Community /
Blogs
The opinions expressed in these blogs are solely those of the people who wrote them, and do not represent the views of WPSU or Penn State University.
Live Local Music
SPA Noontime Concert Series: The Potential is There
Posted by Ryan Chase on 12/02 at 02:13 PM
Every Friday at noon during the fall and spring semesters, a band performs on the first floor lounge of the HUB-Robeson Center. It’s called the Noontime Concert Series. Masterminded by SPA (Student Programming Association) and funded by the student activity fee, the Noontime Concert Series, in the past, has offered an eclectic selection of outfits stretching the entire musical soundscape.
The SPA Noontime Concert Series inhabits a relatively small space that reverts back to the chair-saturated lounge area when the show ends. The HUB does not need to over-extend itself to accommodate the band, and the band (looking for an opportunity to perform and further expand its audience) can satisfy its needs without much, if any, loss. It’s the perfect marriage.
I recently corresponded via email with Carolyn Lederach, the SPA Noontime Concert Series chair. She says she pays particular attention to representing a wide spread of music – classical, jazz, folk, etc. But as of late, the series’ oeuvre has largely been restricted to acoustic-based music, much to the chagrin, she says, of the audience who wants rock music.
This is one of the shortcomings of the series. In the past, it has showcased such acts as Andrew Jackson’s Jazz Ensemble, (which I attended and enjoyed thoroughly) and Pennharmonics. However, by trending towards similar sounding acoustic-based acts, it is running the risk of losing the renown and notoriety it once held in providing a glimpse into styles of music we might otherwise not hear on the radio or through our iPods.
Acoustic-based music faces no danger of extinction—it’s everywhere. It’s understandable considering the flexibility and ease in which it provides its artists and hosts. Nevertheless, if the Noontime Concert Series considers diversity a point of emphasis for its program, perhaps it should intensify its search for more varied acts.
According to Carolyn Lederach, they receive “emails from artists, managers, booking agents about wanting to play on campus.†They also accept submissions from Sonicbids.com. Perhaps they should adopt a more aggressive role and pound the pavement, so to speak, to seek other bands, especially ones who do not frequent sites like sonicbids.com. Also, they might benefit from holding student showcases more often, as opposed to once or twice each semester.
Outside of band selection, the Noontime Concert Series should also take another look at its promotion plan. While I enjoyed Andrew Jackson’s Jazz Ensemble, I have not returned for a show since. The schedule should be accessible to more students than those passing through the HUB during lunchtime.
The SPA isn’t entirely to blame, of course. The audience has just not been responsive. Penn State is a university of students that putatively craves “the other†- the new and different. But when we are given an opportunity to hear new kinds of music, what do we do? We complain. Perhaps if students look up from their cell phones, they would see this alternative outlet blooming right in front of them. More constructive audience feedback could help the series. With time, it has the potential to flourish.
In order for the two sides to reconcile, somebody has to give. Perhaps the SPA could take the first step. Mix it up more frequently and see what happens. Indeed, it may already be happening this Friday. iToombs, an up-and-coming rapper and clothing designer from Brooklyn, is a formidable start:
iToombs
When: Friday, December 3rd
Where: HUB 1st Floor Lounge
Author: Ryan Chase
Bio: Ryan Chase is a senior at Pennsylvania State University, majoring in English and Sociology. In his free time, he enjoys writing, reading, woodcarving, and playing the guitar. Outside of most rap and opera, he listens to every type of music, but he prefers classic rock and jazz. His favorite artists are Robert Johnson, Heatmiser, and Minor Davis & the Fuzzy Slippers.
Leave a Comment
Commenting is not available in this section entry. « Secret Show Kicks Off Thanksgiving Break Penn State Women's Volleyball Eyes 4th Straight »Most recent entries
Our Local Food Journey comes to an end
- Wednesday, January 31, 2018
- By Jamie Oberdick in Local Food Journey
Winter isn’t a quiet time at the farm
- Wednesday, January 31, 2018
- By James Eisenstein in Local Food Journey
Get the taste of garden season right now by growing herbs indoors
- Friday, January 26, 2018
- By Jamie Oberdick in Local Food Journey
All you need to know about PASA’s Farming for the Future conference
- Friday, January 19, 2018
- By Jamie Oberdick in Local Food Journey
Categories
Archives
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
NO COMMENTS