Becca Van Wechel

Hi! My name is Rebecca Jo Van Wechel, but everyone calls me Becca. I am a senior music therapy major here at the University of Dayton. I came to UD from John Glenn High School in Walkerton, IN. For those of you that don't know, Walkerton is a very little town up near Notre Dame! My musical training prior to the University of Dayton was virtually non-existent. Until the fall of 1994, my first year at UD, I was primarily self-taught, with minimal help from some compassionate band and chior teachers!

Now, at UD, I study clarinet, which is my primary instrument. I have taken clarinet lessons under Dr. Christine Todey since I entered UD. I also have studied voice for the majority of my years here, under Alice Hotopp as well as Madelon Kinzig. In fact, I will be giving a recital at 2:30 p.m. on March 28, 1998, featuring both the clarinet and voice. While the repertoire is somewhat unknown at this point, I do know I will be performing Camille Saint-Saens' Sonate for Clarinet.

I have always been involved in numerous music ensembles throught high school, and certainly at the University of Dayton. Currently I am in Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Marching Band (in which I am a Clarinet section Squad Leader for the third year), and Clarinet Ensemble. In the Winter Semester, I am generally involved in Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble, Pep Band, Pit Orchestra, and Hands in Harmony. I have also participated in University Chorale, University Concert Band, and Clarinet Choir, although I am not currently active in them at this time.

The minimal free time I have is filled up with several clubs and sevice organizations. I love to go to Campus Crusade for Christ activities, although I can rarely fit them in! I also am a member of the Music Therapy Club which is a great way to get out in the community and provide service to those who need it. Most of my time, however, is taken up by Sigma Alpha Iota, the professional women's music fraternity here at UD. I am the creator and webmaster to our fraternity's webpage, as well as the 1997-98 editor.

In the few extra hours left, I work at the University of Dayton Archives. No, it has absolutely no relation to my major, but I have worked there since my freshman year, and I love it! I also enjoy being involved in my church at home and here at UD. Both of the churches are non-denominational Christian Churches with a love for God and Music. I have been a church organist for nearly ten years now and I also perform instrumental and vocal solos on a fairly regularly basis.

To sum things up, I love God, music, my family, and life. While it's easy to get lost in today's busy world, it is important to remember "When it's not a sunny morning, let your cheerfullness make it one!"

Listen to Becca Van Wechel, accompanied by Elizabeth Dallman perform part of the Allegretto movement of Saint-Saen's Sonate for Clarinet (38 sec., 300K .au) on February 21, 1997.