Drury boasts of its high level of student involvement and participation on campus. Beyond the classroom setting, academic departments have related organizations in which students can be involved. Many of these organizations are very flexible and are easy to get connected with because they are tied to students’ majors.

The music therapy department has Mu Theta, a group focused on reaching out into the music therapy community through professional contacts and performances.

Junior music therapy major Lauren Yakel said she got involved with Mu Theta her sophomore year and has continued to be active in the club this year.

Sophomore music therapy major Genevieve Travers is also involved in Mu Theta. Travers became part of Mu Theta during her freshman year. She expressed her interest in the organization for a few different reasons.

“I really like that it has to do with my major and the career I want to go into. We get to do a lot of advocacy events and promote music therapy,” Travers said.

One event Mu Theta hosts and supports is the Big Momma’s Nights. Once a month, students get to display their talent on the stage at Big Momma’s Coffee and Espresso Bar.

“I love Big Momma’s Nights because it’s a chance to showcase the incredible musical talents of the Drury music department in a setting that isn’t classical or graded, like we are used to,” Yakel said.

Audience member sophomore Megan Merseal agreed: “Getting to hear the different talents people possess is my favorite part of the Mu Theta Big Momma’s nights.”

Travers also enjoys watching her classmates play on stage. While she did not perform at the latest Big Momma’s night, she has been involved in the past.

“I like Big Momma’s because it’s really fun and there are a lot of great performers and talented people,” Travers said.

It can be intimidating, though, to get up and perform in front of a crowd of people.

“My sophomore year was the first time I ever performed without the safety net of someone else with me,” Yakel said.

She chose to play “The Boxer” by Mumford and Sons.

Junior music therapy majors Lauren Yakel and Anissa Wiant perform at the Big Momma’s night on Sept. 22. Photo provided by Barbie Causley.

“I was insanely nervous because I had never been very confident in my singing voice. But it was received so warmly and with so much support from the audience that I have performed in every Big Momma’s Night since,” Yakel said.

She continued by saying that it is a safe and supportive environment for students to gain performance experience, which is extremely valuable in the music department.

To get involved with Mu Theta, students must be a music therapy major. If students want more information they can contact the director of the music therapy department, Natalie Wlodarczyk. Any student in the music department can perform at the Big Momma’s nights. The entry fee is $3 and the Big Momma’s location is on Commercial Street (C-Street).

Yakel and Wiant continuing their performance. Photo provided by Barbie Causley.

Article by Taylor Perkins.