Thursday concert changes its tune

Series mixes classical instruments with modern music renditions

BELEN HERNANDEZ Campus Life Editor @b3l3nh3rnand3z

The doors opened at 12:45 on Thursday Feb. 21 for a performance by the Forte Brass Quintet, in Pierce College’s Performing Arts Center. They played instruments such as the trumpet, french horn, the tuba and the trombone.

Genres were played from classical music by Mozart, to the Mario Bros. theme song, to a hit rock song by the band Kansas. They also gave a history of each genre they performed, giving the audience a feel for what to expect.

Stephanie Walters, an undecided major, said that her favorite part of the performance was how they incorporated classical instruments into more modern music.

“I really liked when they started to get to the popular music, because I think I have heard brass, and those types of instruments playing classical and renaissance music,” Walters said. “But I thought it was fun to hear the more modern music with those instruments.”

Walters believes that performances likes this are need to have a background in music.

“Of course, I think they are amazing. I appreciate everyone who made the effort to make it happen.” said Walters. “I think it’s really important to have the students see live performances and also just be aware of all the music, and music history. “

Barbara Laronga, a Forte Brass Quintet player, believes that events like this are beneficial for students.

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“I think that a lot of students benefit from seeing instruments that they might have not ever seen perform live before,” Laronga said. “I also think that learning

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Laronga also mention to the audience that she first fell in love with the trumpet when she was in elementary school and they demoed instruments for her class.

Laronga hopes that students leave with a positive mindset when they see her group perform.

“I hope they have more enjoyment of music and maybe it will inspire them to see some more live music, or maybe inspire some of them to pick up an instrument themselves instead start,” Laronga said.

Gabriella Sherman, a business major, believes that watching performances such as the Forte Brass Quintet opens up students to learning more.

“I am a business major but it’s still really cool to see things that are important in other peoples majors because then you become a well rounded person,” said Sherman.

There are free concerts at the Performing arts Building mainstage, which are open to the public. The next concert will be a Feb. 28 performance by Dramane Kone- African Rhythms.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) students kicked it into high gear last week, thanks to some handson experience with a race car.

STEM week opened Wednesday, Feb. 20, in the Great Hall and was split into a two-day event held on campus, followed by a Friday field trip to CSUN, where a dozen students got a tour and a chance to work on a high performance vehicle.

Students were able to meet and gain advice from STEM transfer students. While Thursday, Feb. 21 was a chance to meet with STEM professionals who are working in the field.

Physics Department Chair Dale Fields said the event benefits students because it is practical experience for them and they are getting recent information.

“To me, being knowledgeable, being able to take something from sort of a gut decision and turn that into a conscious choice by going and exploring STEM week, you can say, ok, yes, this is exactly what I want to do,” Fields said.

Transfer students were also present to share their experience and knowledge of being a STEM major after graduating and moving onto a four-year institution.

Jamie Hale, a former Pierce student and a mechanical engineering major, said she believes events like these help students figure out which college is better suited for their major.

“I just want to help them the way I kind of felt like I was helped,” Hale said. “Maybe help them decide because I'm assuming if they already are in STEM they already kind of have an idea of what they want to do.”

According to Lily Duong, a Pierce College counselor, this event gives the students the opportunity to meet people who work in the stem field and to understand what it’s like to be in the real world.

“Sometimes, you don’t get the opportunity every day to get to meet people who are forensic scientists or to meet a professor who worked for UCLA, what it is like to teach if they want to go in the field,” Duong said.

Many students were able to mingle with STEM professionals and explore all the different careers in STEM.

Adrian Harper, an I.T. and software developer for Cloud 77 talked to students about the importance of utilizing their skills in the workforce.

“One of the things that I definitely encourage anyone in any career, but definitely in a STEM career is to build up your portfolio,” Harper said.