Chase Portner
Chase Portner
Class Year
’27
Hometown
Moline, Illinois
Major(s)
Music Education
Minor(s)
Musical Theatre
For music education major Chase Portner ’27, theatre and music have always been part of his life. In high school, he built an impressive music portfolio by singing in several choirs, earning recognition as a two-time Illinois Honors All-State Chorus Tenor, and serving as a teaching assistant for the Freshmen Treble Choir. His theatre accomplishments include taking on lead roles in multiple productions, being an assistant director and musical director, and founding his own theatre company.
At Carthage, Chase continues to perform in various music ensembles and appears with the Lakeside Players at the Rhode Center for the Arts. Chase’s goal after college is to teach collegiate choir like his role model, Professor Maggie Burk, while continuing to grow his career in choir, theatre, and his theatre company. “One of my mentors told me that if you want to teach music, you should teach music. It will be hard at many points, but in the end, it’ll all be so rewarding.”
Why Carthage?
“When I began searching for schools, I had five strict criteria for my future college to meet: an established music program, distinguished and passionate faculty, smaller class sizes and a more personal learning environment, a strong and tight-knit community, and affordability. While most schools I auditioned for checked most of these boxes, Carthage was able to check every single one. I toured campus and fell in love with the place.”
Favorite class
“I’m a huge fan of Carthage Choir. I’ve had the pleasure of learning and performing music with some of the best singers I’ve ever met and with the phenomenal Prof. Burk. I love the sense of community and trust the entire choir has with each other. I could have the worst day ever; however, the people in the choir or the sounds of the lush, shimmery chords always washes away my troubles. I’m challenged in a new way every single time I walk into a rehearsal, and I love it. It’s absolutely incredible to sing in an ensemble with such outstanding performers and with such an outstanding director.”
Campus involvement
“Despite my major and minor keeping me very busy, I’m still able to participate in plenty of extracurriculars including: the Carthage Choir, the Lincoln Chamber Singers, Carthage Theatre, Lambda Kappa, Alpha Psi Omega, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, and Rock Climbing Club.”
Unique opportunities
“I’ve had some fantastic travel opportunities in my time at Carthage so far. I’ve had the opportunity to travel with the Wind Orchestra to Japan and toured the country. I’ve also traveled to Minnesota and the United Kingdom with the Carthage Choir. I had the honor of composing music for Carthage’s New Play Initiative, and the play is going to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, the largest theatre festival in the world! I feel like I would either never have gotten opportunities like these or I would’ve had a much harder time getting these opportunities if I weren’t at Carthage.”
Career goal
“After college, I want to teach high school choir and theatre. My ultimate goal is to get two master’s degrees in music education and vocal pedagogy and a doctorate in choral conducting. This would allow me to teach collegiate choir. I also want to continue performing in both choir and theatre, while still running my own theatre company.”
Best tip for making friends
“Go out and do things! My biggest regret from my first year was isolating myself in my room. Go out, get involved, and talk to people!”
Advice for other students in your major?
“It’ll be very tempting to say yes to a lot of exciting opportunities, but don’t be afraid to say no to things. You have a whole life to live. Don’t overbook yourself.”