Bring the Music

On Wednesday, the University Program Board announced Boys Like Girls as the chosen artist for the fall convocation center show. Since the decision was revealed, it has been a popular topic of discussion around campus as students complain or celebrate the result. However, it seems few people understand and take into consideration all the factors that must be evaluated in order to reach a final decision on the UPB’s chosen entertainment. There is more to the UPB than concerts and more to planning events than choosing an artist and booking the date. It is a careful process weighing popularity, availability and cost in order to reach a final decision.
The UPB is split into five committees, which work together to plan an eclectic spectrum events around the JMU campus. Center Stage produces major concerts, The Film Committee plans Grafton movies, Arts and Culture brings educational and cultural speakers and Special Events plans comedians, guest speakers and any other programs, which could be beneficial to the JMU student body. There are about 30 actively participating students in the Center Stage Committee and about 75 within the entire UPB. The Board is headed by an executive council made up of directors from each committee, three vice presidents, the Executive Assistant, President, Creative Director, Financial Director, Webmaster, Grad Assistant and UPB Coordinator.
In the case of the fall convocation center concert, the process begins with a list of touring artists compiled by a middle agent, Melissa Boyle Aronson of Babco Entertainment, LLC. From this list of comedians and bands, spanning different genres and price ranges, a survey is distributed to students and once results are returned, the artists who received the most votes are looked into more carefully. Price and availability are two of the biggest factors, though popularity is always top priority.
“We look closely at all the artists that got the best responses in the survey,” says Center Stage Committee director Patrick White. “We go down the list until we find the most popular artist who is available. We also make diversity of music genres a goal. For example, last semester we had hip-hop, this semester is rock, next may be something different.”
This semester was nearly something very different as other top acts considered included Taylor Swift, Wanda Sykes and Sarah Bareilles. However, different factors gradually eliminated each of the artists. Taylor Swift is touring with Rascal Flatts, which would cost over $100,000 to bring to the school. Sarah Bareilles’ tour schedule became totally booked and Wanda Sykes would have meant a compromise between a comedian and a concert.
“We would have had to decide between a Convo concert or a Convo comedian,” explained White. “We knew that the Convo concert is an experience that means so much to many students and our committee members, so we couldn’t bring Sykes to JMU.”
White also explained the complications of availability and price as a tricky factor to consider, “If an artist is touring through our region when we have a Convo date, their price is much cheaper than it would be otherwise and that’s an opportunity we like to grab when we can. For Boys Like girls, we chose a show that is sponsored by Verizon Wireless. One of the pros of choosing a sponsored show is that you get even more bang for your buck!”
The UPB has the benefit of the buck as it is the largest funded student organization at JMU. Half of the funds are dedicated to the Center Stage Committee, which uses the money to produce four concerts every year, including the fall show scheduled for Friday, September 26.
Reactions to the decision so far have been mixed.
“I think Boys Like Girls is too poppy for JMU,” said sophomore Rachel Williams. “I think someone like Badfish (a Sublime tribute band) would draw more of a crowd.”
For those who are disappointed in the choice, White suggests getting active. “Respond to the survey and spread the word! If the artist you want is not on the survey, we leave in write-in space for that. What many students don’t realize is that unfortunately many artists are not touring, not available or outside the budget of UPB.”
However, others who recall past UPB events are more optimistic. “I loved T-Payne,” said sophomore Kelley Brink. “I had so much fun at that concert so I think Boys Like Girls could be good, too.”
Regardless, the decision has been made and not without careful thought, consideration and discussion between UPB members. Whether a fan of Boys Like Girls or not, it is still important to consider and recognize the hard work and dedication of the UPB to consistently bring quality entertainment here to JMU. September 26 should be an exciting night.