Student Concert Committee started the school year in August with a surge of marketing efforts for our two fall semester shows, Lady Antebellum with Special Guest David Nail, and Snoop Dogg with Special Guest Janelle Monae. Second year members led marketing efforts to incoming freshmen at the Boiler Gold Rush Activities Fair and to the general student body at the Purdue Memorial Union Board Student Activities Fair. Dozens of posters were hung, blackboards and sidewalks chalked, social networking campaigns were launched, and table talks were given at Greek houses and residence halls.
These activities were quickly followed by SCC Callout which attracted 65 applications for appointment to the committee. Only eight new members are chosen each academic year. The application and interview process was completed in late September and the following new members were appointed to a two-year term: Kara Ford, Hilary Hoover, Billy LaRue, Molly Longest, Ashwath Rajagopalan, April Smith, Katherine Susemichael, and Hayley Warner. Second year members include Greg Braun, Kevin Breen, Austin Chen, Charleston Crouch, Sean Mullen, Josie Pike, Travis Sawrie, and Jack Ulrich. Year-two members were happy to have extra help executing our promotional activities.
New members had only been aboard a little over a week when the Lady Antebellum performance came on October 7th. New members were supplied with the newly written SCC Production Manual and given instruction on backstage etiquette and work expectations. All went smoothly, and the group quickly bonded and gained experience at just what it takes to put on a large touring performance!
Working big shows becomes very intense a few days prior to the performance. SCC members are busy gathering food requested on our advance sheet called the “rider” that gives instructions on how to prepare for the day of the performance. Technical needs such as lighting, audio and stage are handled by the crew at Elliott Hall of Music. SCC concentrates on preparing the catering room, dressing rooms and meet- and -greet spaces. The students begin to shop a day or two in advance of the show gathering the requested items and anything else needed. They assist the caterer in preparing for meals and set up the dressing rooms with pipe and drape, tables, furniture…whatever is required. Some of the students also serve as “runners” working for the band’s production crew day of show.
We had hardly caught our breath from the first show when, just eleven days later on October 20th, it was time for Snoop Dogg’s performance…….and, it was his birthday! At first, his staff had said that Snoop usually didn’t care to have his birthday recognized, but he must have changed his mind because he sang “Happy Birthday” to himself along with the audience during the show! SCC had a great time meeting him after the show and sharing a birthday cake they presented to him.
The semester ended with a holiday pizza party at Bruno’s, and the committee said “good-bye” to member Sean Mullen, this semester’s production manager, who graduated in December. Thanks, Sean, for all your contributions to the committee!
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