By Cole Strzelecki
Many clubs have been established at WNE to express various art forms. These include written media-based clubs, video and recording-based clubs, and even sound and music-based clubs. Some such clubs are our university’s band, known as the Golden Bear Band, and choir, the Golden Voices. These clubs will soon exhibit their musical skills and talents at their semesterly Music Showcase.
The Fall semester Music Showcase is scheduled for Sunday, November 24th, at 3 p.m. in Sleith Hall’s Wood Auditorium. The clubs mentioned above will perform and showcase the music they have worked on this semester. The show is open to the entire campus and free to attend, with doors opening at 2:30 p.m. It will even get recorded for people who are unable to attend to watch at a later time.
The Fall Music Showcase will be split into two sections, the first featuring the Golden Voices and the second featuring the Golden Bear Band. In the Golden Voices’ section, the group will perform two songs, “S.O.S” by ABBA and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John, in a cappella. In addition, a variety of solo and duet performances will be included.
“As someone who has been involved in WNE Music as both a student, director, and advisor, I am extremely excited for this semester’s showcase,” said Leah Cunha, advisor and interim director of the Golden Voices. Cunha has been a part of the club for a long time and has seen it progress to where it is today. “This group has grown so much over the last four years. My first showcase in the spring of 2022 was a small one. Over time, though, we have added spotlight solos, refreshments at the door, a professional program, sound/filming done by WNEK & GBTV, and more than doubled the number of guests. Last year, we ran out of programs!”
Cunha has played an active role in trying to make this semester’s Music Showcase one of the best for the Golden Voices and believes it has the potential to be just that. “Planning the showcase is a semester-long task, from picking songs, rehearsing 2-4 hours per week, hosting solo auditions, designing flyers and programs, and collaborating with WNEK & GBTV on tech to ensure that everything goes smoothly,” she explained. Despite all that goes into making it happen, Cunha knows the Golden Voices will do well in their performance. “We are working with a great team this year,” Cunha noted.
The members of the Golden Voices are quite excited to share what they have prepared with the campus. For newcomers to this event, it is an exciting way to be introduced to what the Golden Voices do and see the skillful variety in these performers’ musical talents. For those who have attended previous showcases, the group advises to expect a different performance. “Every semester, the Golden Voices works as a group to select music, and there is always something great and new,” Cunha said. “They don’t stick to the same genre each semester, so you’ll always hear something fresh!”
After their performance, the Golden Voices will begin considering the next Music Showcase event happening in the spring semester. This period is an excellent time for those interested in the club to join and showcase their vocal talent alongside their peers. “If someone is interested in joining Golden Voices, they can reach out to me at [email protected] or President Anthony D’Antonio at [email protected]. Or, they can attend a rehearsal on Mondays & Wednesdays from 5-6 in Rivers 140,” Cunha explained.
For those on the fence about whether they should join or not, the Golden Voices offers ample opportunities to show off what they do and what one should expect as a club member. “The best thing about this group is that it is all-inclusive, meaning that no prior experience is needed to join, and there is no audition process to participate,” Cunha said. We are here to support everyone in their musical journey, whether they are seasoned musicians or just starting.” Even if one doesn’t want to join but is interested in the club, Cunha suggests people attend showcases, spread the word about the group, and have them perform at other campus events to show their support for the talented members of the Golden Voices.
In the Golden Bear Band’s section of the performance, the group will perform three pieces titled “Ring of Fire,” “An American Elegy,” and “Landmark Overture.” “I am ready for this semester’s showcase and am excited for the pieces we are going to play, as they vary in tone and will be very captivating for the audience,” stated Golden Bear Band member Patrick Riley, who plays the clarinet in the ensemble. “It is bittersweet being that it is my last one, but I am proud of the hard work we have put in.”
Just like the Golden Voices, the Golden Bear Band has spent the entire semester practicing and preparing for this showcase. The group takes an hour out of their Tuesday and Thursday nights to master their pieces. Previous showcases have seen the same for the band as they put in their maximum effort to make their portion of the show the greatest it can be.
“I expect it to go very smoothly. Given our small size, we have been able to equip ourselves well, and I believe we will sound nice,” Riley said. “The band has done very well in previous showcases, has seen decent turnout, and truly has been a wonderful venue to promote the performing arts on campus.”
For those interested in the band or who will become interested after hearing their performance, they can reach out to [email protected] for more details. The group’s rehearsal times are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30–8:30 p.m. in Rivers 140, and even just attending one rehearsal can show your support for their club.
The Fall Music Showcase is a significant moment for these music-based clubs. It is a chance for them to show off their impressive talent to the whole school, exemplifying the effort and love they have for their craft. So, if you’re interested in joining one of these clubs or want to stop by to hear your peers perform, check out the Fall Music Showcase.
