By Izzy Hamilton, Cayman Werner and Brayden Kenworthy

BLOOMINGTON, Ind (Apr. 3, 2025)

Powerful and resonant tones soared through the air as Daniel plucked the tough strings of the cello. Deep and soulful melodies transport the audience into a warm and peaceful place, allowing the music to create a deep sense of satisfaction.

The Jacobs School of Music at IU is a highly competitive musical program that only accepts 25% of applicants annually. The hours of dedication to practice and juggling school work can be demanding for students at Jacobs. Daniel Gruber, a current sophomore at Jacobs with a cello performance major, has been interested in music since a young age. Growing up, his mom played violin professionally, which allowed him to grow a deep-rooted appreciation and love for the musical arts. 

“One day, I was like Mom, what is that? And she said, ‘It’s the cello,’” said Gruber. From then on, he was hooked and said that even when the cello was too big for him to play, he still wanted to hold it and begin learning as soon as possible.

In addition to being exposed to music so early in life, Gruber often got the opportunity to attend professional orchestra concerts. He mentioned how in high school, he remembers “just sitting there and enjoying the sound.” He even compared it to a “mini vacation.” Gruber discussed how his goal is to provide that experience for other people, which is what initially made him want to pursue music full-time.

Gruber was introduced to Jacobs by attending a pre-college program, and while there, a professor suggested that he attend the school. Gruber mentioned that the first semester of college went pretty smoothly, but his schedule quickly amped up as he was juggling a number of difficult classes, joined a quartet, and was feeling a lot of pressure from his professors.

“It’s definitely difficult, and definitely a lot of work, but always rewarding,” said Gruber. 

When asked how much time he devotes to the cello a week, he said, “A week?! Can I just give you a day, and you can go from there?” He then walked us through a typical day in his life, where he stated he has classes in the morning, rehearsals in the afternoon, and then practices on his own in the evening. He concluded that he most likely spends around six to eight hours a day dedicated to playing the cello.

A vital part of Gruber’s life is his faith. Growing up, he was always a part of the youth group at church, served on a worship team, as well as served on the adult and youth music teams. He got involved with the Christian Student Fellowship through his friend Abby, who did her undergrad at IU. When she heard that he was coming here, she reached out to him and suggested he join the CSF community. He mentioned that IU can be very dark and lonesome at times, so at the end of the day, it’s nice to be able to come home and have faith-based conversations with genuine friends that are going to influence him positively.

In Gruber’s words, “CSF is a house where around 50-60 residents live and a place where you have the opportunity to live in a Christ-centered community that provides fellowship, services such as small groups and encounter on Thursdays, and a very intentional community.”

Balance as a college student can be extremely difficult, even without the extra challenges of being a competitive music major. When Gruber was asked about how he is able to balance all of the most important aspects of his life, he said, “I try to keep school at school.”

It is important to Gruber that when he comes back to CSF at the end of the day, he can dedicate his time to community and fellowship. In addition, he makes sure to attend the worship services on Thursdays as well as church on Sundays. 

Gruber talked about how when the cello is time-consuming, he tries to keep the mindset that “it is [his] worship.” He likes to view the cello as a way that he is working for the Lord instead of his professor. He mentions that this can be extremely difficult at times, but he tries to stick to it.

Ben Geiger, CSF’s lead campus minister, said that Gruber is very active, cares about the CSF community, and is friends with pretty much everyone in the house. “He’s very involved in small groups, as well as very passionate about helping serve on campus, as well as at the CSF house,” said Geiger.

He then told a story about a time when Gruber and a group of his friends asked if a special exception could be made within the CSF house so that more people could live there. “Legally, we can room up to four people a room, but typically the only leases we offer are for two to three people to a room,” said Geiger. This situation is an example of how Gruber puts others before himself and makes faith the center of his life. “It just shows a little bit of his heart,” said Geiger.

Daniel displays grit and determination to balance a rigorous school schedule, intense cello expectations, as well as social and faithful fulfillment. By keeping faith the center of his life and dedicating his time to what matters most, he is able to maneuver his laboring college life with a smile each day. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8Jo4orhUd4

Daniel Gruber, a cello performance major in the Jacobs School of Music, balances his life of music and faith through excelling in academics and the Christian Student Fellowship at IU. He finds fulfillment in both worlds, despite their differences.