Performing Arts welcomes students of all backgrounds

You don’t have to be a music major to take advantage of some of the Performing Arts classes that MHCC has to offer.

Classes such as jazz or choir can be good elective courses that offer a perspective and appreciation to music that isn’t mainstream, but shouldn’t be forgotten. Choir Director Kevin Lambert and Jazz Director Dan Davey encourage anyone with a knowledge of an instrument or enjoys singing, to check out these classes.

Davey is a new member of the MHCC faculty and hopes to rekindle the college’s strong jazz history along with creating wonderful music.

“I would like to showcase what jazz has to offer by private training, student-performed concerts, ensembles or combos, on and off-campus, as well as invite special performers and professionals from the music industry,” said Davey.

He also hopes to do some live outreach, so students gain real-life music experience both on and off-campus.

He invites not only music majors at Mt. Hood, but anyone who can play an instrument or simply has a passion for music, to take a class or check out an event that the students will perform.

Lambert directs both the symphonic and chamber choirs at MHCC. Prospective students must sing a five-minute audition for Lambert to place them in their vocal chorus secton. The audition isn’t meant to cause any type of stress, but is just a way for him to check the student’s vocal range, he said.

Lambert said he prefers a relaxed atmosphere, while maintaining a professional quality in the music the choir preforms. An overwhelming amount of his students aren’t music majors. This is a good thing, because he “wants people to sing no matter their background.”

Since he took over the MHCC choir, size has doubled. This year, his goal is to again, increase the size of the choir.

“If you like to sing, come by and say ‘Hi,’ “ Lambert said. Classes are Monday, Wednesday and Friday and runs from 12p.m. to 12:50 p.m. or 1p.m. to 1:50 p.m.

Lambert said he tries to respect busy student schedules and stress, and doesn’t plan many major concerts, with the exception of the Grotto Concert Christmas Choral Fest on Dec. 4, later this year.

If any of this sounds interesting, or maybe it is just time to break out of your comfort zone, the Performing Arts program would love for you to come check out these classes and anything else it has to offer.