GLASSBORO, NJ – “I compose, sing, write, play and listen to music,” says Sean Biehn. Since fourth grade, Biehn has indulged in his love for music. Upon entering high school he began writing his own music, gaining confidence and skill with each completed piece. As it came time to think about entering college, Biehn had high aspirations. He wanted to be a music teacher, ultimately becoming a film score composer.
From Edgewater Park, Biehn chose Rowan University as the place to pursue his higher education. He enrolled his freshmen year as a music education major. He also joined the outdoor track team as a javelin thrower. Biehn has always had a love for sports, and wanted to make sure that he would have enough time to balance his academics and track time. Due to Coach Bill Fritz’s flexible practice times, Biehn has been able to do just that.
“As long as you perform well and you keep up and improve at the meets, then Coach Fritz is lenient about how much time you have to be at practice. However, the music department doesn’t coincide with that at all. I could be in classes from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. one day. The practice time for track is flexible, but not for music.” It’s Fritz’s flexibility that has allowed Biehn to receive multiple accolades and awards.
Last year, Biehn took fourth place at the NCAA Division III Championships with a throw of 200’ 1” and earned All-America honors. He won the javelin at the Rowan Open and the Swarthmore Last Chance Meet with throws of 194’ 1” and 197’ 10” respectively. His best throw of the season was 204’ 6” at the New York City Qualifying Challenge. He finished first in the college division and was second overall. A Rowan scholar-athlete, Biehn was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Field Athlete of the Week twice. He was chosen to the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Association Division III All-Academic Team and received NJAC All-Academic honorable mention.
Now a senior, Biehn spends time student teaching at Pleasant Valley School in Harrison Township. His love for music is evident as he educates fourth through sixth graders in the various areas of music. He always instructs them to practice their instruments. He leads by example - Biehn himself plays his trombone at least two hours a day, in addition to rehearsal time.
Biehn has performed with the University’s Orchestra for four years. In his last semester, he also plays with Wind Ensemble and the Organ Chamber Ensemble. Since Biehn has been at Rowan, he has been a member of the Concert Band, the Contemporary Ensemble, the Brass Ensemble, the Brass Chamber Music Ensemble and the Jazz Band. In addition, he has appeared in Faculty Brass Ensemble Concerts and the Atlantic Brass Band.
At the end of January, “Sean presented an electrifying Senior Recital in Boyd Recital Hall, showcasing his many talents and accomplishments as a composer, arranger, conductor and trombone soloist,” Enger Fritz recounted. Upon witnessing his concert, she had many good things to say, claiming that it was an unforgettable performance. The event showcased his trombone skills, as well as composition – one of the pieces played had been arranged by Biehn himself. Biehn is very pleased with how his hour long recital went and sees it as an excellent display of his time spent in Rowan’s music department.
He says that Professor Tyrone Breuninger has played a large part in his success. “He is amazing. His credentials speak for themselves. But his teaching style is really different and he pushes you constantly. I like it,” Biehn says.
He encourages incoming freshmen music majors to find an extra-curricular activity that they like. For him, it was javelin. “You’re going to need something to give you a break from music,” Biehn shares. “The music department is demanding, but at the same time it is really rewarding. You’re with the same people every day and the professors are really nice. They care about how much you improve and what you do. It’s just good to have something not related to music to participate in as well.”
Biehn will continue to perform with the Rowan orchestra this semester. A schedule of performances can be found at http://www.rowan.edu/colleges/fpa/music/.
