To promote the Department of Music, Augusta University hosted its first-ever MusiCon, which featured performances, games, prizes and food in front of the Summerville Campus’ Grove C. Maxwell Theater on Friday, Oct. 20.
Acting as an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., MusiCon showcased the many talents within the university’s Department of Music such as several choirs, opera singers and various musicians part of different ensemble groups.
For Marcel Ramalho, director of Choral Activities and professor of voice in the Department of Music, MusiCon served as a chance to show everyone the highlights of AU’s music programs.
“It’s to show that it doesn’t matter if you’re a major, minor, non-major or just a community member, you can just come and sing with us,” he said. “The idea is to have this [event] every year and just get other AU students to come and join us, and get more high schoolers and people from the community.”
Cultivating an inviting and warm environment, Ramalho said he wants everyone who has the time to feel welcomed and encouraged to join a choir or other musical group.
“Beyond the musical skills that you develop, there is also community building – the friendships,” he said. “People in choirs make friendships, especially in college. These are the friendships that last for the rest of their lives … the strengthening of relationships is really what choral music is about.”
With musicians and singers forced to listen to each other in order to perfect a piece, Ramalho said the long process of performance preparation teaches students to learn not only respect one another, but to also be more aware of one’s surroundings.
“It’s about being aware of everything that’s around you, of the group and not just yourself as a soloist,” he said.
Freshman biology major Layla Keanum, said she joined Ramalho’s University Singers Choir because music has been a constant and comforting presence within her life. Her personal favorites to perform include songs that involve complex harmonies which combine to create memorable moments.
“I like the unity of the choir. Choir families are really nice,” said Keanum. “There’s a different atmosphere – it’s fun and upbeat. It kind of makes you less selfish, too, because you’re not supposed to be able to pick out who’s singing. You’re supposed to hear everyone as a whole.”
Performances even included students from Grovetown High School, who performed in partnership with AU singers.
Ashlyn Baker, a sophomore at Grovetown High, said she loved being a part of her school’s choir because it has developed her social skills while boosting her confidence about public performances.
Fellow high school sophomore Sasha Brown, said choir has given her the opportunity to grow out of her natural shyness and has given her aspirations to become a music teacher.
“This has given me so many opportunities and I’ve gotten to meet so many great people in my life,” she said. “I’m just so grateful for choir. It’s really one of the greatest things I’ve ever had … every time I’m feeling down, I can just go to choir and sing and it makes me so much happier. It’s amazing.”
While Brown said she loved performing and getting to know AU students because she looks up to them as musical mentors and inspirations, junior high schooler Cat Dubose said she enjoyed collaborating and learning from one another.
For participating high school senior Emma Anderson, performing at AU’s MusiCon allows her the chance to build foundational relationships that might benefit her in college.
“I have been a singer since the day I was born. So, being in choir is really me showing who I am, and as I transition into college and other things it is my gateway into becoming a choir director,” she said. “I want to go to AU, so performing here with these students is like performing alongside future peers. It gives me an in because I know the directors.”
Despite the morning’s pouring rain, many students, parents and faculty attended in support of their friends and family and offered cheers and applause after each performance.
Sophomore Matt Cooper, who is majoring in vocal performance and is part of the university’s opera performers, said he was attracted to AU’s Music Department because of its small classes, which allows more opportunities to build personal relationships with staff and faculty.
“Here you have more one-on-one time with your professors, especially your voice teachers,” he said. “And, with opera, you get a chance at more lead roles to put on your resume, whereas, at a bigger school with a bigger music department, those roles are usually given away to graduate or doctoral students. So here, you get the chance to be the lead as an undergraduate.”
Cooper said being a part of AU various musical showcases has made him “fall in love with music even more” and also helped him realize he wants to become a professional opera singer in the future.
With AU being largely advertised for specializing in science and healthcare programs, Cooper said he was excited to have a MusiCon to help promote the lesser known areas of the university.
“I think the Music Department is really great here and I think if more people know about it then more people will come to the department and it’ll make it even bigger,” he said.
For more information about the Music Department or upcoming performances, please visit: https://www.augusta.edu/pamplin/music/
