This mechanical engineering major has made himself a machine of music.
Freshman Will Tweeten is a member of Taylor Chorale and Wind Ensemble and was previously part of the acapella group, Backrow Barbers, for Nostalgia Night 2025. Despite not holding a music major or minor, Tweeten still enjoys involving himself in any activities that embrace the musical arts.
“Growing up, my parents were big pushers for being involved with music until at least high school,” Tweeten said. “So I grew up playing piano, and I enjoyed that somewhat … Then in fifth grade, I switched instruments to trombone. In seventh grade and in middle school, at some point, I got involved with the church choir and learned the euphonium and tuba.”
Tweeten enjoyed his high school choir experience, which helped him decide to join Taylor Chorale upon entering college.
He said he has enjoyed Chorale more thanks to its close-knit community.
“Every kind of group of people has their own brand of weird,” Tweeten said. “And the brand of weird that I’m used to is definitely shown in Chorale. It’s a lot of fun to just hang around with the people. Everyone is just really nice and builds you up when you’re not feeling great about how the music’s going, because what we do isn’t easy.”
Coming into Taylor, Tweeten decided to join Taylor Wind Ensemble in order to continue his practice with brass instruments.
He auditioned with both the tuba and the trombone.
“With most physical instruments, it’s all about muscle memory,” Tweeten said. “So once you stop playing for a bit, then you’re gonna lose the ability to do so. And I knew I wanted to keep at least some musical abilities for my brass playing.”
One campus musical event Tweeten was involved in was this year’s Stranger Things Airband with Second Center Wengatz and First East Olson. He said he had never done an activity similar to a lip sync battle, but enjoyed the experience with his wing and sister wing. One challenge for him, he said, was balancing his schedule with practices and schoolwork.
One of Tweeten’s favorite things about music is that there are a variety of genres, each with its own role, serving its own purpose.
“It’s interesting to see how the music can actually change how you’re viewing situations around you, but also how the situations around you make you interpret the music,” Tweeten said. “Because not all music has a definite explanation. Especially with instrumental pieces, you don’t really have it guaranteed. Like, this is what the song is about, unless the writer actually gives a transcript.”
The main challenge for Tweeten’s involvement in several music activities is time commitment, especially having chosen a difficult major, he said.
Tweeten advised that people who choose to get involved in music need to commit to it because if they believe they can learn it quickly while prioritizing many other things, they are not achieving the quality of music that it deserves.
Tweeten recommended time in people’s schedules to be devoted to music-related activities. This may include not going home for breaks to go on Chorale trips.
Tweeten said he looks forward to his time in Chorale in his future years at Taylor, and he hopes to spread God’s Word through music and sound on his trips.
