Vic Tianlan Wen ‘26 is a psychology major, and linguistics and music minor from Shenzen, China. When applying to colleges, Wen knew they wanted to do research, but wasn’t sure on what. Swarthmore’s liberal arts curriculum paired with the College’s policy of allowing students to remain undeclared through their sophomore year gave Wen the opportunity to explore. Over time, they fell in love with cognitive psychology, specifically how language works and affects thinking. Within Swarthmore’s Music Department, Wen also found a new way to approach the flute; an instrument that they have been playing since first grade.

“What making music at Swarthmore taught me is that it should be more collaborative, rather than competitive,” Wen said. “My parents were very into me doing competitions when I was in elementary school, and that really caused me to burn out and play less in middle school and high school. Here, everyone is jamming together and helping each other out and I was given opportunities that I otherwise wouldn't have. It really changed my mindset on things, and it just made me a less bitter and happier person.”

At Swarthmore, Wen has played in Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, a flute trio and quartet as part of the Fetter Chamber Music Program, and Jazz Ensemble. They have also grown as a composer through music theory and composition courses. In their upcoming senior recital on February 22, Wen will perform their own compositions, and ones commissioned from friends and fellow Swarthmore Music students T Sallie ‘25 and Spencer Klaw Kennedy ‘27. The participation of friends in the recital reflects what Wen described as a warm and supportive environment. Rather than practice solo into “the ether,” Wen has grown to enjoy performing with others and workshopping original compositions.

“I didn't really used to compose very seriously before I came here,” Wen said. “I started when I was applying to colleges and needed a way to de-stress. My flute quartet friends encouraged me to write stuff for them to play.”

Wen has Aphantasia, an inability to voluntarily picture mental images or sounds. Although this can make composing more challenging, they have found ways to adapt.

“The most I'll be able to hear in my brain of the concepts I'm storming up would just be a very under specified line of melody, and I have to puzzle out the chords and stuff in a composing software,” Wen said. “After that, I [figure] out the texture, what sort of sound effects I want to be creating, and then group these bits and pieces together.”

When not composing, Wen enjoys playing the flute, specifically pieces from the Romantic Era.

“There was rising popularity, and people started writing more for the flute. That's where the more exciting work came about. In the 20th century, people started writing in all these extended techniques that I barely know how to do. It's a more interesting and exciting body of work.”

Wen has grown as a flutist at Swarthmore, practicing a difficult technique called double tonguing, and now can play an expanded repertoire. This growth in skill is true across Wen’s experience at Swarthmore, such as music theory which was "surprisingly not intimidating” thanks to Professor Jon Kochavi. After Swarthmore, Wen will complete an OPT before applying to PhD programs in cognitive psychology or psycholinguistics. No matter the field of study, they plan to continue playing and composing into the foreseeable future.

“I can't really imagine not playing [flute],” Wen said. “I've been playing for longer than I haven't been.”

Wen’s senior recital will take place on Sunday, February 22, at 7:30 pm in Lang Concert Hall. It is free and open to the public.

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Favorite music course at Swarthmore: Composition

Favorite music making experience: My flute quartet, the one where everyone else has graduated.

What you'll miss most about Swarthmore: Being a student with relatively less adult responsibilities. That's what I'll miss a lot.

Sound or noise you love: The tone of a countertenor. That's my favorite voice type.

Sound or noise you hate: Fire alarms in my dorm

Last song you played on your phone: Reinecke Flute Concerto in D major Op. 283 first movement. I was listening to it to prepare for the [concerto] competition.