[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Fraser_andrea.jpg” caption=”Andrea Fraser finds music and accounting complimentary. “]Music is ever associated with graduation ceremonies. Pomp and Circumstance, known to many as simply “the graduation song,” was first played at a convocation ceremony over a century ago. For Andrea Fraser who will graduate with distinction from the DeGroote School of Business Tuesday, June 6, music was central throughout her education, as well as at her graduation.

After she follows the piper into Hamilton Place's Great Hall, Fraser will be awarded her Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree with a special addition, a minor in music. In an unusual academic blend, Fraser paired her business studies in accounting with a diploma in music performance, specializing in percussion.

“I have always had an interest in music, especially in the realm of performance. I grew up taking piano lessons, taught myself to play guitar, and in high school began playing the drums and other percussion instruments,” she explains.

While originally Fraser was planning on pursuing simply a commerce degree, at the suggestion of her Parkside High School music teacher, she investigated McMaster's diploma in music performance.

She says, “Mac was flexible in allowing me to concurrently pursue a diploma in Music Performance alongside my Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree.”

Along with her academic studies, Fraser has also played in the McMaster Concert Band and the McMaster Percussion Ensemble. While taking both music and commerce courses made for a very varied academic experience, Fraser says that her musical career has also helped her excel in business. “Performing as a musician in front of large audiences has helped me develop my presentation skills for business. Playing in musical ensembles ranging from two to 100 musicians has helped me develop teamwork skills.”

Skills that will help her when she starts her “dream job” in September as a staff accountant at the Hamilton/Halton office of Deloitte, which offers assurance, financial advisory, consulting, tax, and enterprise risk services to clients.

“Since high school I have wanted to be a chartered accountant. In fact, when looking for a university to attend, a critical factor was that it must offer all courses needed to meet the 51 credit-hour requirement in the CA education program. Naturally, DeGroote offers all of the courses I need to obtain my chartered accountant designation!” she says. “The accounting program at DeGroote has exceeded all of my expectations in terms of quality of learning, and especially quality of professors. I have found the accounting professors at DeGroote to be invaluable sources of knowledge, advice, and inspiration.”

While her graduation will be the grand finale of Fraser's undergraduate degree, in a way it will be an encore. To earn her diploma in music performance, she recently gave a solo percussion recital. “[It was] a great end to my four years in the program,” she says.

But for Fraser, the music will play on. She plays drums in a progressive rock band called “The Infinite Machine” and has several upcoming performances scheduled.

Reflecting on her years at DeGroote, Fraser has some words of wisdom for those just starting out. “Take advantage of every learning opportunity you can. Join clubs, attend functions, and get to know as many of your peers and professors as you can. You'll be surprised at how much you can learn at DeGroote about business, the world, life, and yourself!”

And the most important thing she learned? “Work hard, but always leave time to play hard!”