Behind the computers, technology and engineering principles are artistic minds that show themselves though music. Three College of Engineering and Computing students participated in a clarinet recital at the School of Music in the spring.

Ayla El-Mereebi, Sydney Weaver and Chris Daigle make up clarinet trio “The Engineers.” El-Mereebi and Daigle are computer engineering majors while Weaver is studying biomedical engineering. All three students study under Maria Ortiz, a doctoral candidate in the School of Music and clarinet studio graduate assistant.  

We call ourselves ‘The Engineers’ because we are all engineering majors, and it’s pretty funny to use that with pictures where it looks like we don’t even know how to put our instruments together.

 

— Chris Daigle

“It was Chris’ idea to do the recital. His original intent was to do the recital when he was a senior, but Maria, our lessons teacher, is graduating after this year and will be leaving the studio,” says Weaver. “He asked Ayla and me to join in order to prepare more pieces for the event.”

The trio began planning their concert last November while working on accompaniment pieces and were assigned their solos by Ortiz before spring break. Musical pieces ranged from classical pieces by Bach to more modern piece by Opperman.

“We wanted the recital experience that most non-music majors don't get,” says Daigle. “We call ourselves ‘The Engineers’ because we are all engineering majors, and it’s pretty funny to use that with pictures where it looks like we don’t even know how to put our instruments together.”

Music is more than just a pastime for Weaver. While her main focus is on biomedical engineering and her clinical technology and biomedical internship with Aramark, she focuses extra time and energy into her music minor. She takes various music courses to enhance her talent and to strengthen her skills so she can continue to perform through lessons or ensembles.