Penn State’s Music Service Club uses the musical gifts of its members to serve the community and build strong connections with each other.
Music Service Club hosts general body meetings every other Monday in the Willard Building to give announcements about upcoming events and has activities that promote bonding among the members.
The organization also works to build the musicianship of its members, holding sectionals for groups of students who play the same instruments to develop their skills together.
President Gabriel Bulacan has been a member for four years, finding that the club is great to both make a difference in the lives of others and the musicians themselves.
“Music Service Club gives you both an outlet for if you want to help others and gives you an outlet for social stuff,” Bulacan, a fourth-year studying biomedical engineering, said. “It’s a fun experience while being able to interact with people who care about each other and about music and want to make those two things come together.”
The events Music Service Club participates in range from bringing nostalgic tunes to nursing homes to having a sing-along with Penn State’s LifeLink program for students with disabilities.
The club has also performed at THON, APO Scouts events and at homeless shelters around Centre County.
Music Service Club functions by having members sign up for the events they can participate in, choosing to play solo, with a group, or a combination of both. Music Service Club allows instrumental and vocal performances, giving students the ability to showcase their talents.
The group helps these other organizations to bring joy and fun experiences that break up their typical, everyday proceedings, bettering the local State College community and beyond.
Vice President Olivia Knoechel has found the club’s service fulfilling, as it helps to introduce her to people she might not have met otherwise.
“Getting the chance to bring music to people in the State College community and seeing the smiles on their faces makes me so happy that I was able to do something for them and make their day better,” Knoechel, a third-year studying architectural engineering, said.
The organization is also diverse in the majors and backgrounds of the students, not requiring experience or mastery to take part in the service opportunities.
Secretary Elise Groff has performed with the club for three years, wanting to have a way to still perform music while not having a music-focused major.
“We take anyone who is interested in performing or giving back to the community in the form of music,” Groff, a third-year studying chemistry, said. “We take all levels, all instruments, all voices. Anyone who wants to perform.”
Even though he’s not involved with the School of Music himself, Jacob Waniewski has found a community in Music Service Club that allows him to continue playing music and developing his skill.
“I think we tend to get a lot of music students just because it’s a music club, so it makes sense,” Waniewski, a third-year studying finance, said. “From personal experience, I’m not a music student. I’m a finance major; I’m pretty distant from it all, but I think it really appeals to everybody.”
Having a diverse group of students helps to foster friendships with others who can bond over niche interests or learn about new perspectives from other members.
Erika Clemens has been a member of the organization for two semesters, finding that it has helped her build a strong group of friends after arriving at Penn State.
“As a freshman, it’s helped me meet new people and helped me feel connected to a group,” Clemens, a first-year studying molecular biology, said. “Coming here, I didn’t really know anybody, so this kind of helped me to find my group.”
Kate Chiulli has been a member of the organization for one year, enjoying the freedom and community that Music Service Club breeds.
“It’s a really awesome way to meet new people, specifically meet other musicians in a really safe environment,” Chiulli, a second-year studying veterinary and biomedical sciences, said. “We do a lot of really fun and rewarding activities when we go to perform, so it’s a really good way to meet other people.”
The club connects its members to each other and the outside community, expanding its horizons beyond Penn State, as Knoechel reflected on.
“Anytime I get to go to any of our events, I remember there’s other people out there,” Knoechel said. “It just brings me a lot of joy when other people come to our club and have had the same experience that I have or haven't had.”
The members encourage musicians of any skill level or with experience in any instrument to join so they can share their musical talent with communities throughout the State College area.
“It’s really special to be able to share your love for music with (the community),” Chiulli said. “As long as you have a passion for music and want to share it with other people, that’s pretty much the only requirement.”
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Editor's Note: Amanda Vogt is a former Daily Collegian staff member.
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