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Many students consider their senior year the high point of their academic careers, but for Christopher Jacoby ’07, it was the “zenith.”
Jacoby, who graduated with honors May 19 with an A.B. in music and is continuing to pursue a B.S in electrical and computer engineering, created a chamber composition he calls “Zenith” featuring parts for flute/alto flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano for his honors thesis. Using the approach of an engineer, Jacoby combined unique harmonies and drew from knowledge he gained in previous music courses.
According to adviser Skip Wilkins, assistant professor of music, Jacoby’s project is unique in many ways. Jacoby presented some compositions he developed to Wilkins when he had him for a course and continued to experiment on his own last spring. Wilkins noticed that as the material in the course became more complex and varied, Jacoby’s compositions not only reflected much of the content, but also went beyond it.
This past fall, Jacoby enrolled in 20th Century Harmonic Practices, a composition-based course where Wilkins says Jacoby wrote some of the most advanced pieces in the class and demonstrated skill that could help him become a professional composer.
“Combining the working processes of a musician with those of an engineer, Chris found a way to blend his interests,” says Wilkins. “He did some research on set theory and combined elements of ‘serialism’ and set theory in a work for Chamber Quintet. Chris started composing on March 14 and fittingly, used the mathematical formula forpi [the mathematical constant that approximates the number 3.14] as the basis of his primary set. His instrumentation of flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano reflected his interest in and familiarity with those individual instruments and his knowledge of the talents of specific musicians who would perform his piece.”
Helping Jacoby bring his music to life were Betty Tang, part-time private music instructor, on cello; music and language studies double major Allison Shapp ’08 (Plainview, N.Y.) on flute; electrical and computer engineering graduate Ben Doremus ’07 on clarinet; economics & business and mathematics double major Xin Wu ’08 (Easton, Pa.) on violin; and history and music double major Sean Gough ’09 (North Plainfield, N.J.) on piano. Jennifer Kelly, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities, helped Jacoby improve his conducting technique.
Jacoby also credits Wilkins for helping him maximize his use of the College’s available resources.
“Skip was an excellent help in this process,” says Jacoby. “He has been an excellent guide through many uncertainties I’ve had, with relation to keeping the scope of my project under control, as well as with putting my ensemble together to produce the final product.”
Wilkins is equally impressed with Jacoby’s aptitude for working across disciplines.
“Chris also planned and delivered this composition very much in the manner of an engineer,” says Wilkins. “He created elaborate diagrams and process-oriented documentation as he began to compose. The result was a spectacular blending of his skills and talents in organizing research. He took from engineering what there was to take and from music what there was to take. It is a perfect example of what is possible on our liberal arts campus.”
Jacoby plans to join AmeriCorps for a year after graduation and then pursue a graduate degree in composition, music technology, acoustics, ethnomusicology, and music theory.
Jacoby previously conducted EXCEL Scholars research in which he worked with Larry Stockton, professor and head of music; George Torres, associate professor of music; economics and business graduate Jessica Bigness ’07; neuroscience graduate Brad Maurer ’07; and economics & business and music double major Emmett Jusino ’08 (Freeport, N.Y.)on exploring obscure Latin jazz. He was a member of the Reeder Fellows program, fencing team, Concert Choir, Madrigals singing group, and Brass Ensemble. This year, he received the John D. Raymond Music Award.
Honors theses are among several major programs that have made Lafayette a national leader in undergraduate research. The College sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year; 21 students were accepted to present their research at this year’s conference.