Search for annual concert act continues

January 22, 2007 —

The next big musical act to play at SVSU will be decided soon.

Program Board is currently working with a middle agent and will look to select a performer for its year-end concert within the next couple of weeks. The decision will be based on several factors, including cost and the availability of both the act and the Ryder Center facilities.

Last year, the organization brought in Dashboard Confessional, while the year before featured rapper Ludacris. Other concerts have featured the likes of Sugar Ray, Bush, and Jason Mraz.

Program Board has also tallied the results of a survey sent to students in November which aimed to get a better understanding as to what kind of end-of-year musical act would be most appreciated.

Of the proposed genres, rock and country received the majority of votes. Rock was favored by 27 percent while country was a close second with 26 percent. Alternative was third with 18 percent of the total votes.

As expected, Friday and Saturday night were the most requested times for events.

In all, 664 students completed the survey, accounting for six percent of the University's total student population.

"I was really happy how the survey turned out," said Kristi Hunt, public relations chair for Program Board. "I would have liked to see more response, but that's okay."

The survey also asked students for their second choice, the distribution for which was wider: rock received 21 percent, alternative 18 percent, and pop music with 16 percent.

The survey was conducted, in part, to try to alleviate some of the complications of planning a major concert. In the past, Program Board has received criticism over the acts which it selected and the cost of those acts.

Program Board members say not all of that is in their hands. Both the Ryder Center and musical acts are booked months in advance, which makes finding a mutually agreeable date difficult.

Cost is another obstacle as many of the popular artists students request - such as the Dave Matthews Band or Rascal Flatts - are simply too expensive.

Students' varying tastes also play a part in the criticism, as what is enjoyable to some may be deplorable to others.

For example, one student wrote on the survey "no country for the year-end concert, or I will never go to another SVSU concert again!" This opinion differs from the other popular opinion which is "please bring country."

Program Board will be holding its regular meeting tonight at 10 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend to give their feedback.

Program Board has also begun its open recruitment period for new members which will run until Jan. 29. Applications are available in Student Life.