By Allison Lozada —
The Rossey building houses many talents such as guitarists, percussionists, singers and music teachers. Dr. Maredia Warren is the Coordinator of Music Education here on campus and is one of the many responsible for the future music teachers. Her job is to train music majors into becoming music educators.
Warren explained that she has had a strong passion for music for most of her life. “[As] a child I was musically inclined,” admitted Warren, “I have to thank my parents for recognizing that I had talent.” When she was five years old her father brought a piano home and she began to play with it on her own which led to her lessons. She explained, “My ear and talent put it (music) together.”
Warren’s interest in music went further from piano. She has been playing the organ since a child, played the saxophone, trumpet, and glockenspiel in her High School band. She also was involved in her college marching band.
NJCU has a university chorale, jazz band, symphony of winds and percussion (symphonic band), and an orchestra. All of these ensembles perform one concert per semester. The orchestra of strings is not to be confused with the pit orchestra which is the musicians who perform at plays.
Dr. Warren’s involvement with NJCU’s Department of Music, Dance, and Theatre (MDT) started in 2000. Among many of her accomplishments she has conducted several honor choruses which include the New Jersey All State Mixed Chorus, the New Jersey All State Women’s Chorus, and the Massachusetts ACDA Women’s Honor Choir. Among her involvement, has also been the Director of Choral Music at Teaneck High School in Teaneck, New Jersey. She has also traveled, toured, and held workshops in Africa, Australia, Canada, China, and Europe.
While some students aspire to join the campus of NJCU with a musical talent it is not rare to find students who can play more than one instrument. “[There’s] always room for growth,” said Warren.
When asked what is her most rewarding part of her job she replied, “Seeing the change in students and to see how they progress from year to year, blossoming as artists or future teachers.”
Students must audition on their best instrument to become part of the music department, however if they are at a crossroads on which instrument they should focus, they are simply advised to go forward with the instrument “they are stronger with and have preference for.” Nevertheless, some students still apply (study another instrument) or dabble in bands outside of NJCU.
Warren was a part time educator at William Paterson University, Montclair University, Herbert H. Lehman College, and Fairleigh Dickinson University. To say she has a good amount of experience in her field would be an understatement.
The music department is “central to the life of the university,” said Warren. “We hope this department will continue to grow and continue to be one of the best places for educating musicians and teachers.”
There is never a dull moment when passing by the Rossey building because of all the music seeping out. Some may complain they are practicing too loud but as Warren describes it, “The university campus is dead without music.”
Editor’s note: Some of the information stated above was provided by the NJCU website.