Eleven Prime

Eleven Prime String Quartet:
Bethany Cok, violin (concertmaster, Calvin Orchestra)
Andrew Banning, violin
Angela Dieleman, viola (principal, Calvin Orchestra)
Joshua Ruiter, cello (assistant principal, Calvin Orchestra)

When do you plan to graduate and with what degree? Most importantly, what do you want to be when you grow up?

Angela: I plan to graduate this May with a degree in Music Education. I want to be someone who teaches music not just because it makes me feel good, but because my students grow through what they learn in class.

Bethany: I plan to graduate this May with a major in English (Writing), and minors in Spanish and French. I want to be a truth-teller in my writing and in my life. I hope to be compassionate, to laugh easily and fail boldly, and to never stop asking questions.

Joshua: I plan to graduate in May with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Mandarin Chinese. When I grow up I want to do research in pure mathematics, perhaps in a professorial position at a university.

Andrew: I plan to graduate May with a degree in Music Theory and Composition. When I grow up, I want to be a good composer, a good musician, a good listener, and a good man.

Describe your experience at Calvin in three words.

Angela: Questions, Connections, Inspirations
Bethany: Living with heart.
Joshua: Learning from homework.
Andrew: Failing, Listening, Learning.

What led you to Calvin University and the study of music?

Angela: At the risk of sounding contrived, here's what happened: I remember rehearsing with my orchestra in 8th grade and realizing that I did not enjoy anything so much as I enjoyed music. From that point on, it only made sense to head toward a career where music could be part of my everyday life. I decided to come to Calvin because I was drawn to the sincerity of the music professors I met. Even something simple like exploring campus for the first time helped me confirm that I wanted Calvin to be my home for the next four years. 

What do you enjoy most about being a music major? 

Andrew: The thing I enjoy the most about being a music major is the discipline of composing. I love playing with Eleven Prime String Quartet, and I love composing for the medium of string quartet. I am not a prolific composer—I have been working on three string quartet movements for the last three years—but I have worked on a variety of other projects along the way. Among them are programmatic chamber music and short film scores written for students in Calvin's upper level video-production classes. Currently I am greatly anticipating the completion of my String Quartet's Mvt. II (composed "out of order" as the last of three), which will likely appear with movements I and III in the spring semester's New Music Concert in the Recital Hall.

Angela: The best part about being a music major is being surrounded by people who understand me. Going to class means I get to listen to a symphony, talk about a composer, or learn a new instrument with people who share my enthusiasm. These people, the community of CFAC-dwellers, are a strong source of support and encouragement through the journey of college life. 

How long has Eleven Prime been together and what do you enjoy most about playing together?

Bethany: Playing with Eleven Prime for the past three and a half years has brought me so much joy. Whether we're rehearsing Shostakovich note by note to solidify intonation, drafting a tweet for our quartet Twitter account, or switching instruments to play "Call Me Maybe", I am always laughing and learning from these fellow musicians and friends.

Angela: When I met Bethany, Josh, and Andrew at that 2012 String Summit, it didn't take long for me to hope our quartet would stay together and that we could be friends too. I can happily say both wishes came true, and this is why I like to play with Eleven Prime. Seeing each other grow through every semester, plus quartet-bonding-time outside of rehearsal, gives more meaning to our music-making.

Andrew: The thing I enjoy most about our time together is the way we can depend on each other in different ways. We each have unique performance styles, musical sensibilities, and personalities, and each rehearsal is a time when we all contribute different perspectives to help each other imagine possibilities for the music.

What’s one thing you have learned through working as an ensemble? 

Andrew: I have been blessed to be a part of Eleven Prime; the level of enthusiasm and talent that Josh, Bethany, and Angela bring to rehearsal always excites me and I am constantly reminded how powerful a small ensemble can be. I have participated in Calvin's Orchestra and Jazz Band, but I prefer the intimate, communicative experience of the Eleven Prime String Quartet.

Joshua: Through working with Eleven Prime, I've learned how to take advantage of the interplay between friendships and playing with those friends, getting to know people better through playing music together and using relationships to enhance music played together.

Bethany: Being part of Eleven Prime has taught me that listening is an essential and wonderful part of music and friendships. I've learned to listen to other musical lines and other opinions and to let those shape the way I play. And I've learned to love music best not as a solo endeavor, but in community with friends.