On Feb. 14, Lisa Koerselman joined Northwestern’s team as the new secretary for the music department. She is excited to start her new job, but there is no time to relax since the spring semester is filled with many music events.
Koerselman, serves the full-time and adjunct faculty, students and prospective students coming to NW for visits and auditions. Not only does she manage and connect with the NW faculty and students, but she is also in charge of knowing every need, piece of information and all the ins-and-outs of the music department.
Dr. Thomas Holm, music professor and member of the department chair for the music department, made a comment about Koerselman. “Although Koerselman is new to the team, she has quickly embraced her role and is quickly becoming that person that knows and can care for all our department needs. We could not manage without her.”
Having a schedule filled with teaching multiple courses at NW including both sections of Music History, Beginning Conducting, Advanced Conducting, Vocal Diction and Exploring Music is busy enough, but Dr. Holm does much more. He also directs two of the three choral ensembles: A cappella choir and Heritage Singers chamber choir. Dr. Holm has a full schedule, yet he is only one of the handful of people and tasks Koerselman keeps track of. As stated before, the music department could not run smoothly without Koerselman’s role as the music secretary.
Outside of just the role of Dr. Holm, there are many other events to keep track of. Over spring break, A cappella choir will tour the Phoenix area. In April there are 13 music performances, and the symphonic band will have a regional tour. Soon after, a capella choir will join the Sioux County Oratorio Chorus, an orchestra and professional soloists for a performance of Mozart’s Requiem on April 27 in Christ Chapel. Adding on to the packed timeline of events, the women’s choir, orchestra, symphonic band, jazz band and a capella choir will all give concerts on campus throughout the spring semester.
Someone who is keeping track of other schedules and making sure everything runs smoothly for everyone else must have a heart to serve. Koerselman is a perfect addition as she fills the need to serve the music department and she does it in an excellent way. Early as she is into her new job, people love her as she quickly grasps and understands what she needs to do and how to make the lives of those around her easier.
However, Koerselman is no stranger to NW as she graduated from the college in 2005. “I have always loved music and was involved in Chapel Ministry while a student… music has always been a big part of my life,” said Koerselman. She loves the idea of supporting the music department and seeing this job open was the perfect fit for her.
“I took piano lessons in elementary school, played in the band in middle school and did choir throughout middle school and high school,” said Koerselman. Having a musical background with administrative and organizational abilities makes her the perfect fit for this position.
