The Show Continues To Go On For This Multifaceted Ninth-Semester Senior And Human.
As a Physics and Philosophy double major, the fundamentals of our human world are always on the forefront for Weckwerth. The two really do work hand-in-hand, he says. Physics asks you to think critically about the physical world. Philosophy asks you to do the same for the abstract world. The ‘practical’ meets the ‘theoretical.’
That’s a lot to pack into eight semesters, including three under COVID-19 restrictions. So Weckwerth is a ninth-semester senior, tuition free, thanks to an offer made to Gustavus students who struggled during the pandemic to get lab time, athletic play, and
ensemble touring opportunities, as Weckwerth did.
Speaking of touring, Weckwerth also immerses himself in another intricate universe: music. He sings with the Gustavus Choir (and toured Spain, France, and Italy with the choir last J-term). And he took private classical and jazz piano lessons. “Music is very central to my life. Always has been and always will be,” he says.
That includes the indie rock band Let’s Be Kids, which he founded with high school friends as a classic rock cover band in his hometown of Stillwater. Their basement hobby quickly became gigs, and when they began writing and performing their own songs, Let’s Be Kids was born. The bandmates released three singles and played rock clubs across the Twin Cities, backyards across the country, and the field across from College View before moving on to other projects.
Today, In addition to wrapping up his final semester, Weckwerth is writing Americana music and learning to play the harmonica. The ability to pursue music alongside other pursuits is why he chose Gustavus in the first place. “It’s a place where I’ve taken my music very seriously and have continued to grow,” he says.
“Music enchants the world; showing us the poetry of humanity. We need songs to listen to and people to make them—to be inspired, relate, and experience. If we lose sight of that, life can get dreary. We need to play.” Like when Weckwerth played and sang for his grandmother when she was sick. She was hardly engaging with the rest of the world, but during his
performance she clapped her hands, smiling.
“There is just a human element to music.”
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