and many others were being filtered into conducting the orchestra, getting feedback from current faculty and seeing how the students responded to their respective styles.
“I want the orchestra to learn about community and personal connections,” Schnepel said. “I want there to be a human connection throughout the ensemble with a sense of collaboration within the music while serving their role in the community.”
With Schnepel’s background in music education, his main focus is to assist those going into that field while giving them a sense of reward by helping them with their journey to positively impact others.
Schnepel’s experience with conducting goes back to his time as an undergrad, when he was taking conducting lessons, which blossomed into working with other musicians through many orchestrations. As Schnepel’s career developed into his master’s degree, he found himself really enjoying working with collegiate groups, which continued his progression of appreciating this art and learning about the skill of conducting.
“I want to pick music that students won’t get bored with,” Schnepel said. “I want to pick good music that people should discover while helping different sections of the orchestra connect.”
His future goals with the ensemble are to continue growth within the students as both musicians and people, while learning new ways to help students through the guidance of his fellow faculty.
“Kelby has been amazing from the start,” performance major and viola player Angelica Altoro said. “He made that effort to connect, to learn our names, instruments, what we do and even come to other recitals and concerts.”
The talk around him is positive. In conversations with friends, excitement builds before the ensemble starts and lingers after it ends. With a new conductor comes a new beginning for the ensemble, marked not only by musicality but also by blossoming connections.
“I not only speak for myself, but probably everyone else when I say I am very happy that Kelby is staying as our orchestra director,” Altoro said.
As Schnepel’s first semester continues with a new and fresh perspective, color through music will continue to be vibrant. You may experience those colors in person, a playlist, or the drop of a new album. Spring is bringing back energy to finish the semester strong while having perspective and absorbing knowledge.
