Brittany Poeppe | Assistant Arts + Life Editor

Joshua Fortmann is a senior at Buena Vista University, and he’s involved in a number of campus activities and organizations. One of his favorite organizations is choir. He has been involved in choir for all four years of his BVU career.

“I like being in choir at BVU because it gives me a chance to continue exploring my love of music, while pursuing a major and a career which are unrelated,” Fortmann said.

Fortmann also says being in choir is a financial help because of the music scholarships that are available to students.

Being a senior, Fortmann is often tasked with being a leader in choir and in the tenor section. Because he’s been in choir for all four years, he has gained experience in both musicality and leadership. Fortmann says leadership is all about being willing to put in the extra work when you need to.

“Being a leader in choir means that you are willing to take a little extra time to make sure that the choir is as good as it can be. Whether that means listening to the songs to make sure you know your part, or taking a minute to help a section mate who is struggling with a part,” Fortmann said.

In his four years of choir, his favorite piece to date is “Lux Aurumque (Light and Gold),” a Christmas themed piece by Eric Whitacre, which was written in Latin.

Fortmann is excited to travel with the choir to Italy over Spring Break. He is most looking forward to experiencing another culture for the first time, and he is excited to showcase the BVU choir’s talent for other countries of the world on an international stage.

“ I also hear that there is windsurfing where we are going, and I am always looking for exciting and fun new ways to injure myself,” Fortmann joked.

Photos by Dianne Johnson