On Tuesday, March 31, at 7 p.m., the Union University Music Department hosted a concert in the Hartley Recital Hall showcasing different genres and styles performed by students in the Commercial Music program.
The concert opened with the Bluegrass Ensemble directed by Bob Mayo, followed by the Jazz Band, directed by D.J. Culp.
Culp, associate professor of instrumental music education and commercial music, explained the goal of the program.
“The Commercial Music Program, as a whole, is designed to get students as well equipped as we can to hit the market in a popular music setting as a competitive third party contractor,” Culp said.
Culp added that these types of ensembles help demonstrate students’ work ethic.
“The market doesn’t care about what you are super good at. The market cares about what you can do under stress,” he said.
The audience included students, families and local community members who came to support the musicians.
Sophie Putt, a junior commercial music major who performed with the Jazz Band, spoke about the challenges of preparing for the concert.
“You not only have to know your part well and be confident, but you also have to trust the people in the band to know their part well so that the full song can come together,” Putt said. “Learning how to mold together into a team is extremely important in preparing to put on a good performance.”
Culp also pointed out the distinction of the Commercial Music program, noting its emphasis on improvisation compared with other music programs.
“Classical music training trains people how to follow someone else’s leadership or guidance under pre-composed music,” Culp said. “Commercial music is also composed, but I need what you want on it.”
Culp said the concert helps prepare students for careers in the music industry.
“Commercial music, what it does in a way, that maybe traditional doesn’t do as quickly, is it exposes us to not just everybody else’s point of view musically, but it also exposes us to different genres,” he said.