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Issue date: 3/14/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Jason Hook, Photographer

Audience members bobbed their heads and performers stomped their feet as the powerful sounds of the music department filled the C.J. Davidson Center on Tuesday. The jazz, bassoon and percussion ensembles and the concert chorale and brass choir gave performances in support to raise money for the Friends of Art and Music Education organization.

The 11th annual FAME Showcase Concert and Plate Auction provides, through funding, support for students in the art and music department. Departmental scholarships are awarded to deserving students every year.

Freshman Jared Johnson said his reason for attending was because he is trying to get more involved in school.

"I'm trying to see and do more things," Johnson said. "I think the concert is neat. You get to see and preview everyone." Johnson said his favorite piece was "Wade in the Water."

Songs on the program included "I Can't Stop Loving You," by Don Gibson, "Wade in the Water," arranged by Koepke, "We Can Do It," by The Producers and "The Adventures of Space Cat" by Mark Spede. A student solo performed by senior Omar Mojica on the saxophone received an overwhelming applause from the audience. Freshman Niki Boadle attended the concert for extra credit for a music class.

"I really liked the student solo," Boadle said. "He was really good. He played a lot of notes really fast. It was very interesting."

One of the songs, "Beautiful, Summer Rain, Midnight Dream" was written by ASU's own Assistant Director of Bands Daniel McCloud.

"Overall, the format [of FAME] is similar…but the percussion ensemble is performing this time for the first time in several years," Scott said. "It's always a great opportunity to let students perform, but the audience will still hear something different."

Head of Art and Music Department Dr. David Scott said the FAME concert was held in the UC this year instead of its usual location in the University Auditorium because of the drama department's "Into the Woods" production setup.

"We use the auditorium when it's available, but the Davidson is certainly a good place to do it," Scott said. The more spacious C.J. Davidson allowed extra room for bidders to view and mill around the plates for auction.

During intermission, people lined the spine of the UC to view and bid on the plates painted by faculty, students and local celebrities. Some of the artists were broadcast journalist Carolyn McEnrue, President Joseph C. Rallo, Professor Ben Sum, Chicken Farm Art Center founder Roger Allen and potter Linda Gossett.

"The best benefit of the event is to be able to showcase the talents of our students and our faculty to the public and community," Scott said. "This is an opportunity for the community to get a wide variety…they get to hear a little bit of everything. It's all in one package and a very enjoyable concert. Great bang for the buck."

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