Thomas Clements
In Motion Staff Writer
A four-part medley from the supergroup Queen brought the crowd to its feet for a standing ovation Wednesday evening on March 3 in the Davidson Theater at the News-Journal Center.
This was from one of the acts that played in the showcase concert of the Music Production Program at Daytona State College, which is presented twice yearly. Seven bands, representing each of the seven classes in the Music Production Department at DSC, played a set of three songs each. Other students in the program handled the production side of the show, mixing the sound and controlling the lights.
Associate Professor Jake Nicely kicked off the show, telling the audience that the performance would be the students’ midterm grade.
A diverse but enthusiastic crowd got involved and held nothing back, clapping their hands and dancing in the aisles to “Renegades of Funk” by the group Rage Against the Machine. Band members shouted out thanks to friends and fellow students, along with parents and grandparents. One member thanked his wife and daughters.
The bands, ranging from six to 10 members, included singers, guitarists, drummers, two keyboardists, a percussion section and background singers. Professor Nicely, a professional musician before he was a professor, joined in on several songs with guitar and keyboards.
Other songs of the night included “Kryptonite” from 3 Doors Down, “What’s My Age Again?” by Blink 182, “Stand by Me” from Ben E. King and a rock version of “Tennessee Whiskey” made famous by country music legend George Jones.
The evening was brought to a close by a female vocal group performing Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” and “You’re No Good” by Linda Ronstadt.
The Music Product Program at DSC is headed by a group of renowned associate professors including Jake Nicely, Eric Swihart, Daniel Mixer and Scott Valazco
The musical groups and sound technicians, having been acquainted for only eight weeks, will come together again in May for their final grade in what is sure to be another 4.0 performance.