In the nine short months since her arrival, Jemma Lowi ’29 has made her mark on the Davidson College Music Department.
Upon her acceptance to Davidson College, Lowi received the Cybulski music scholarship for flute. Recipients of the scholarship receive lessons on their primary instrument or voice for all four years and are required to continuously participate in an ensemble of the department’s choosing. For Lowi, this means weekly flute lessons and involvement with the Davidson College Symphony Orchestra.
However, Lowi’s musical talents don’t end with flute. She is also a foundational piece in the Davidson College Jazz Ensemble as a piano player.
Dr. Patrick Brown, Director of the Davidson College Jazz Ensemble, was one of the music faculty involved with bringing Lowi to campus last fall.
“Jemma was one that we were recruiting and that I was actively trying to get to Davidson,” Brown said.
Brown was quick to notice Lowi’s dedication to music before she made her official commitment to the College. After Lowi was awarded the Cybulski music scholarship, Brown met her at a dinner for prospective music scholars.
“I could tell she was a very serious musician. Seemed very serious about her studies and her future and we got along very well,” Brown said.
Meeting Brown at the prospective scholars dinner last spring solidified Lowi’s interest in joining the Jazz Ensemble at Davidson College.
“I wound up at a table with Dr. Brown and a couple of other people […] they were all talking about jazz and the Jazz Ensemble, so I figured, okay, if I do anything, I’m gonna do that here,” Lowi said.
Considering Lowi’s high level of musical expertise as a first-year student, it is unsurprising that music has been a steadfast presence in her life since a young age.
“My parents put me in piano lessons when I was three,” Lowi said.
She added a second instrument to her portfolio a bit later.
“I’ve been playing the flute since sixth grade. My aunt gave me a flute, so that was kind of chosen for me,” she said.
The transition from high school to college music can be a stark jump for some. For Lowi, however, the newfound freedom that comes with musical involvement at Davidson has only encouraged her commitment to music.
“With the music department [at Davidson], it’s kind of your responsibility […]I feel like you have to know what you want more and go for it because no one’s holding your hand anymore,” she continued.
The opportunity to connect with others through music drives Lowi’s passion and confidence in her own abilities, beginning specifically with her involvement in jazz combos during high school.
“My friend actually made me join a [jazz] combo that he created in high school. I didn’t think anything of it at the time but […] We wound up playing a bunch of paid gigs in the community.” Lowi said. “I learned like 80% of my jazz foundation stuff just playing with other people […] which I think that’s how you should do it anyway.”
As Lowi continues to develop her skills, this foundational desire to play with a diverse group of people and learn from others has held true.
“Playing with people from all walks of life, all backgrounds, all different experiences with jazz or like fusion, latin-rock […] just getting to sit down and play with people who you respect as musicians, but also really value as people […] it’s an unforgettable experience,” Lowi said.
Working alongside her peers in the Davidson College Music Department has proven particularly important to Lowi’s transition into the college music scene.
“Mentors obviously are so important, but [so are] the people you grow beside […] when I make connections with people [for whom] music plays the same role in their life as it does in mine, it’s really nice to have those people in your life,” Lowi said.
Lowi’s connections with her peers within the music department go both ways. Chae Lee ’28, who plays classical flute alongside Lowi in the Davidson College Symphony Orchestra, described her appreciation for Lowi’s passion.
“I think she does it truly for the love of the game, and that is what I really like to see, especially at Davidson or other top schools, it can get really competitive […] you don’t do things to fulfill your heart. But I think she’s someone who does it to fulfill her heart,” Lee said.
Nolan Elder ’27, a saxophonist and one of Lowi’s peers in the Davidson College Jazz Ensemble, pointed out Lowi’s talents as a multi-disciplinary musician.
“Jemma is very gifted musically and I’m always impressed when I hear her play. No matter what instrument or genre, if she’s playing I know it will be great,” Elder, an accomplished musician himself, said.
After expressing her admiration of Lowi’s sheer talent as a flute player, Lee added her thoughts on Lowi’s cross-field expertise with classical piano.
“Going from classical to jazz is like the same thing as asking a ballet dancer to dance hip hop […] she’s mastering two different fields and two different instruments […] I think that’s pretty great in her own right,” Lee said.
With her first year at Davidson coming to a close, Lowi reflected on her progress as a musician thus far, and looked forward to what’s to come.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how my musicianship grows and progresses,” Lowi said. “When I practice, I record myself a lot, and I like to go back and listen to the recordings, and sometimes I’m like, ‘oh wow, this sounds really good,’ but then I go back two weeks later, listen to it, and I think ‘oh gosh, that sounds horrible, […] but if I think I sound worse then, it usually means I’m better now.”
Lowi’s next three years at Davidson, as well as post-graduation, will only offer more freedom to explore. Brown anticipates success.
“I think she has a bright future no matter what she decides to do,” Brown said. “I’m curious what twists and turns she’ll take and where she’ll end up. I’m looking forward to watching it.”