The Belmont University School of Music will present its 14th Annual Commercial Music Showcase on Monday, February 6, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. in Massey Concert Hall. The free, one hour concert features the best solo performers, arrangers, instrumentalists, background vocalists and crew in the Commercial Music Program. The performers were chosen from 55 students who auditioned in September in front of music industry professionals for one of five coveted showcase spots.
The five students selected for the solo performances are:
Ricky Braddy, a Junior Commercial Major from Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
Though Ricky’s influences are Christian, Southern Gospel and Broadway Showtunes, he will perform R&B for the Commercial Music Showcase because he loves singing that style of music. Ricky will perform Dying to Live, a song recorded by Edgar Winter, and the Ray Charles’ classic Song for You, which was written by Leon Russell.
Lindsey Jones, a Senior Commercial Voice Major from Overland Park, Kansas.
Lindsey will perform two original songs. The first, Bullet, was written about a year ago about the fear of chasing a dream and not feeling like you measure up to expectations. According to Lindsey, the second song, Happy, is about relationships.
Alvin Love, a Junior Commercial Music Major from Nashville.
Alvin’s obsession with the visual aspects of performing will be spotlighted with the performance of two songs he has written and co-choreographed. He wrote Love Debut to literally announce his first appearance as a solo artist while Don’t Want to Stop is a light-hearted song about enjoying music and dancing and not wanting the fun to end.
Sarah Silva, a Junior Commercial Vocal Major from Fort Smith, Arkansas.
The Commercial Music Showcase is her first opportunity to appear on a Nashville stage. The words that Sarah uses to describe her music selections could also be used to describe her – fun, upbeat, energetic and entertaining. She will perform These Words by Natasha Bedingfield and the Chaka Khan classic I’m Every Woman.
Jack Young, a Senior Commercial Vocal Major from Palacios, Texas.
Jack is inspired by artists who are enjoying success with Latin music performed in both English and Spanish. While pursuing a musical career, Jack plans to stay true to himself and his heritage by performing Latin Christian music. For the Commercial Music Showcase, he will perform La Montana, a song recorded by one of his favorite Christian bands Salvador, and Los Lonely Boys’ Heaven in Spanish.
The arrangers, instrumentalist, background vocalist, students involved in the Commercial Music Showcase are selected by the Commercial Music Faculty.
The Commercial Music program is designed for students who wish to study contemporary/non-classical styles of music.The solo performers in the Commerical Music Showcase are indicative of the broad range of Belmont’s Commercial Music program. Each student will perform two songs, and several of the selections are original compositions. The concert also features the best of the School of Music’s background vocalists, instrumentalists and crew. All of the music charts for the concert have been arranged by the students of Belmont’s composition and arranging classes.
The Showcase is open to the public free of charge and will be held in Massey Concert Hall on the Belmont campus. For more information call (615) 460-6408.
