Here's - VanderCook College of Music

Alumni
viola in kindergarten, but four years later he settled on percussion – for no particular
reason -- and began his musical journey.
That journey included concert band and orchestral percussion lessons, drum set
lessons in 6th grade, a community band at Notre Dame High School in Niles, IL,
and numerous opportunities to play in any ensemble or group that was available.
Benson’s parents encouraged and supported their only child in all of his endeavors:
sports, art, music, and Boy Scouts. “They were always there for me…like bumper
rails in bowling…there but letting me take my own path,” Benson says. They instilled
in him the importance of taking part 100% in every endeavor and pursuit, and
Benson is convinced that ethic has served him well. That includes helping him earn
his Eagle Scout distinction as a freshman in high school and navigate the rigors of
VanderCook’s comprehensive curriculum.
By the time Benson enrolled at Notre Dame High School, the same school where
he participated in community band, he was already considering a career in music.
Private lessons, summers at Birch Creek Music Camp, playing in bands and groups,
finding good friends along the way – all of it had Benson believing a career in music
was in his future. It was his third band director, a VanderCook alumnus, who encouraged
him to consider music education during his senior year at Notre Dame.
Mike Wallace (B99) recognized Benson’s passion for playing and performing. Benson
remembers Wallace asking him to think about how he wanted the rest of his life to
look. Benson soon realized a life of performance would consist of playing, touring,
teaching private lessons, and ultimately far less stability than he desired. He took
Wallace’s advice and added VanderCook to the list of Illinois colleges and universities
he was checking out. After attending Senior Day, applying and auditioning, Benson
was accepted. He also met professor Kevin Lepper, and took private percussion lessons
the summer before he arrived on campus.
While Benson admits he was disappointed his other auditions were unsuccessful and
the lure of a career in performance still nagged him, he found himself at VanderCook
in fall 2004. Although he felt as if he’d been thrown into the water, he never secondguessed
his decision or considered giving up. Looking back, Benson reflects on what
kept him going. “First of all, I made a commitment. I knew I wanted to do something
with music. I had strong relationships already with Kevin Lepper and Dr. Menghini. I
wanted to prove I could do what I was being asked by people at VanderCook. I didn’t
want to let anyone down.”
Benson soon learned the college catalog only told part of the story. Days beginning
at 7 a.m. and going well into the evening made for a tough schedule. The demands
were intense but Benson used a systematic approach, building skills at each level.
“I took advantage of everything at VanderCook…every ensemble, any opportunity to
play outside of the classroom, being in the fraternity, taking work study positions,
bonding closely with so many classmates. I had thousands of things going
on: classes, homework, practicing, friends, relationships, family. I had all
these things to do...they just had to get done.”
By spring 2008, Benson’s self-described marathon – passing the Illinois State Board
of Education’s Basic Skills, Music Content-Area, and Assessment of Professional
Teaching tests, completing techniques and methods classes, fulfilling general education
requirements, performing two recitals, and student teaching – was over at last.
He crossed the finish line with all of the practical and professional skills he needed
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