Contents

Notes from the Collaborative

A Note from the Collaborative Director

Defining Collaboration: Collaborative Undergraduate Research Across the Disciplines

Collaborative Opportunities

Research and Academic Travel Funding Opportunities

Academic Travel Award Recipients

Celebrating Student and Faculty/Staff Collaborations

Student Profiles

Important Dates

Mar. 25, 2011 Collaborative Summer-Fall Grant applications due

Mar. 31 - Apr. 2, 2011 National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)

Apr. 18, 2011 Collaborative Continuation Grant applications due

May 2, 2011 Student Academic Travel Grant and Attendee Grant applications due

Student Profile: Lauren Mongin 

I was one of various students that were nominated by St. Norbert College to apply for the National Band Association Wisconsin-Chapter 2011 College All-Star Honor Band. After being nominated, I completed an application that was sent to the National Band Association. Based upon my nomination and application I was selected to play for the band. Specific reasons as to why I attended the conference are as follows. To begin with, it is always a great honor to be selected for a state band. Furthermore, the opportunity to play in such a band yields numerous benefits that will be addressed later.

While at the conference, my schedule was filled with many hours of rehearsal. The group of students from St. Norbert College arrived in Wisconsin Rapids for check in at the rehearsal location, where we completed three hours of rehearsal. The following day, the band had six hours of rehearsal and a concert performance later that evening.

Through my participation in this activity I have continued my exploration of music literature and conducting technique. These are both aspects that will help me to better prepare for my future as a director of bands. We prepared several pieces that I had not yet performed in my time as a musician, thus expanding my knowledge of music literature. This will be beneficial for me as a band director when I will be choosing and exploring literature for my own band program. In addition, I was able to experience playing under the direction of several conductors. As a musician this is beneficial in that it develops one's flexibility and discipline as a musician. I had to adjust quickly to the changes in each of the directors while maintaining quality musicianship. Lastly, given the opportunity to meet other musicians from Colleges around the state, I was able to network and gain various perspectives on literature, music philosophies, and musical concepts in general.