IU Northwest students spearhead the RedHawk Orchestra Club
A community can form around any number of things, but music in particular has a long history of bringing people together. Musical traditions date back thousands of years and today our collective love of music is undeniable with sold-out music festivals and concert tickets with thousand-dollar price tags.
Expensive shows aside, most of us enjoy music in subtle ways, too — listening to a Spotify playlist, enjoying a movie score or humming a tune while typing up an essay. And, now, Indiana University Northwest students have another way to engage with music.
The RedHawk Orchestra Club is a student-led organization that intends to give students a place to make music together. Club President Miriam Ahmad is enthusiastic about creating this new community on campus.
“I started the club to create a space for students to share their love of music, regardless of their skill level or experience,” she said. “I wanted to foster a community where performing arts could thrive on campus and provide a platform for collaboration and creativity.”
Ahmad has played the cello since sixth grade, but she emphasizes that you don’t have to be a veteran player to participate. The RedHawk Orchestra Club includes everyone, even those just learning their instruments.
“Inclusivity is essential,” Ahmad said. “By welcoming all students, we aim to create a vibrant community where everyone can contribute to and enjoy music in their own way.”
Though the club hasn’t been active for very long, it already has 10 members, with strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion all represented.
Erin McHugh, club advisor and director of arts programming and engagement, said the club’s success is due to its leadership.
“The students running the club are super motivated and hardworking,” McHugh said. “Without leadership from the club president, the group simply wouldn’t exist.”
In addition to excellent leadership from Ahmad and the orchestra club’s other officers, a growing interest in music on campus has spurred its success.
“IUN is eager to have musical activities on campus. We’ve seen this with the new music minor and growing number of music classes, as well as the positive receptions to concerts,” McHugh said.
Last semester, the orchestra club held well-attended lunchtime concerts and played at “An Evening at the Orchard,” an annual scholarship fundraiser. Going forward, club leadership plans to continue their lunchtime series and have an additional performance in the main theater in late spring.
Putting on a concert is no small feat. In addition to sorting out all the event planning details, club members spend hours practicing their instruments and rehearsing together. But Ahmad, a health services major, believes the time commitment is worth it.
“We get so caught up in our busy-bee student lives that we often forget to spend time investing in things we enjoy doing,” she said. “Having this club on campus fosters a sense of community and encourages students to explore and develop their passion.”
Although Ahmad isn’t planning a music career, McHugh knows the benefits of being a musician go far deeper than just securing a job. She explained playing a musical instrument helps with social and emotional growth, and teaches a plethora of interpersonal skills.
“Playing in an ensemble provides students an opportunity to learn collaboration, responsibility, trust and being aware of your surroundings. You learn that every contribution is equally important,” McHugh said.
And isn’t that what community is about? When everybody contributes, and we value those contributions, we’re all happier and more engaged.
“The RedHawk Orchestra Club is more than just a musical group — it’s a community where students can grow together, find inspiration and make lasting connections,” Ahmad said.
Ahmad’s success with the RedHawk Orchestra Club is proof of the vibrant campus community at IU Northwest. And, if you don’t already see a community for you, you can always create your own!
