The beautiful thing about a university campus like ours is accessibility to a wide range of activities.
Before we graduate, each and every one of us should experience, in addition to other things, a football game, a fraternity party, a lecture on something for which we have no informed opinion and a campus musical attraction.
That being said, it has taken me three years and two months to begin an exploration of the College’s musical groups.
I have read the advertisements throughout my undergraduate stay, but two weeks ago, I decided to go. It was time to explore what the others in the student body I represent does in its spare time and Meliora Weekend afforded me a wonderful opportunity.
I attended the Rochester Revue, Rochester Sings and the UR Symphony Orchestra and University Choir performance.
The Rochester Revue offered a mix of student groups, including the Black Students’ Union, the Association for Development of Interest in The Indian subcontinent, Vocal Point and the Midnight Ramblers.
The event, hosted by University Vice President and General Secretary Paul Burgett, provided an extremely sociable atmosphere to showcase these groups’ extraordinary talents.
To me, the pleasant surprise of the weekend was the performance of the UR Symphony Orchestra and University Choir.
Now, I must say, I was not the most enthusiastic concertgoer who walked into Strong Auditorium on that evening, but when I walked out, I was hooked. I am by no means a connoisseur of music of this ilk ? quite the contrary, I am a rock drummer.
What amazed me is that we have students on this campus who take a rigorous course load, just as we do, participate in other extracurricular activities, just as we do, and still have the time to hone their ability to make such beautiful music.
To put it bluntly, this group is as talented as any other professional orchestra out there.
I would have paid some big bucks and put on a tuxedo for their performance. Also, let me remind you, I am not speaking of Eastman’s orchestra, but of River Campus’.
Please, don’t make the same mistake I did and wait until your senior year ? when you realize that you will soon not have access to all of these wonderfulgroups. Go and support your fellow students’ efforts.
Start utilizing your ever-present accessibility now. From now on, the next time you see your hallmates walking out of their rooms with a violin case in hand, heading over to their group’s practice, ask them when their next show is and tell them that you will attend. You’ll be glad you did.
LaBoda can be reached at jb011h@mail.rochester.edu.
