MUNSEN LEADS WITH A
Show of Hands
Photos by David Norris
BY AMBER MURRY • BETHANY SENIOR ENGLISH MAJOR
Mariah Munsen conducted a piece during the 2019 Christmas at Bethany concert in Trinity Chapel.
Senior music major steps up to help conduct band When Bethany senior Mariah Munsen received the phone call from Assistant Professor of Music Ben Faugstad asking her to conduct a Concert Band performance taking place in less than a week, emotions flooded her mind. This concert was the first of the semester as well as the first Bethany outdoor concert in several years. “I was excited to do it and a little bit nervous, but mostly, I was just thinking, ‘Let’s do this.’” This type of reaction is exactly the reason Faugstad chose Munsen as a substitute conductor after injuring his back in early September. Faugstad is the director for several of Bethany’s instrumental ensembles, including Concert Band, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and the B-Town Drumline. He traditionally directs and conducts all of these groups, but is also careful to allow plenty of opportunities for students like Munsen to take a more central role than usual. Munsen has been heavily involved in various parts of the Music Department during her time at Bethany. Her primary instrument is the flute, which she plays as a member of the Concert Band. For the Jazz Ensemble, she provides accompaniment on the piano. While at Bethany, Munsen has also learned to play the snare drum for B-Town Drumline. In previous years, she has enjoyed playing the violin for Chamber Orchestra while also making time in her busy schedule for choral music. These activities are quite befitting for her music major, but Munsen’s 14
true passion is conducting. As an augmentation to her emphasis in conducting, Munsen also takes private lessons to sharpen her skills. In the interest of gaining extra hands-on experience, she has had the opportunity to conduct individual songs for other past concerts, including the beloved Christmas at Bethany concert. This previous experience made her the ideal candidate in Faugstad’s mind to take on the role of conducting all five songs of the September concert, last-minute though the change was. After just a few practices with the band during the week before the concert, Munsen was ready to go. Faugstad praised her willingness to take on the task. “She didn’t hesitate. That’s a huge credit to her attitude and her confidence in her skills, and the ensemble were right with her. They basically embraced her conducting without hesitation, and the concert was wonderful.” The student conductor wasn’t the only new aspect of this concert. Due to the ongoing global pandemic, Faugstad and other members of the Bethany Music
