Alex Crowley came to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and found an opportunity to play in tune with his passion.
Drawn to the diversity and rhythmic qualities of music, the fourth-generation Husker spends his days learning about and playing instruments as part of the Glenn Korff School of Music. The senior music education major is a trombone section leader in the Cornhusker Marching Band and plays in the School of Music’s wind ensemble and symphonic band.
His journey to Nebraska might be considered fate as his parents are music professors and mom, Anne, is a Nebraska graduate (Class of 1989). However, Crowley said Nebraska has always been his “dream school” and his parents did not push him to follow in their footsteps.
“My parents never pushed me toward music or Nebraska,” Crowley said. “It just sort of happened that way.”
Nebraska’s nearly 150-year history combined with its vibrant array of student activities are what drew him from Hays, Kansas, to study in Lincoln.
“There’s always something changing on campus,” Crowley said. “You think you know everything there is about the university, but it’s always evolving and changing.”
Working with students, faculty and staff within the Korff School, marching band and ensembles are among his most rewarding activities on campus. He also values connections formed with band mates and other musically-inclined students.
“The awesome thing about being in the music school and marching band is there are a lot of people with different interests and different stories,” Crowley said.
And, Nebraska’s music professors have helped Crowley hone and direct his passion toward a future career. He has established a strong connection through private lessons and general conversations with Scott Anderson, professor of music and head of brass and percussion in the Korff School.
“He’s one of the smartest people I know,” Crowley said. “It’s awesome to be able to have casual conversations with one of my professors like that on a weekly basis.”
In summer 2018, Crowley combined his classroom lessons and musical passion in work as a counselor at the Interlochen Fine and Performing Arts Camp. The annual event is designed to give children the opportunity to perform and study music and fine arts.
“You see such crazy talent and amazing work from these young kids,” Crowley said. “It was rewarding to see them grow and feel more confident in themselves.”
After graduation, Crowley hopes to offer similar experiences to students he teachers. Ultimately, he hopes to help the next generation of musicians gain confidence, explore interests and discover something that makes them happy — the exact things he found at Nebraska.
