PSY & Music Spotlight: Taylor Robison

January 31, 2025 - Shelly DeJong

 

Meet Taylor Robison, a third-year psychology major with a minor in Law, Justice, and Public Policy, who plays trumpet for the MSU Concert Orchestra. Recently, Taylor shared with us about her experience as a student musician and a psychology student, how she balances it all, what some of her favorite memories at MSU are, and more!   

  

How did you end up majoring in Psychology with a minor in Law, Justice, and Public Policy? 

My journey really began during my senior year when I was trying to figure out what I wanted to study in college. I took AP Psychology in high school, and since I've always had an analytical mindset, that class reinforced my enjoyment of the subject. I realized that psychology was a significant interest of mine. 

I've also been fascinated by forensic science and true crime, and I have always wanted to combine psychology with forensic science. Choosing a minor in Law, Justice, and Public Policy felt like a natural path for me, especially since forensic psychology merges both psychology and law. I believe this combination will prepare me well for graduate school, where I aim to study forensic psychology. 

Ultimately, I envision myself working in the government sector, possibly with the FBI, where I could apply what I've learned from my degree.  

 

Can you talk about your experience as a student musician in the Concert Orchestra? 

I really love being a student musician. I took a break between high school and college without playing any music at all, and during that time, I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue with music. However, it felt like such an important part of my life that I couldn't imagine what I would do without it. By the time my sophomore year came around, I decided to check out audition dates and thought I would give it a try. I initially auditioned for the Spartan Marching Band and made the reserve list, which was great. Ultimately, I didn’t get in, but that experience was a turning point for me, as it made me realize that I really wanted to continue with music, especially in college.  

I then found audition dates for the Concert Orchestra, auditioned, and got in. It's been an amazing experience ever since! I’ve played some really cool music and bonded with the people in my section. Overall, it's been an awesome experience. This year, I even did my first brass quintet with a chamber ensemble, which was another cool experience. Playing in a smaller group allows for more intimate collaboration and more opportunities to play music, which I appreciate.  

The best part is that you don’t have to be a music major to participate, which makes it accessible for everyone. 

 

As a psychology major, do you find that music and psychology work well together?  

Psychology and music complement each other incredibly well. Music is a form of expression that doesn’t always rely on words, and I find that one of the most fascinating aspects of music. You don’t need to articulate anything to convey feelings or a particular message. It’s amazing how our brains can interpret sounds in this way. Regardless of how my day has gone—whether it’s been good or bad—I always knew that going into rehearsal would allow me to express myself and create something really awesome. 

I find that being involved in music is manageable as a psychology student. With the Concert Orchestra, we have one rehearsal a week that lasts about two and a half to three hours. I appreciate having just one rehearsal each week. Sometimes I even wish we had more because I love playing music. Overall, it’s manageable to balance it with my schoolwork and learning the repertoire. 

  

Have you had any favorite classes? 

One of my favorite psychology classes was developmental psychology, specifically focusing on adolescence through young adulthood. This subject was incredibly interesting because adolescence is such a significant period in a person's life with so much change happening. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about it. My professor for this class, Dr. Kandy Patrick, was also fantastic. The combination of the subject matter and her teaching made the class even more enjoyable. I genuinely looked forward to attending her lectures every day because she is so awesome.  

 

Do you have any advice for people wondering if they can manage being a student musician at MSU? 

I found it very helpful to plan and create an agenda for myself. That’s always been super helpful for me to be able to cross off things that I know I needed to get done. Being able to visually see my progress by checking things off is very motivating.  

I’ve found that doing something outside of academics is important. Being in a music group not only helps you meet new friends but also allows you to immerse yourself in a different community that you may not meet through your academics. In my opinion, participating in something outside of academics is definitely worth it. 

 

Any favorite MSU memories?  

I took part in a study abroad program in Belize that focused on contemporary issues in developing societies. It was an incredibly enjoyable and rewarding experience. I appreciated the opportunity to reflect on my life in the United States. The trip served as a valuable reminder of the things we often take for granted. I also found the experience to be almost spiritual. One of the highlights was visiting a Mayan temple. Climbing to the top of the temple and taking in the view of the surrounding landscape was both breathtaking and intimate. 

Another memorable moment for me was the last concert we had with the Concert Orchestra. Our theme was "Operatic Favorites," and we played some fantastic pieces that you might be familiar with. I don’t always recognize every piece just by hearing it, so it was exciting to perform some music I knew, which made the experience even more enjoyable. Additionally, last spring, we premiered a piece by Katahj Copley called "Khromorphia." That was a cool piece to play too.