Fanfare Faith - Alumni Voice - Fall 2024

Earning first trumpet player echoes with responsibility in the music world — everyone else in the section faithfully follows for cohesion and clarity. Through The Salvation Army, Alexis Dill, SMTD ’22, weaves the principles of this lucrative role into her career as a music director, where she leads with her music to amplify the sounds of others.

“It’s about rising to the occasion,” she says. “When you're the first player and you play with confidence, everyone else will feel at ease. The whole band will sound better.”

Throughout her childhood, Dill witnessed the worship music of her hometown church swelling past the pews, resonating throughout the greater Toronto community, and she allowed the music to move her as well. The church supported both a junior and senior choir and brass band, giving praise opportunities for all ages. Dill and her sister joined early, which inspired them both to pursue music later. “We climbed the musical ladder of those groups, but even before that, we were always in the service,” she says. “Even when we were babies, we heard the music around us.”

While Dill’s sisterly relationship spurred her first musical bond, many other people struck a chord with her too. “An older man used to sit beside me in [church] band, and he always encouraged me,” she says. “He taught me that we’re all human so we shouldn’t be too hard on ourselves.” After his passing, his instruments were left to Dill, continuing their music and mentor relationship.

Eventually, a music teacher at her church noticed Dill’s talent and tenacity and offered her free lessons. “It all happened organically,” Dill says.“I was having fun, and I wanted to invest the time to improve. Taking lessons really expanded my view."

“Sometimes people are mentoring you, and they don't even realize it,” she adds.

Diligent lessons and practice coupled with supportive surroundings primed Dill as a musician and to become a mentor as well. Finding harmony between “being assertive and confident, but also kind and cooperative” is key in both, she says.

Once Dill decided to take her musical aptitude another step, mentors throughout her graduate studies helped her flourish further. At Oakland University, trumpeter and Assistant Professor Jennifer Fox Oliverio, DMA, reached beyond classroom instruction and invited Dill to play
with her in an all-female brass band. “I was surrounded by esteemed professionals who offered themselves as resources,” Dill says.

While at OU, Dill performed in the Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Latin Jazz Ensemble, Steel Band and Brass Band, and she assisted with the Youth Brass Band. Because of her full-ride graduate assistantship, Dill also led the Golden Grizzlies Athletic Band and the
Oakland University Trumpet Ensemble.

Simultaneously, Dill weaved her religious roots into her college career by maintaining a connection with The Salvation Army, working on and off and a collaborative opportunity emerged. “I reconnected with someone from a music camp, and they told me about the divisional director position in Pittsburgh,” Dill says. “That was just really cool to me because it meant I could merge music and faith once again.”

As a divisional music director with The Salvation Army, Dill echoes the music and character of all the mentors who guided her. Through Salvation Army camps, she encourages that initial musical hum in young students. “I see potential in so many,” she says. “It’s a powerful experience.”

Her division also leads regular performances and events, where she connects with other creatives to share her faith. There’s a musical program every week, and every month churches collaborate across the region to merge into vibrant larger ensembles, including dancers, actors,
singers and musicians.

“All these good things have come from God,” she says. “He gives me this joy in what I do.”

Alumni Voices|

Fanfare of Faith

Surrounded with support, music major Alexis Dill shares her skills

“An older man used to sit beside me in [church] band, and he always encouraged me. He taught me that we’re all human so we shouldn’t be too hard on ourselves ... Sometimes people are mentoring you, and they don't even realize it.”

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