I ensure concerts run smoothly

Emily Martyka ’24
Manager of Music Work-Study/Music Librarian
Major: Music education
Home: Roselle, Illinois

My positions as music work-study manager and music librarian have helped me develop skills to become a professional and well-rounded music educator. My jobs include filing and organizing music and assigning roles for events such as recitals, music seminars, and concerts. Each worker must learn stage management, ushering, lights, and set up and take down in order to make the performers and directors feel comfortable and the shows run smoothly. 

Working as the music librarian here on campus, I’ve learned how to file music and gained a better understanding of why a music library is crucial to a successful music program. 

Serving in these positions has given me the opportunity to learn not only technical skills, but also leadership, communication, and professionalism. Managing students has allowed me to experiment with techniques that I can use in my future classroom. I am grateful to the music department and Cornell for allowing me the opportunity to work these jobs. At a bigger school I may not have been given this type of a leadership position. 

One of my favorite moments as manager of music work-study was last spring when we did Opera Scenes. Not expecting a huge turnout, we decided to hold the event in Ringer Recital Studio instead of Kimmel Theatre. While receiving instruction on stage manager duties, I received word from Dr. Laur that we were at capacity. We had to start pulling chairs from classrooms, and even seat people in our sound booth. Though my workers and I felt panicked, we were able to work together, seat all the patrons, and appear professional. 

See six other work-study student essays, covering jobs from writing tutor to social media student manager.