From pop to hip-hop, rock and roll, hard rock, every genre was represented at the “Music Now!” concert. It opened its doors to students, families and friends from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday April 18 at City College’s Garvin Theatre.
The concert was organized and performed by City College’s “Electronic Music and Sound Recording” class, led by Instructor Adam Camardella.
As doors opened a steady stream of attendees filled the venue. Music continued to play over the speaker, maintaining a lively atmosphere as guests found their seats. The audience had the chance to enjoy swirling colorful lights on each side of the auditorium.
Before the event began, the stage was already fully set with numerous microphones, a piano, speakers, electric guitars and a drum kit ready. Backstage the musicians were getting ready for their performances.
Once the lights dimmed and the show began, Camardella welcomed the crowd and introduced the first band of the evening called “The Russell’s.”
All the pieces showcased on stage were by City College students, with the sole exception of one band, called “Psycho Surfers,” comprising band members named Mr.Rincon (Vocals), Trent Hinkforth (Guitar), Ted Jennings (Bass) and Lance Charles (Drums). After they played four songs there was a brief intermission for about 10 minutes.
The entire audience remained attentive and enthusiastic from start to finish, applauding and cheering for every piece.
The last performances by “SB Floyd” really got the crowd going. For this final performance, many students who had previously performed their own acts returned to the stage. It was a combination of two vocalists, an electric guitar, an acoustic guitar, piano and drums which were played by Camardella himself.
“I love that . . . I like music production, but for me when I get to play music it’s probably the most freedom you get in your life,” Camardella said. “You don’t have to pretend to be anybody else.”
It wasn’t just an amazing moment for Camardella, but for students like Deja Zoufonoun as well. Performing on stage at the event was an experience she will never forget.
“It was nerve-racking in the preparation because this is my first time performing on this big of a stage and performing my originals,” Zoufonoun said. “But it was a lot of fun and I definitely felt really excited in the moment to be on stage and see the crowd.”
According to Camardella the whole concert took six to eight weeks which they spent practicing and getting acts together.
“This is a lot of work that goes into this by myself and definitely by all the students and the crew here just to pull this off,” Camardella said. “I am proud of all the people who helped behind the scenes and anybody who definitely stepped up to be a performer in the show.”
