As students walk from activity to activity, they pause as a they hear a DJ going wild in front of the Terry Center, intrigued to the point that their desire to play dodgeball or their desire to steal a hotdog vanishes. Like bees to a flower, they flock to the beat of the music, gathering as a crowd, the ground shaking as they express their fervor. Others, too lazy to walk, enjoy the music from afar, nodding along and tapping feet as they continue to talk to their friends.
This was not the only performance by the Jesuit Musicians Union (JMU), but was one of five that occured on Ranger Day. The DJ described in the scene is Martin Flores ’17, who attracted a hefty crowd, which according to Will Roberts ’19 was the “best crowd [he had] ever seen.”
However, the music was not all about attracting attention and making crowds go wild, but was also for the sake of the performers themselves, as Flores stated that the “unique” music he plays, which is primarily EDM, has been a “really special” part of him for the past four years. As a senior, his music, which is a “hobby gone wild” to him, shows the growth he has experienced at Jesuit, so behind the mesmerizing art lies an emotional statement.
Will Roberts ’19 performed right before Martin Flores ’17, and his joy came from the enthusiasm of the crowd as he stated that “[he] loves to play on Ranger Day because the students make a great crowd as they are jumping around and very active.” The excitement of the atmosphere uplifts these musicians and helps them to continue their love of their art, for both Jesuit and Ursuline students clearly enjoyed it.
While Flores was a one man show, Roberts was accompanied by Witt Chambers ’19, Michael Musso ’19, and Annmarie Melshiemer in his band “Inwood,” demonstrating the diversity of performances that occurred on Ranger Day from solo DJ’s to band performances. Still, all were enjoyed by the crowds.
The Ranger Day performances which began with the “Corey & the Marrs” (Matt Musso ’17, Michael Musso ’19, Miles Okamoto ’17, and Zach Taylor ’18), carried on throughout the morning with “Inwood,” Martin’s solo performance, and the “Taste of the Carribean,” performed by Ben Casey ’18, Sam Eppich ’18, Christopher Reynders ’18, and Luke Theivagt ’18, and concluded with a solo by Sam Cormier ’17.
As Marco Campioli ’19, a mere passerby, highlighted, all these performances were “unique, but all fantastic and I did not know which one I liked most,” so in all its diversity the JMU succeeded this Ranger Day.
To some of these performers it is their “favorite day of the year” to showcase their music. The music has a meaning for both sides as the listeners enjoy each song performed and become excited for the next one. Performers take joy in their performances as well as the feedback they receive from the crowd.
The success of this year’s performances builds pressure for next year’s Ranger Day, as the JMU will be getting ready host a set of familiar and new faces next year to showcase new songs and new genres.
