By SARAH CLARK
Staff Writer
The sound of music fills the room as the lights reflect off of instruments, and the bands entertain audience members as they clap to the beat. On Jack’s Stage, Music Industry students share their passion for the art with their peers, family, and faculty members.
On Tuesday, April 16, the students performed popular pieces from different genres such as country, new wave, and Motown, and one ensemble performed songs from the band Queen. Studio G3 was full of attendees—some even sitting in the lobby of Hearst because the room was so full.
“I was overjoyed at the interest in forming and old-time and early country ensemble this year,” said Dr. Emily Pinkerton, who lead the Old Time Country ensemble. Pinkerton’s love for country music was shared with her students, and she was pleased to see how quick they learned the pieces. Students created their own versions of songs from Joe and Odell Thompson, Elizabeth Cotten, Tommy Jarrell, The Carter Family, The Monroe Brothers and others. “It’s a musical world that’s dear to my heart, and I’m grateful to explore the history of the these sounds with students,” said Pinkerton.
Students in the Old Time Country ensemble include Amy Branham, Ahmeik Robinson, Belinda Ligotino, Cass Drury, Connor Whittington-Couse, Dan Carr, Nick Santos, Sara Pierson, Samuel Walczyk, and Shane Humphrey.
“It was such a fun experience working with such creative people,” said Kyra Vazquez, a vocalist in the New Wave ensemble. Vazquez notes how performing the set gave her an “adrenaline rush,” and she appreciates the time she had on stage and in rehearsals with her bandmates. “At first we all jammed on songs we liked from the era and even when we decided on the set list, it still felt like we were just having fun jamming with each other,” said Vazquez.
The New Wave ensemble was lead by Dr. Sean McClowry, and students include Brian Masella, Gabriel Klingler-Horn, Jason Whitmore, Juliana Castrillon Cadena, Kyra Vazquez, Mady Barona, Tia Malai Mathison, and Valerie Barbosa.
“It’s a joy for me to do this,” said Professor Matthew Finck, who lead the Queen ensemble. He was proud of how hard each group worked and the amount of hours they practiced. “It was awesome, you can see they’re working,” said Finck.
“Every single person in that band is just awesome and great to work with,” said Shawn McNair, one of the guitarists for the Queen ensemble. McNair practices nearly three hours a day, and for this concert he practiced every other day for a half an hour since January. Music is his passion, and it allows McNair to escape from his personal struggles. “Music makes you not think about that. It takes you to a different place,” said McNair.
Students in the Queen ensemble include Drew Pelrine, Elena Karpoff, Julia Gargano, Josh Morris, Jillian Sedran, Kyla Silk, Kyle Robinson, Robert Friedmann, Shawn McNair, and Victoria Christie.
The Motown ensemble was lead by Dr. Suna Gunther, and students include David Cuttino, Jorim Motley, Kayla Carpenter, Maria Carvajal, Mark Manning, Michael Sanchez, and Thea Mundy. Instrumentalists include Amanda Wedel, Ana Carolina Seixas Peronico, Jadon Burch, Kacie Ciarelli, Victor Dmitriev, and Zechariah Allen.
The night ended with “Bohemian Rhapsody” performed by the Queen ensemble. Aftwards, students celebrated with faculty members and their families about their successful performances, while each attendee left Studio G3 with positive impressions and joy from the passion students shared. “Like I said, I’m not thinking about anything—nothing bad, everything good. You’re just going on feelings at that point and not thinking,” said McNair.
