Finding the Harmony Between Coding and Music

Zachary Weiss ’27 has been playing the clarinet ever since the 5th grade. However, he jokes that  there wasn’t a super deep reason why he picked this particular instrument. “I just really liked the cat’s theme from ‘Peter and the Wolf,’” he says.

Weiss continued to play the clarinet throughout middle school and high school. “In high school, I started to become especially passionate about music,” he says. “I was fortunate enough to earn a leadership position in the school marching band, which turned out to be very helpful in shaping my passion and applying to college.” When he heard about Trinity University’s music scholarship, he saw the opportunity to continue his passion in college.

Trinity’s music scholarships are open to all incoming first-years, regardless of their majors, encompassing merit-based awards in piano, voice, brass, composition, and more. Students can receive up to $10,000 in scholarship money that is renewed annually.

“My scholarship has definitely had a positive impact on my experience at Trinity,” Weiss says. “I get to save money on school by playing music, which I'd be doing even without the scholarship.”

The application process for the music scholarship was much easier than Weiss initially expected. “I had to record myself playing scales and some pieces of my choice, and then send in the recording, so it was less stressful than I thought it would be,” he says.

While Weiss originally came to Trinity as a bass clarinetist, he has picked up soprano clarinet and alto saxophone throughout his musical journey here. Trinity’s music department boasts many different ensembles ranging from jazz, vocal, piano, handbell, percussion, flute, and more. These ensembles are open to all Trinity students, regardless of their field of study, and Weiss is a great example of how, at Trinity, you can be a part of as many ensembles as you want. Since his first year, Weiss has played with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Trinity Symphony Orchestra, the Jazz Band, the Jazz Combo, and the Stand Band. He is currently a member of the Wind Ensemble, the Jazz Combo,and the Stand Band and is also enrolled in composition lessons, clarinet lessons, and saxophone lessons.

Outside of music, Weiss is also interested in coding, a hobby he picked up in high school. “My early projects were attempts at making games,” he says. “As I was applying to colleges, I decided that I wanted to go somewhere where I had the freedom to explore both computer science and music, which is why I decided to double major in computer science and music at Trinity.”

Although they are thought to be polar opposites, Weiss finds that music and computer science are a more common combination than most think. “I know quite a few computer science majors who are also involved in music in some capacity,” he says.

While Weiss’s music scholarship fuels his passion, he can pursue his academic interests without the stress of financial burdens. Weiss encourages other musicians considering Trinity not to pass on a chance to receive the same support that he has. “I recommend anyone potentially interested in the music scholarship here to just send in an application, even if they’re not completely sure they want to go to Trinity,” he says. “The money saved and ability to pursue your passions, alongside your studies, makes the scholarship definitely worth it.”

Interested in pursuing music at Trinity?

Learn more about how to apply for Trinity’s music scholarships. Don’t miss your chance to secure the note-worthy financial support that will help you perfect your pitch–apply by February 20.