Ryan Cobar, a fourth-year music and technology major and president of the Music Club is hoping that more people find the club this semester as a healthy outlet to de-stress and connect with other music lovers. “Our main goals are to put two shows on this semester, to really highlight our students and gather them together to give them a safe place to be creative.”
The club has two events in the works this semester and is hoping to spread the word and get as many people out to enjoy the performances as possible. The Spring Show will be held Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Meeting House, building 98. The second event will be an open mic night open to all students, as the club still wants to offer its resources and give everyone a chance to make their talents heard.
“I think there are a lot of people on campus who have a passion for music and need a creative outlet, judgment-free and free of cost,” Cobar said. “We just want to be here for the music community on campus. No instrument needed, though you are welcome to bring your own if you want to.”
Cobar expresses how he and the rest of the club officers, “know that everyone has that one really rough class, is worried about a test, or is in need of a way to decompress after a super long week” and wants to encourage students to “come out for the club and play something. Forget about all that for a while!”
The club is also continuing to offer drum lessons this semester taught by Thomas Hurrell, the club’s vice president. Cobar knew the music program at Cal State Monterey Bay already offered keyboard and guitar lessons. “I figured why not supplement what is missing?” he said. “We are currently working on a fundraiser to get some funds toward refurbishing five more sets of drums for lessons. We also are in the works to get bass lessons going if not this semester then next.”
For any students who are music majors but feel like they are missing a piece to the puzzle or not getting the experience they fully were hoping for, Cobar shares how the club “works closely with the department to help point students in the right direction with what they are hoping to learn in the music world. We want to see the entire department work together to help raise the students up.” The music department and the club try to work hand in hand to help students find whatever they are looking for in their music journeys.
“I try to tell anyone who is nervous about joining that there is absolutely no skill level needed. If you’re coming to learn an instrument that’s great, if you’re coming to practice that’s great, if you’re coming to play an instrument you aren’t super comfortable with even better! Or to scat around, adlib, just jam then do it. There is no right or wrong, it’s all freestyle like one big jam session for us to all relax and vibe out. It might be your only chance during the week to do something low-stakes, that won’t stress you out,” Cobar said.
The club meets on Mondays from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. followed by the drum lessons right after, in the Music Hall, building 30. For additional information check them out on MyRaft and Instagram @csumbmc.
