What is the El Camino Society of Music?

We’re a club that supports the music department. We do fund raisers and recitals to support the music department. We give musicians a chance to perform, network, to expose them to other types of music major branches, like music therapy, music performance and education.

Why is the society important to El Camino?

Well, there’s a story behind it. The Music Library was going to be shut down. So this club was formed as a voice for the music faculty and students. Not only are we here to prevent any cuts like that, but since the first things to be cut are fine arts when we’re going through an economic crisis like this, we have to keep the momentum up and put our foot in the door if they try to cut any music programs.

What’s an interesting experience you’ve had while in the club?

I had never led a group or a club prior to EC. I have developed a lot of serious leadership skills and I have learned how to work with people who don’t want to work with me. I’ve also learned how to organize things better; it’s something that really strengthened me as a student here at EC. There are a lot of club members who don’t make it to the meetings and they do a lot for us outside of the club. We have almost 300 contacts on our e-mail listing.

What are your goals for the club?

I would like the club to grow more and one thing I always wanted the club to do is to go to high schools to perform. I want the club to attract more musicians here, to re-establish the music program to how it used to be around 10 years ago, when the Music Building was just a Music Building. For some reason, the flow of talented musicians coming in to EC has stopped. I want the club to be that stepping stone to make a richer program for music students.

Are there any requirements to join the club?

If you love music, you’re welcome. We meet every Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Music Building in Room 2.

Are there any upcoming events that involve the EC Society of Music?

Not only do we represent the students but the faculty as well, because this next recital, which is on April 25, is called El Camino Society of Music with Ars Nova Sinfonia, and that recital will consist of music faculty and music students. The concert, which has two showings, is at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 25. The last recital we had like that we sold out two shows in one day in the Haag Recital Hall. We are also going to perform at the Long Beach Pacific Hospital, dates to be announced, and we also perform for club campus events.