Sabrina Infanger
Christmas lights, gingerbread houses and hot chocolate are a few of Sabrina Infanger鈥檚 favorite things during the holiday season. But most of all, she loves the enduring tradition of Christmas carols.
For the MSU senior music education major from Starkville, music has always been a part of her life, with violin taking center stage when she was 10 years old. Every holiday season, she pulls out her book of Christmas carols and plays them on the violin, especially her two favorites, 鈥淭he Christmas Song鈥 and 鈥淪ilent Night.鈥
鈥淏oth songs are so beautiful to play and listen to,鈥 Infanger said. 鈥淓ven without the words, the violin can express their meaning so well, which is part of the reason I love them.
鈥淢y family has a tradition on Christmas Eve where we鈥檒l sing carols, and my dad will get out his guitar and play and I鈥檒l get out my violin and play,鈥 she continued. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really a peaceful night just to sing with my family and play with my family, with music at the center of it.鈥
Infanger says another one of her favorite things is performing with the Starkville-MSU Symphony, particularly in its Christmas concert. It鈥檚 one of the many opportunities the MSU Department of Music has presented Infanger to help her learn and grow as a musician and as a teacher.
鈥淭here鈥檚 so many things I get to participate in that give me so much experience,鈥 Infanger said. 鈥淚 recently went to Memphis to help with master classes in one of their schools, and I鈥檝e been able to teach with MSU鈥檚 Community Music School. All these opportunities build up and are going to help me next semester with my teaching internship.
(Video by Sarah Kirk)
鈥淚 also really value how willing the faculty are to work with you. I鈥檝e had some classes where I wanted to learn more, and the professors taught me more or helped me do independent studies. They鈥檙e so open to working toward what you want your education to be, and I really appreciate that.鈥
When Infanger has her own music classroom one day, she hopes to instill a love for music in her students, whether it鈥檚 timeless Christmas carols or the latest hits.
鈥淚 want my students to know that music is fun and that they can be excited to come to lessons or music class,鈥 Infanger said. 鈥淚 also want them to know that playing music is a way to express their emotions, and it can bring them so much peace and joy, as it has for me.鈥
