The Music Point

By OMER LAVIAN, BY 

This year the Psi chapter introduced the Music Point to its participation point requirements. Like with all the other points the chapter has, members must have three music points by the end of the year per the Psi constitution. These points are acquired either by performing music or attending musical events (outside of those which fulfill one's Band requirement, of course, which are performing as part of a school ensemble and Band gigs). One of those events must be a UCLA music event such as a PsiEK concert or a Symphonic Band recital.

This year, the Psi chapter provided several incredible opportunities for its members to fulfill the Music Point requirement. Director of Music Emma Boone stated that Brothers could attain Music Points by presenting about the music with which they grew up in one of our weekly meetings. Brother Omer Lavian was the first to make such a presentation with his lecture about Mizrahi music, a genre of Israeli music that he listened to frequently during his childhood. 

​Arguably the most popular Music Point opportunity of the year so far was Battle of the Bands from this past quarter. For this event, Psi Director of Music Emma Boone and Epsilon Kappa Director of Service and Music Talia Fossa placed interested sisters, brothers, and candidates into groups. The groups all performed in a competition judged by one Psi brother (Ronnie Chase), one EK sister (Marcus Veal), a Psi candidate (Evelyn Coffey), and a special guest judge: UCLA Band Administrative Assistant Paul Addleman! Those who performed in the contest, as well those who came as spectators, received Music Points. 

Battle of the Bands contained a variety of different performances. The genres of music performed ranges from acapella to jazz to folk to rock and roll. Furthermore, in the middle of the concert, a spontaneous jam session occurred in which many attendees came together to play "Dig Down" by Muse. While several awards were given out that night, such as "Best Band Name," "Most Valuable Performer," and "Fan Favorite," the judges chose the ensemble consisting of Brothers Jade McVay, Sean Ezenwugo, William Shu, and Justin Wolfman along with Psi Candidate Carrie Appel. This group, dressed in loose ties and extremely bright dress clothes, performed a powerful rendition of "Pressure" by Muse on a variety of strange instruments including melodica, glockenspiel, recorder, and kazoo. The most striking part of the whole performance was the impassioned yelling of the chorus by Jade McVay towards the end of the song. The lights went out and a spotlight shifted focus right to McVay's face, which highlighted the emotion in her voice. 

Overall, the introduction of the Music Point to the Psi chapter has encouraged chapter members to become more closely acquainted with the art of music. We have Director of Music Emma Boone both for alerting the chapter about events that can fulfill these requirements and for putting together events, such as Battle of the Bands, that allow Brothers to get their Music Points.

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