Gage Mizar (he/they) is a nearly-graduated student in the School of Music here at OSU. During his time at OSU, he has worked with various instrumental and vocal ensembles, both as a playing/singing member and as a conductor.
Growing up in Seaside, Oregon gave Gage extensive knowledge of rural culture in the US; how the residents think, who they associate with, their likes, dislikes, passions, goals, and dreams. This time in Seaside made him realize that while the grass is greener in other pastures, it’s unfair to the people who cannot leave to not try to bring that green back to those who cannot make it out.
Throughout the years, his focus began to shift more towards music composition and production instead of on education and performance. This has resulted in him creating many fun and interesting pieces, layered with complex themes and storytelling.
The most fond moment Gage has while at OSU is from November of 2022, when the OSU football team came back from a massive first half deficit to defeat their rival, the Oregon Ducks, to seal their 9th regular season win. For him, this moment highlights what makes both sports and music the greatest forms of media humanity has. It’s sense of community that sports and music foster that keeps Gage going towards a dream of becoming a professional musician. He wants to create a community for people from all backgrounds to join, and to show that music can inform and persuade through empathy to look at their fellow man with a sense of compassion.
In the future, Gage is looking to launch a passion project, a virtual band that will explore the complex topics of mental health, social injustice, love, friendships, family, and more. Although, he is finding that the work it takes to make it in the music industry is not only difficult, but requires getting to know others who are experiencing the same trials in life.
