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Printer-Friendly ModeCoffee House Series makes a comeback
February 8, 2010 —
The music is back.
Fans of Program Board’s Coffee House Series of acoustic performances by student musicians had reason to celebrate last Monday as the board held its first concert of the school year.
A fluctuating crowd of about 50 listeners gathered in the Rotunda to sip coffee and hear eight musicians strum guitars and sing.
A last-minute poetry reading contributed to the diversity of Program Board’s offerings.
Literature junior Miguel Brewer said he found the event relaxing.
Though he can often be seen strumming his own guitar at Starbucks between classes, Brewer chose to soak up the atmosphere on Monday instead of performing.
“I’m just here to hear some good music from fellow students, and feel the vibe,” Brewer said.
One popular performer was Steve Gould, an accounting junior who also furnished the equipment and served as audio technician for the event.
Gould bucked the evening’s acoustic trend for his set, plugging in his Fender and jamming on favorites by Journey, Bryan Adams and John Mayer.
Gould said he has been playing guitar for 11 years and has played professionally at a number of bars and parties in his hometown of Bay City.
Monday night’s concert marked Gould’s fourth SVSU performance, and he said he looks forward to more.
“Every opportunity to play on campus is great,” he said.
“It helps me to get my name out there, and I can listen to a lot of musicians I haven’t heard before.”
The Coffee House Series provides one of the most economical campus entertainments, said Program Board President John Reno, both for students and for the board’s bottom line.
All performers are volunteers, University space is free and coffee is donated by Dining Services, Reno explained.
In fact, the electrical and computer engineering junior said, the total cost of Monday’s event was about $50 – less than one tenth of one percent of Program Board’s annual budget.
Many students expressed pleasure at the Coffee House’s return, including criminal justice sophomore Chandra Pethers.
“I really enjoyed coming down here last year,” said Pethers.
“I didn’t think they we’re going to do them anymore.”
Those worries should be dispelled after the success of Monday’s concert, said Andrew Boyle, Program Board’s Music and Special Events Chair.
“I’m extremely happy with the way the event turned out,” said the graphic design junior.
Boyle said the turnout confirmed his plans for another Coffee House Series concert on March 1, and up to two more after that before the semester ends.
“I cannot wait for the next one,” Boyle said.
“It’s going to be a great time.”