Upon arriving on campus, it would not take one too long to realize that a love for music runs deep within the student body. Whether it be at Springfest or a walk through the Dean hallways, music is prevalent and has found a way to leave a lasting impact on the St. Lawrence community.
“I am so grateful for the passionate musicians that I get to surround myself with on a daily basis,” said Hana Bushara, a first-year at St. Lawrence. “From Java open mic nights to Pub 56 concerts, jamming in the practice rooms of Griffiths on a sunday night or overhearing somebody absolutely nailing a Beyonce song in the hallway; SLU has some incredibly talented musicians.”
She is right. St. Lawrence is home to some impressively talented student bands and groups, and our very own DJ Wazzza & Hemant will be further demonstrating that when they open for Big Gigantic and Cults at Springfest this coming weekend.
St. Lawrence is also unique in the way that it provides so many experiences for students looking to enrich their connection with music. Theme houses like the Arts Annex and Java allow students to live with peers who share their passion for music, Pub 56 regularly brings in musical acts and the campus serves as a venue for music festivals throughout the year.
The abundance of music on campus has allowed many at St. Lawrence to connect on deeper levels and create lasting bonds. “When I was there I thought that it was a very welcoming, non-exclusive musical atmosphere. Basically everyone who played music knew each other, so it was a very easy way to connect with people,” said Louisa Stancioff, a St. Lawrence graduate and current musician living in Asheville, N.C.
Riley Doyle, a sophomore at St. Lawrence and active musician on campus, further emphasized the notion that music has allowed him to connect with new friends. “Since coming to school I’ve picked up playing the guitar and have found myself playing with a lot of people. If it weren’t for music I probably wouldn’t know any of them.”
Whether you find yourself singing in the shower or in the front row at Springfest, music has been able to connect with us all and, in doing so, has allowed us to connect with those around us. It’s safe to say that St. Lawrence has been hit hard with the music bug, and this is one virus the health center won’t be looking to cure.