By Regina Rossello

When Tess Wolossow decided to apply to technological universities, she thought it meant giving up her passion for music. As someone who had been involved in music since she was 6 years old, she could not imagine giving up this major part of her life. However, she realized that she didn’t have to when she found a closeknit community of musicians at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).

As a sophomore pursuing a computer science degree, Wolossow joined the Orchestra and performed in her first holiday concert, an annual tradition at RPI. Playing Arturo Márquez’s Danzón No. 2 during that concert, she knew she had found her tribe. “I was stunned at the passion my fellow students have for making music together,” she said. “It was after this concert that I decided to take all the music classes I could fit into my schedule and I have not looked back.”

It was no surprise when she decided to add music as a dual major. “It was a no-brainer,” Wolossow said. “As I began taking music classes, I recognized the scope of where music, sound, and acoustic engineering can be applied.” During her time at RPI thus far, she’s discovered applications of music she had not considered before — from studying music in games to learning how electronic music is created.

Now a senior, Wolossow is a member of the Orchestra, Concert Choir, and Wind Symphony and will once again participate in RPI’s special holiday tradition. She will both sing and play trumpet in the holiday concert, taking place this Sunday, December 10, at 3 p.m. in the Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center. “I am looking forward to another concert filled with outstanding musicianship and a good dose of creative holiday cheer,” she said.

As her final semester at RPI approaches, Wolossow is currently planning a recital for the spring semester as her senior capstone in music. Upon her graduation in May, she intends to begin her career. “I will continue playing music regardless of where I end up professionally,” she said. “If I am fortunate to meld both computer science and music, that would be amazing, and I will be looking for opportunities to make that happen.”

If you’re interested in attending this year’s holiday concert, register now.