Coffee House calls upon local musicians for compilation

Coffee and good music make for a relaxing environment.

At Program Board’s Coffee House series, a biweekly event on campus, musicians and other performers are invited to share their talents with the community and enjoy hot drinks.

Computer science seniors Ian Naughton and Estevan Balderrama performed together for the second time at the coffee house, playing a mixture of music including folk, something to make people laugh and mellow music.

The Valley Vanguard

Vanguard photo | Amelia Brown

From left, computer science seniors Estevan Balderrama and Ian Naughton perform in a collaborative performance for the second time at Program Board’s bi-weekly event, the Coffee House series.

“It’s a very positive environment,” he said. “Everyone’s here just to hear the music, so it’s not intimidating.”

Balderrama agreed that the community is supportive of the musicians.

“Everyone is here to hear entertainment and see what people can do,” he said. “They’re not here to judge us. They’re just here to have some coffee and relax.”

The success of the coffee house performances has led to a plan for a CD to be recorded of the musicians’ original songs. The CD will be sold at the coffee house next semester, with a part of the funds raised going to each included musician.

One of the musicians included on the CD is elementary education sophomore Katherine Ross-Patrick, with her song “Season of Love.”

“I’m really stoked to be included in the CD,” Ross-Patrick said. “I’ve never really recorded any of my songs with that kind of equipment. It was a great experience to have under my belt now, and I think the idea of it is awesome.”

Original music by Kevin Ward, Mitch Sansiribhan, Travis Toye, Ian Naughton, Will Wood, Justin O’Kelly and Tony Dier will be featured on the CD.

“I think the coffeehouse CD will showcase all the of wonderful, talented students we have here at SVSU,” Ross-Patrick said.

The coffee house provides students with the opportunity for creative expression.

“I think the student body should have somewhere where they can bring the art that they create on their own time,” Naughton said. “Just having an outlet is an important thing.”

Balderrama said having a welcoming place to perform allows everyone to share, regardless of their field of study.

“Not everyone is an arts student, but a lot of us still have talents we want to showcase.”

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