The music department hosted their annual Music Department Student Showcase in Bird Studio Oct. 2, during Homecoming & Family Weekend. Seven songs were performed at the event, each by a different group.
According to Désirée LaVertu, director of choral and vocal activities, the homecoming concert was meant to showcase the talent and diversity of Occidental’s student body.
“Homecoming brings so many people to campus, alumni and family,” LaVertu said. “it’s a really nice opportunity for them to hear what our students are up to and what our brilliant faculty do.”
According to guitarist Paul Smith (first year), the annual Music Department Student Showcase was his first show as an Occidental student. Smith said the opening piece of the show is the Bossa Nova ballad “If You Never Come To Me,” arranged by the leader of their ensemble, saxophone instructor Daniel Rotem.
“Daniel’s amazing,” Smith said. “He is great, and really holds us to our highest standard.”
Smith said he was looking forward to experimenting with the group and delivering his guitar solo. According to Smith he was happy with the group’s commitment to collaborative creativity.
“I think there is a very good emotional connection between all of us and we are all very mature,” Smith said. “We respect each other; we are good musicians, but we are also more than that.”
LaVertu said she curated the show alongside Choi Family Director of Instrumental Music Chris Kim and Occidental Jazz Ensemble Director Jonathan Richards. According to Kim, the group discussed student groups and what performances they could compose.
“These are some of our highest-level performers in our music [department] right now,” Kim said. “I love to share what we do with our parents on homecoming weekend.”
According to Kim, it is fulfilling to give parents a check in on the progress of the musicians.
“[The musicians] work really hard,” Kim said. “They are able to take in all of our feedback, digest it, synthesize it and make their decisions. I love their openness to different suggestions from coaches.”
Turtle Hoesin (sophomore) said he enjoys the environment of his group and the community they have formed in the first couple weeks.
“I have played in a lot of jazz bands for school and usually everyone kind of hates each other, but it’s a good vibe in this band,” Hoesin said.
Vocalist Mikatrin Heynen (junior) said she began singing at the age of 8 with her school choir and began formal vocal training in fourth grade.
“I’ve been in choir for real since fifth grade until now,” Heynen said. “So it’s a big part of what I do outside of school.”
According to Heynen, she has been working with vocal coach Karen Hogle Brown since she arrived at Occidental. Heyen said she enjoys singing older, classical works.
“I love to inspire passion for some of the older songs because a lot of people at Oxy who sing are not as focused on that,” Heynen said. “People in our generation don’t listen to classical music as much.”
Vocalist Zoe Pedvis (senior) said she was backed by pianist William Schmidt in her performance of a piece titled “La Promessa” by Gioachino Rossini.
“I feel very grateful to show what I have been working on,” Pedvis said. “Especially since it’s my senior year, it’s really nice to share [my music] with people I would not normally get to perform for.”
According to bassist Kai Frazier (junior), the closing piece of the performance was “Use Me” by Bill Withers. Frazier said the song only had two chords in total, which allowed for the vocalists to shine.
“It is a really fun group to be a part of,” Frazier said. “I feel proud to be standing next to them because they are just fun people that I can hang out with after.”
Kim said he is proud of the level of quality and range the student artists have shown him throughout their performances at Occidental.
“I have always believed the journey is more important than the destination,” Kim said. “I think music is one of those things where the rehearsal process journey is really important. That’s why I love to share what we do with our parents on homecoming weekend.”
Contact Marco Zapien at mzapien@oxy.edu
