Imagine football games without the band. This means no fight song at touchdowns, no live halftime performance and no music to celebrate school pride. Live music is an essential part of campus culture that often goes unnoticed. Through many different avenues, it fosters a sense of community and connection uniting people from all types of backgrounds.
The university hosts many live music events each year which helps contribute to the community involvement that live music can provide. The welcome concert featuring artist Dustin Lynch gathered students at the beginning of the school year during a time where people are eager to get to know one another. Hosting a music event at such a pivotal time can unite people based on the artist, genre or simply a general love for the arts and live events.
Another campus facilitated music event is the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival hosted annually for the past 59 years. 2027 will feature the 60th festival of its kind and is credited on their website as “one of the largest and oldest educational jazz festivals in the world.” The festival features over 100 workshops and classes open to all, as well as four main concerts with renowned jazz musicians. This festival allows those from all around campus to experience the world and community of music. Allowing musicians to learn from high achieving performers as well as showing those without music experience to see talentcreates engagement with people from all scopes of life.
Aside from all the university facilitated events and opportunities to experience music, the art form creates connection all on its own. Having a conversation with someone when suddenly you discover they have the same taste in genre, artists, songs, or even liking the same instrument creates an instant relation to that person. These commonalities can then transform into relationships that can last for years to come.
Music is such a common and influential part of life that allows for people to connect in immesurable ways. If someone is performing in a public space, that music is not limited to only the person playing. It’san experience anyone there to witness it can have. This is what makes live music so unique. Whether it is someone playing in front of a giant audience or turning on the radio in a car full of friends, everyone there is sharing the listening experience. Listening to music together creates lasting memories and cherished moments. By having university facilitated events such as the Dustin Lynch concert or Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, these moments are given opportunities to be created.
Having the marching band perform at football games gives life to the audience beyond cheers. It creates a hopeful and engaging atmosphere that only increases interaction towards one another. Next time you are walking through campus and hear music being played, think about what that moment would be like in silence to recognize the true impact music can have.
Amelie Dobler can be reached at [email protected]
