The Contemporary Music Program is a fairly new department. Since its start just last year, the department has nearly tripled in size. Because of this, the department split into three ensembles to perform their fall concerts on different days in different locations.
The first group performed Nov. 7 in the Flatt Amphitheater. They showcased a lot of talent from the freshmen new to the program. The second group’s performance took place Monday night on the steps of Collins Alumni Auditorium. The final group performed in the Collins Auditorium Thursday night. All of the students thought it went extremely well.
“It went better than we were all thinking,” sophomore Jacalyn Thompson said. “You do these things with all this adrenaline thinking about all the things you have to do, but as soon as you’re on stage, everyone comes together with the same mindset that we’re gonna make this the best show that we can.”
The nights not only showcased the talent that each group possesses, but also the sense of community they felt after doing what they love together.
“I’m just so thankful for the opportunity to come together with my best friends and play music,” Thompson said.
Sophomore Freddy Schuler agreed, saying that the final night of music brought each group together as a community and as a department.
“There was some good energy that mixed beautifully together. I think it all kind of culminated during the last song.”
The group thanked Director of Contemporary Music, Charlie Peacock, for his direction.
“We have phenomenal leaders who prepared us very well,” Thompson said. “They’re really great people to work with.”
After the final performance, the audience gave the performers a standing ovation, and many of the music students crossed Bison Square to go to Coffeehaus, a weekly, SGA-sponsored night of music in Starbucks, led by sophomore Nordista Freeze.
“That’s the thing about the music students: they’re really doing what they love,” Schuler said. “Even though they just got done doing music for school, they still choose to keep doing it for fun.”
Photos by Anna Rogers