Strawberry won’t be the only type of jam going on at the Campus Center at noon.
Tunes at Noon, created by Director of Student Life Gordon Price, will feature local musicians and bands every other Wednesday in the Campus Center, beginning at 11:30.
Rhyan McLaury
The Broadside
“This place was built to be a hub on campus,” Price said, “that main spot where folks can congregate…it is nice to fill that space with music.”
Along with bringing a musical atmosphere into the Campus Center, Price said that the goals of Tunes at Noon are to give musicians an opportunity to perform and expose them to a wider audience. All the dates are booked with students, staff and faculty, as well as other acts from around Central Oregon.
“I also opened it up to the community because we are a community college,” said Price, “and we want to be connected to Central Oregon.”
On Jan. 16 Tunes at Noon featured classical guitarist, Jeffery Pinley, a Sisters High School and University of Oregon COCC branch graduate. He played classical pieces from the 1800s transposed for guitar, including Fur Elise, Moonlight Sonata and a song called Romance by an unknown writer, which “makes it all the more epic,” Pinley said during his performance.
All genres and styles are welcome to play, according to Price.
“That’s something I really wanted to stress,” Price said.
The upcoming lineup includes such diverse acts as Central Oregon Singers, COCC’s jazz choral; The Beer Slayers, a metal rock group; a string ensemble; and some folk music acts.
So far the program has been well received by staff and students, according to Price. With many musicians showing interest, he is already working on a schedule for next year.
Tunes at Noon will be featuring the Rich Hurdle Jazz Trio Jan. 30 at 11:30.
(Contact: rmclaury@cocc.edu
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