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Abigail Frueh ’04 (Havertown, Pa.) will present her current findings today from a yearlong independent research project that explores the musical careers of women during the swing era.

Frueh, a double major in music and psychology, is being guided by Larry Stockton, professor and head of music. She will present her work 4:15 p.m. in Williams Center for the Arts room 123. Refreshments will be provided.

“While there is no shortage of research on the ‘Swing Era,’ in general, very little substantive research has yet been done on female instrumentalists and female bands of the time,” Stockton explains. “I think Abigail’s research will tie together some important, yet missing, information.”

Frueh is researching bands including the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, the Sharon Rogers Band, the Darlings of Rhythm, and the Melodears. She is gathering information regarding the group’s performances, personnel, advertising and marketing methods, and tour schedules.

Frueh became interested in all-female big bands after taking a class entitled Music in America.

“I decided to do this project after reading a little bit about all-female bands. There was never much published on these girl groups at that time,” she explains. “There was about one paragraph about it [in my textbook], and I thought it was interesting.”

Frueh will head to the Rutgers University Jazz Institute, the top jazz research site in the world, to listen to various female recordings from the era. From this information, she will decipher how the life and career of an all-female big band compares to all-male big band groups.

“A lot of them didn’t get as much notoriety,” she explains.

Both Frueh and Stockton have been enjoying each other’s company outside the classroom.

“One of the true values of independent study projects is that the process redefines the student/professor relationship, often even reversing the traditional roles,” Stockton says. “I am, in fact, learning from her.”

“I’m very glad to be working with Dr. Stockton; he is approachable and eager to help me however he can,” Frueh says. “He’s very committed to the students and to the department, and it shows in the work that he does.”

Besides writing a paper on the topic, Frueh will present the information to Stockton and the rest of the music department at the end of the semester.

Both professor and student share the idea that Lafayette provides its community with a healthy environment for learning.

“I believe that one of Lafayette’s primary strengths and continuing responsibilities is in fostering the student-faculty relationship beyond the typical classroom setting,” Stockton says.

“Lafayette has numerous resources that provide students with the best possible atmosphere,” Frueh adds. “I’m pleased with both my majors. Both departments have provided me with a variety of experiences and classes to help me develop academically.”

Abigail’s father is Don Frueh ’70. She says the combination of her father’s positive experience and Lafayette’s outstanding reputation for psychology prompted her to attend.

Frueh is a tour guide, head peer counselor, and writing associate for the College Writing Program. She is the drum major for the pep band and a member of the wind ensemble. Frueh has also been involved with the concert band and orchestra. She plays the clarinet and piano.

“I’ve had music in my life forever,” she says. “My music major is just something else for me to value from my time here at Lafayette.”

Frueh’s future plans are to work in human resources or industrial psychology upon graduation in May.

She is a graduate of Haverford High School.

Independent studies are among several major opportunities at Lafayette that make the College a national leader in undergraduate research. Lafayette sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year. Over the past five years, more than 130 Lafayette students have presented results from research with faculty mentors, or under their guidance, at the conference.

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Abigail Frueh ’04 researched female big bands of the swing era in a senior project with Larry Stockton, professor of music.

Categorized in: Academic News