Some people left when it all started. Some people stayed. Some people got upset, and some just went away. This semester, the Portland Events Board aggressively hunted artists and bands to play at USM for the new “Weekly Wednesdays” mini-concert series. The most unusual part about these events is that the PEB has concerts during peak school hours.
“I’m trying to provide a variety of different kinds of music in order to bring some spirit to the campus,” said Joe Frechette, PEB chair. “I want to create something with regularity so that people know that there is a force on campus that’s trying to help them to bring their day up – a little perk.”
The list of bands Frechette had perform included: Pete Kilpatrick, guitarist; Richard Grime, percussionist; and names that much of the USM and Portland community might be more familiar with like Boombazi, Stream, and Zion Train.
“I think that the student community is spread out, and those are the people I’m trying to reach,” said Frechette.
While Frechette is optimistic about his program, some administrators and students feel the time of the concerts is inappropriate.
Andrea Thompson McCall, assistant dean of student life and University interfaith chaplain, whose office is also in the Campus Center, said that while she likes the intent of what the PEB is doing, she feels the Campus Center “is not an appropriate place for amplified music” during regular study hours.
“I like the acoustic music,” said June Heggeman, administrative assistant to the Office of Student Life “When I have to forward the phone because I can’t hear it ring, it’s too loud.”
Frechette received only two formal complaints, but he’d heard claims made of as many as 60 students complaining during the louder events.
Some of the events have been problem-free. The difference between Boombazi’s 311/Rage Against the Machine sounds and Richard Grime’s melodic marimba tunes are as different as each of their genres suggest.
Frechette has been receiving letters of support as well, three so far from students. Impressed with the fact that these students took the time to write short letters and e-mails expressing support has made the criticism bearable. He even had one student who was angry one week apologize the next, saying that he understood the nature of what the PEB was trying to do and liked it. Frechette said that he understands the needs of commuter students to find study space in the Campus Center, and that he will do whatever he can to accommodate them.
For the last week of classes, John Marshall, PEB vice-chair, is planning The Release. The Thursday before finals, Dec. 12, the PEB puts Relishgruv, Sly Chi, and Boombazi at USM in the caf? area in the Woodbury Campus Center. Music will play from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m., with a bar available for those with proper identification.