Griffin Sargent, from Riverhead, N.Y., made a grand entrance when playing violin with the University Orchestra one October. During the Spooky Sounds Children’s Concert, Sargent – dressed as a ghoul -- was wheeled out in a closed coffin during the final song.
“They lifted the lid and I stood up all rigid and zombie-ish, and started my solo,” he said. “That was probably the funnest concert I ever did.”
Sargent is no stranger to the stage. He played violin on campus for four years, won the Concerto and Aria Competition in 2007 for the instrument and was the Music Department’s recipient of the Janet Brady Memorial Scholarship as a student.
A versatile musician,Sargent plays bass, guitar and drum and formed a seven-piece rock band called Mr. Uncle’s Mustache that incorporated the violin and cello.
Janey Choi, a violin instructor in the Music Department, said Sargent emerged as a leader in the department.
“Over his four years here, he progressed impressively, not only technically, but musically,” Choi said. “His strong presence and commitment was felt in every performing group with which he worked, but I think above all, it is his warm personality and sense of humor that made him such a great addition to our program.
Sargent, who was a double major in physics and mathematics, spent mornings in class, afternoons as a tutor in the College-in-the-Woods Discovery Center and evenings working on music.
He hopes to use his math skills as an actuary, but says music will always be part of his life.
“I’m happy with my progress on the violin through the Music Department,” he said. “I think I’ve gotten 10 times better than when I came in. The department really helped to nurture my talents.”
