Samuel Hemrick is a senior majoring in General Music and minoring in Jazz. While his home may be Salt Lake City, UT, he has made a second one here with his vast involvement in JSU’s music scene. He serves as first chair tubist in the JSU Chamber Winds ensemble, is first chair/section leader of the 20Js in HardCorps, and has made the Dean’s List for the School of Arts and Humanities.

Why did you decide to attend JSU?

It’s honestly complete luck that I’m here. I was a very lazy senior in high school and didn’t do the work I should’ve while looking into and applying for music scholarships. A few weeks before I graduated, my high school band director—who is an alum here – managed to get me a very late scholarship audition. I was able to receive full tuition, so that’s when I decided to come here. I actually had never seen the Southerners before I came here.

What made you choose your major?

I’ve always loved playing tuba and learning about music, so there was no question about what I was going to major in.

In your opinion, what is the coolest thing about the Music Department?

Honestly, I think how big the Music Department is and how varied the ensembles I can play in is really cool; there’s much more variety than at my high school. I also love how passionate most of the professors are. I haven’t been in a single music class where it felt like a drag because the professor just wasn’t into it.

What clubs/organizations are you involved in?

I am involved in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity, Kappa Pi Art Fraternity, Marching Southerners, JSU Chamber Winds, JSU Civic Orchestra, HardCorps (the JSU pep band), the JSU jazz program, and a bunch of smaller ensembles.

What is your favorite thing to eat and/or drink on/off campus?

I like to cook, so I’ll usually make chicken and rice with steamed vegetables.

Where is your favorite place to hang out on campus?

I am pretty introverted so, if I’m not on campus for class, I’m usually at home, but I do like to spend time at Mason to practice or at the TMB (before the pandemic happened).

Who is your favorite musician?

My favorite musician would have to be Øystein Baadsvik, a Norwegian, world-class musician who is the only Tuba artist to ever make a career out of being a solo artist. My favorite musical group would have to be Lucky Chops, a brass band from New York.

What are your hobbies?

In my free time, I sometimes compose and arrange music, practice, or hangout with my friends and play video games.

What are your post-grad plans?

As of right now, my post-grad plans are to move to Sweden to attend the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and get my master’s in Music Performance.

What advice would you give a student who is new to JSU?

 The best advice I could give is to be passionate, whether it’s about school, work, friends, hobbies, or your significant other. Passion is truly one of the most important and intense emotions a person can feel; it drives us to be better people, even in the most indirect of ways.

What is a course you would recommend to a freshman at JSU?

 I would say music appreciation first, as I think a lot of majors require it and you can learn a lot. If you’re not really into that kind of thing, I would say just about any art class or appreciation class; you can learn some cool skills like the ability to create and you can possibly discover a passion that you didn’t know you had before.