For Jeanette Martinez and Shaun Bryant, music majors, Cerritos College’s Music Club’s second Annual Cans Concert was a great chance to express their love, while helping the food drive at the same time.
The recently engaged couple performed a 50s love song on the night of the show as one of the 20 performances that occurred Nov. 12.
“We met in our music theory class, got into the music club together, and are both pursuing careers in music,” Martinez says.
With plans to marry before they transfer, Bryant and Martinez were happy to join the other 18 musicians that participated in the concert.
Music major Kris Raman, alongside Angel Torres and Art Martinez, felt the event was a great opportunity for getting accustomed to live performances.
“I auditioned because I wanted to play a (in front of?) crowd. You need experience with live audiences, especially with metal,” he says.
The three rockers brought the metal to the show, covering Children of Bodom and Ozzy Osbourne’s “Mr. Crowley.”
There was much musical diversity throughout the concert, from classical, metal, garage rock, jazz to latin.
Even Cerritos’ local electronic DJ, Thompson “Quangstuh” Tran, performed a live set, although he didn’t have his Gameboys’ that night.
Rosemarie Medina, adviser of the Music Club, says, “These are some really talented kids, and it’s great to watch their progress through their performances.
“But even though I’m the adviser it’s really they who put these concerts together.”
A follow-up to last year’s food drive event, the Annual Cans Concert is a show the Music Club wishes to organize every fall semester.
Rusty Kennedy, vice president of the club, explains, “Since we don’t usually get as many cans as other clubs [during the food drive], we thought we could try to give something more.
“Last year we came up with the Cans Concert and with this being the second one, we really want to make this an expected event,” he added.
President of the club, Cindy Hernandez, believes it was a night to benefit everyone.
“We invited anyone to audition, whether you’re a music major, club member or not. And the entry fee is only one can.
“So if you wanted to give to the cause, you could, or if you just wanted to perform, you could do that too. It’s a win-win all around,” she said.
It is true that the club does not get as many cans as others; the turnout for the concert showed more people than cans, despite the entry fee.
However, most involved with the event were pleased with the night. The concert even attracted alumni.
Mike Lee, Cerritos College graduate and student at the Musicians Institute, says he was glad to come back to his old campus for the show.
“I only remember good times here, and the Music Department was the best of it.
“This concert really shows why: it’s a great foundation for musicians to start growing as performers and it’s a supportive environment for all involved; you’re only surrounded by friends here.
“Kinda like a nest. From here, you spread your wings,” he said.
