Photo Credit: The Xavierite
“Can you hear the music?” Niels Bohr asks J. Robert Oppenheimer.
Here at The Xavierite, music is the center of our world. As stated in this week’s news, the jazz band will be performing on Friday, Feb 23. However, we feel that music should be incorporated more in campus life.
Currently, there are many music classes being offered. Some teach instruments, others even teach the history of our favorite kinds of music, such as jazz and rock. Additionally on campus, there is the university chorale, alongside the jazz and rock bands.
Students sometimes see these bands perform in the diner, but it’s not a common occurrence. “It brings some life to the diner, since it’s usually kind of boring in there,” a member of the Xavierite editorial board stated.
“Some people like to study during their lunch break or meet up with friends, and music in the atrium can be distracting or lead to misplaced frustration,” stated a second member of the board. Although we feel that these performances don’t happen enough, we feel that SXU’s music students aren’t recognized enough.
We also feel that they do not have their own space for said performances. The music department currently has many classrooms and its own computer lab alongside their practice space. However, these aren’t places to perform in front of large audiences.
Sure, there might be a lot of room in the old gym for practice, but this is not where concerts take place. McGuire Hall is where they currently perform, but it is a very small performance space.
During the fall semester’s Fish and Chips concert, the space was nearly completely filled with fans and attendees. “It was hard to pay attention to the music when you’re distracted by how awful of a space McGuire is for an actual performance,” said another member of the board.
On top of having space issues, McGuire hall constantly has audio and temperature issues. Professor Babiarz-Lira taught a communication class there during the fall semester, and stated his thoughts on the issues:
”All classes taught in that room, including nursing classes, are either freezing or sweating depending on the day. Also, that sound system could be better for that room, which is a performance space. Upgraded speakers and sound systems would greatly help and improve the music students’ practice and performance.”
However, what does the ideal performance space look like?
First it would have to be able to fit all band members, alongside their equipment, on its stage. It would also have to be big enough to fit a greater seat capacity than McGuire hall. Additionally, the sound system would need better volume control, since McGuire hall’s system is too quiet.
Another way that Saint Xavier could potentially give recognition to its music students would be through its very own radio station, WXAV 88.3FM.
Not many students outside the communication department know about it. “It is a great way to get involved on campus, and to extend music appreciation across campus,” another member of the board stated.
As well, not many students are aware that WXAV accepts song requests. Many students commute and use their cars to get to campus. They probably do not know that they could listen to Saint Xavier radio, or even host their own radio show.
Perhaps one day music students can even collaborate with the radio station, giving live performances. This would allow them to potentially reach out to more audiences than through a concert. It also would make things easier for those who would be unable to attend events held on campus.
Although it may be small, Saint Xavier’s music department gives life to campus. Student involvement rates would rise if they hosted more events. We hope to see the growth of the department in the future.
About Post Author
