Singing a new song

Third-year dental student Emily Vu said dental school can give you tunnel vision.   All the work, classes and tests can become overwhelming. She said hobbies are often dropped, and it’s easy to forget there’s more to life than school. That is why she helped found the TAMSOD Music Society.

“As I got to know my classmates, I realized a good amount of them used to play instruments back in high school,” Vu said. “I was fortunate enough to minor in piano in college, which kept me active, but the majority of people lose opportunities to play as they reach higher levels of education. I wanted to create a safe space where people could play again, no matter how rusty they were.”

She formed the idea around January, in her D2 year, she said, and quickly recruited her best friend and some other students. After taking the required classes from the university on how to organize and properly run a club, and recruiting and adviser, the Music Society was officially formed in August 2023.

Vu grew up in a musical family and began taking piano lessons around age 7. She started playing the violin in fifth grade and played in orchestras all through high school. In college, she didn’t have a lot of time to play, but she did occasionally sit down at the keyboard. What she missed most, however, was playing with others.

“I really enjoyed ensemble work and playing in groups,” she said. “That collaborative work … I really missed that. After college or high school, some people just don’t have groups to play with anymore. Playing by yourself is good, of course, but nothing really beats the experience of performing in a group, your peers making music with you.”

Vu said the idea for the club came after a rough patch in her life. Near the end of her D1 year, she was struck by a car. Recovering from the accident while managing her busy schedule as a student put a strain on her mental health. Music helped relieve the stress and enabled her to reconnect with herself. In the process, she realized a club for other music lovers could provide an outlet for them, as well.

“I felt like I was losing my identity because of all the things I had to do,” she said. “I think people in dental school tend to forget that they’re not just a dentist, or just a professor. There are other things that make up your identity. So this club is meant to encourage people to play again, even if it’s just a reminder that you do have that talent. The whole point is promoting creativity, mental dexterity and positive mental health. That’s our whole purpose as a club.”

In just six months, the Music Society has exploded in popularity. The club has about 60 members with the majority of them being students, but it’s open to anyone on campus. Members do not even have to be musicians. All that is required is a love and appreciation for music. They have held multiple recitals this school year and have revived the dental school’s annual talent show with the help of other school organizations.

“It’s our first year, so we’re still trying to figure out our niche in the school,” Vu said. “We’ve been pretty music-heavy so far with our recitals, but we’re planning more inclusive events like karaoke nights or music-related lectures. We want to incorporate things that everyone in the school can enjoy.”

To join the Music Society, visit the link in the bio of the group’s Instagram page. Vu, who also founded the school’s pre-endodontic society encouraged students to create their own clubs. She said it’s been a rewarding experience to help students, faculty and staff connect. She also wanted to give a thank you to Stanley Richardson, the Music Society’s adviser. He shares a love for music and is a valued member of the team when it comes to planning and participating in events.

“The Music Society has been an amazing experience because student musicians have been able to connect and play with other students they have never met before, and the music we make together is priceless,” she said.