Wartburg chose me

NAME: Ridley Mullenbach
CLASS YEAR: 2022
HOMETOWN: Beaver Dam, Wisconsin 
MAJOR: Music

INVOLVEMENT ON CAMPUS: Wind Ensemble, Wartburg Community Symphony Orchestra, Drumline, Men’s Bowling team, Phi Eta Sigma, Zesty Orange student employee

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE WARTBURG: I chose Wartburg mainly for its well-known music program, but honestly, Wartburg chose me. The name ‘Wartburg’ floated around when I was in high school quite a bit, so I knew it was worth checking out. Once I got on campus for the first time and walked the sidewalks, I could quite literally imagine myself attending this school for the next four years. Everything clicked from the moment I set foot on campus and from then I knew that Wartburg was the place for me to be.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR MAJOR: I originally came in as a music performance major for multiple reasons. I knew I for sure didn’t want to study music education or music therapy, and I’ve always loved performing in a band setting. After my first year, I realized that as a performance major, I’d most likely have to perform as a soloist (which was a scary thought to have at the time), but I still wanted to learn more about music. When I found out that there was a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree, I knew that one was perfect for me. It was the best of both worlds. I could still get the same education about music and continue performing on my instrument.

Ridley Mullenbach

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER GRADUATION: Currently, I don’t have anything set in stone. However, I plan to move back home to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and work full-time at Kwik Trip. My hope is that I can work full-time there and also find some music performance opportunities in neighboring cities, like Madison or Milwaukee. Performing will always be the main goal for me, so whether it be part of a pit band, dinner theater, or symphony orchestra, it really doesn’t matter. The opportunities are endless!

HOW HAS WARTBURG SET YOU UP FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR FIELD: Being a part of Wartburg’s music program has given me a lot of exposure to new types of music that I don’t feel I would’ve been introduced to had I gone anywhere else. The Wind Ensemble has challenged me to play notes and rhythms I never imagined I could even execute, but with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. I have my director, Dr. Craig A. Hancock, to thank for that. He could see my full potential as a musician before I could. Ever since he came to my high school my senior year to conduct the honor band I was in, he made it his goal to get me to attend Wartburg.

I didn’t only grow from my experiences in Wind Ensemble, though. I’d never been in an orchestra before, but my lessons instructor, Dr. Charles Harris, convinced me to join the Symphony Orchestra on campus to get more music exposure. When I joined, I didn’t realize how different band compared to orchestra pieces are written. I found that while playing in an orchestra, you’re almost forced to listen to the other parts around you more often than you would in a band setting. Orchestra parts are often very soloistic and virtuosic, and if you aren’t paying attention, you might miss something crucial. I strongly feel that the Wind Ensemble and the Wartburg Community Symphony Orchestra have acted as great platforms for me to continue to build my performing abilities in the future.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR CURRENT STUDENTS: If I were to give a piece of advice to the current students at Wartburg, it would be to take advantage of on-campus activities/events. Especially after going through COVID and being sent home, we never truly know what the next day is going to hold. So go to an ETK Bingo Night. Attend a band or choir concert. Go to chapel or sanctuary. Go to a football game! Literally anything! And bring your friends! That’s how the best memories are made.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WARTBURG MEMORY: It’s a toss-up between two, but they’re both from freshman year. The first is touring internationally to Japan during May Term with the Wind Ensemble. It was my first time ever traveling outside of the U.S., and being able to do that with my friends from the band and doing something that I love, performing music, was truly amazing. The second happened during freshman orientation week at the Playfair event. We were doing an ice-breaker activity on the grass in front of Old Main and soon-to-be close friend Halley Holm came up to me and screamed as loud as she could “My left pinky toe hurts!”. Completely random, but I still think back on it and laugh to this day!

WHY IS WARTBURG WORTH IT: I’d say Wartburg is Worth It because of its opportunities available for students. At Wartburg, there’s truly something for everyone. Whether it be a sport, music group, or student-led organization/club, you’re able to create whatever life on campus you want! Even academically, students are able to create their own major if they can’t find a pre-existing one that matches what they’re looking to go into in the future. Wartburg is great at offering endless amounts of opportunities for students to choose from to bring all students up to their highest potential.