Play That Funky Music

College brings a plethora of new experiences to the forefront of life, from awkward dates with dorm mates to all night study binges. One of the classic and more visible - or shall I say audible - aspects of the collegiate lifestyle is the introduction of the eclectic college music scene.

Music abounds on the Colgate campus. Look around the next time you're in the Coop. How many of the flyers posted across the wall are advertising for concerts? On any given week, there's a Latin orchestra playing, a presentation by the University Chorus, a showcase by one of the student-run a cappella groups or even a one-man performance in the electronic/instrumental genre by Dosh. Whatever your preferred style of music is, Colgate provides exposure a wide variety of material.

The most obvious way a diversity of musical genres is presented is through the campus radio station, WRCU 90.1 FM. Playing world music, indie rock, jazz and a variety of specialty and talk shows, WRCU is a musical resource not to be taken for granted. Employing upwards of fifty students, a balanced schedule of mixed auditory tastes can be found almost 24/7, with National Public Radio filling the gaps in between late-night student DJs and their early-bird counterparts. Conveniently enough, the playlists for the shows are posted online at wrcu.colgate.edu, aiding in the acquisition of new material, which you can use to impress your friends.

Another blatant example of how immersed our student culture is in music is the abundance of iPods on campus. While in the gym or on the running trails, carrying an iPod makes perfect sense, but students don't stop there. Crossing the quad in the morning or going down the Persson steps, it seems as though every other person has the tell-tale white earphones tucked under their stylish winter headgear. The prevalence of the portable mp3 players obviously indicates a significant student interest in music.

Downloadable music ringtones are fairly common as well. Those are especially fun in the middle of class on one of those days when the professor is lecturing in a bad mood, and your phone goes off, filling the room with the dulcet sound of Paris Hilton, Chamillionaire. Quickly replacing standard ringtones as the social norm, music tones are readily available and very popular. Expect to hear one go off during class at least once during your college career, and take the proper steps to ensure that your phone is not the culprit.

Music is one of the essential components of the college years, a backdrop to the events unfolding in some of the most formative years of our lives. So experience it. Explore it. Delve beyond your usual tastes; you never know what you might fall in love with. A great way to get some fresh exposure would be by going to Bandfest on Friday night at the Creative Arts House and supporting some local talent. Whether you find a new favorite band or a hot date for next weekend, music events are always worth checking out. After all, music makes people come together.