Sharon Graf: Bringing music to UIS
Music truly came alive at UIS when Dr. Sharon Graf arrived.
Seven years ago, the University had lots of talent and desire among its students, faculty, and staff, but no formal music program: no official choral groups, no bands, no pianos to practice with. There was passion and desire for music, but according to Dr. Graf, “not even a place to practice.”
What's an ethnomusicologist?
Then Dr. Graf joined the sociology/anthropology program at UIS. She came with impeccable academic qualifications in both music and anthropology (from Michigan State University, Kent State University, and the University of Wyoming).
As an ethnomusicologist, she would help students in her classes to think about how music is a part of a people’s cultural and social life, to compare and study music across cultures, and to consider how music affects culture and 
culture affects music.
Helping Students Make Music
Instead of just teaching students about music, however, Dr. Graf almost immediately found herself helping students make music.
Thanks to Dr. Graf, students at UIS can now perform in a chorus, a band, and a chamber orchestra. They can also join a world percussion ensemble with African drums, a basketball pep band, a jazz combo, various chamber music ensembles, and occasionally a Native American flute circle.
Challenges To Overcome
On the way to providing these opportunities, Dr. Graf faced some significant challenges:
- Finding a choral director and a band director.
With lots of experience performing and knowledge of music theory and history, but no degree in conducting, Dr. Graf stepped in to do this herself. As she describes it, “I loved performing, so I thought, ‘I’ll roll up my sleeves and see what happens.’” What happened turned out well: Dr. Graf still directs the chorus with growing interest from the students and the Springfield community members who have joined the chorus. The band and orchestra she instigated are now under the direction of adjunct professor Todd Cranson. - Finding a place to practice.
When Dr. Graf came, she shared one small room with the speech and debate team for the chorus, band, and orchestra to play in. The groups now have a larger rehearsal area including some practice rooms, but thanks to the growth of musical opportunities and interest on campus, the groups are rapidly outgrowing this space. - Finding a piano to practice with.
Dr. Graf met this challenge by ransacking university surplus for pianos to place in the practice rooms. She is hoping eventually to replace these less-than-ideal instruments. - Finding a place to perform.
The groups currently perform in UIS’ Studio Theater, but this requires paying for a lot of expensive set-up time and the cost of renting a performance-quality piano. The challenge of finding a better place to perform still looms for Dr. Graf.
Dr. Graf continues to fulfill her role as a professor, teaching students about music and culture, inspiring a wider understanding and appreciation of what music means to us. At the same time, she continues providing opportunities for students to make music themselves.
Her hopes for the future of UIS Music?
She named five:
- Offer a music minor, something that will enhance and expand the academic impact of her role at UIS. A music minor will require a colleague who can teach music courses.
- Find larger practice facilities and better pianos (“that won’t go out of tune so quickly”). She would especially like a grand piano for performances.
- Find performance space. Dr. Graf would love to have a place where she can keep a grand piano rather than having to rent one for every performance.
- A graduate assistant for the music program to help with the music library, and a plethora of other tasks.
- A better-staffed music technology lab. The music program needs a staff member who can help bring about all the amazing possibilities of the lab.
Each of these dreams requires funding, and yet what a Brilliant Future they would collectively create for UIS students and the larger Springfield community!
You Can Help
If you love music, if you think every educated person should have some knowledge of music and what it means to our culture, and most of all, if you believe students at UIS should have the chance to create music of their own, please consider making a gift to the music program at UIS.
You can also read more more about UIS' plans for improved music and theater facilities.
You can use the How You Can Help link at left to learn about funds you can give to in support of the Music Program. You can also contact our gift officer Jill Bohn at bohn.jill@uis.edu, or call our office at 217.206.6058.
