Meet Faith McDowell '22
Meet Faith McDowell, a sophomore studying Music Education. “I learned about Seton Hill from two of my high school music teachers who both graduated from Seton Hill. They told me I should look into it so I decided to attend ‘Music Major for a Day,’ (a program for prospective students to experience college for a day),” says Faith. “That was a really great experience for me because it was the first time I started to feel excited about going to college instead of being nervous. After the day was over, I knew I wanted to come to Seton Hill.”
Faith’s love for Seton Hill shows in her involvement inside and outside of the classroom. She is vice president of Seton Hill’s chapter of the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association as well as a member of Seton Hill’s chapter of the National Association for Music Education. She is a member of Seton Hill’s Marching Band and Setonia, a soprano and alto choir. Faith is also a Griffin Guide, writes for the Setonian magazine and is active in many clubs on campus.
Faith says that one of the most challenging obstacles about being a music major is finding a balance between her passion for doing what she loves - playing the piano - while practicing to perform well academically. “I have to remind myself why I am doing what I do, which can be hard at times,” says Faith. “My professors have always been supportive of this especially since they had similar experiences when they were students.”
Faith is most proud of how much she has grown as a musician while at Seton Hill. “One of my most challenging pieces so far has been the piece I performed for my spring jury (essentially a final exam for music students) this past semester,” says Faith. “I became very frustrated throughout the entire process, but I made a lot of progress and it is now one of my favorite songs because of how much hard work I put it into it. Throughout the entire process, my professors were supportive while pushing me to challenge myself in order to become better.”
“One of my proudest accomplishments was winning the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s Composition Contest,” adds Faith. “I believe I was able to accomplish that because of everything I have learned at Seton Hill. Although my courses can be challenging at times, I’m constantly looking forward to what I learn and how it will make me a better musician.”
Seton Hill has given Faith the opportunity to combine two of her passions in life - music and education. She says that being at Seton Hill has allowed her to grow not only as a musician but also has shown her the impact she will have as a future educator. “I’m learning that there is so much more to being an educator than teaching the coursework. It’s about being a better person in order to help others.”
Faith is looking forward to continuing to grow as a musician and one day teaching others with the same passion.