The Public Humanities Exchange for Undergraduates (HEX-U) funds UW-Madison undergraduate students who have humanities-inspired ideas for projects that address current Madison community needs. HEX-U provides training in community partnership, mentoring during project design and implementation, and funding.

We’d like to share the story of a recent and inspiring HEX-U project. Please meet Magnolia Trio!

Coming together to form a woodwind trio in the Fall 2020 semester called the Magnolia Trio, Lucas Glander, Hanna Noughani, and Amanda Stezenski recognized the importance of collaboration even during a global pandemic. During that time, the trio worked extensively on recording pieces individually and editing them together to create engaging online performances, despite never having met in person.

Interested in promoting chamber ensembles, the trio asked asked Professor Hong-Da Chin of Western Illinois University (WIU) to compose for them the woodwind trio “When Stolen Time Becomes Fixed Time.” Professor Chin’s compositions have been performed internationally and incorporate Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures.

After creating a cinematic recording of this piece in the Hamel Music Center, the trio performed and presented about chamber music to Madison-area students. Wisconsin middle and high school band students were unable to participate in ensembles during the global pandemic. Although nothing can make up for the lost time, highlighting the joys of chamber music inspires students to continue to participate in musical ensembles. Young local musicians remain an integral part of the Magnolia Trio’s efforts, as they represent the next generation of college students and professionals.

The Center for the Humanities (CFH): What does it mean to be engaged in the public humanities?

Magnolia Trio: Engaging in the public humanities for us meant moving our focus outside of our college community and into the greater Madison area. In our own lives, we saw how many students stopped playing their instrument in college because it became inaccessible and time-consuming. By introducing younger students in our community to college-level music-making, we were able to promote the humanities.

CFH: Describe an exciting moment from your project.

Magnolia Trio: Collaborating with Professor Hong-Da Chin throughout the school year was an incredible honor and really exciting. Upon receiving the piece, Professor Chin gave us insight into a new style of music that we had not played before; Gamelan. We diligently worked to showcase the beauty of this Indonesian style in an ensemble originating in Western instrumentation. We also really enjoyed recording our piece with musician Kris Saebo. The process was quite long, but the entire time it felt like the culmination of our entire project from that year.

CFH: What advice would you give to future HEX-U scholars?

Magnolia Trio: Our advice would be to make a detailed schedule at the beginning of the year, and adjust as you go, rather than crafting a schedule as you go. By scheduling early, you secure a chunk of your community partner’s time.

Lucas Glander is a junior at UW-Madison studying flute performance under Associate Professor Conor Nelson. Originally from Rockville, Maryland, Glander has taken advantage of multiple chamber music competitions throughout his middle and high school career. On top of music tutoring and private lessons in his freshman year, Glander was enthusiastic to become a co-founder of the Magnolia Trio that same year. He hopes to continue reaching out to the young musicians of Madison, and aspires to become an orchestra musician in his coming career.

Hanna Noughani is a senior at UW-Madison studying oboe performance with Assistant Professor Lindsay Flowers and neurobiology. In the future, she plans on pursuing a career in medicine. Noughani has participated in chamber groups throughout middle and high school and became a co-founder of the Magnolia Trio in the fall of her sophomore year.

Amanda Stezenski is currently in her fourth year at UW-Madison studying clarinet performance with Assistant Professor Alicia Lee and is pursuing a certificate in business. Stezenski grew up in the Fox Valley of Wisconsin where she was fortunate to have a multitude of musical opportunities. At five years old, she asked for piano lessons and her curiosity of music has never ceased. Presently, she is a passionate co-founder of the Magnolia Trio, which presents opportunities to collaborate with growing musicians and teach young students. Stezenski aspires to become a pit orchestra musician after her studies.

The Public Humanities Exchange for Undergraduates (HEX-U) is a high-impact program for undergraduate students that funds humanities-based projects that support a need in the Madison community beyond the university. The program provides training in community partnership, support for project development and implementation, and funding. Participating students receive a $600 stipend award and up to $2,000 in project funding.

Students are encouraged to propose new, innovative ideas for engagement with the local community through a project. Projects may be focused on (but are not limited to):

HEX-U is now accepting applications for the 2022-23 school year! Applications for the Fall 2022 cohort are due Monday, November 17, 2022.

Have questions? Learn more about the application process here. Another good place to start is to schedule a meeting with Public Humanities Program Coordinator Danielle Weindling (weindling@wisc.edu) to talk about your project ideas.

See project highlights from recent HEX-U and HEX scholars in our 2021-22 Year in Review.