A little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll
- posted: 26 June 2007
- scrollarts@byui.edu
I have a list of things I want to do before I die. Thanks to the BYU-Idaho Activities Program, I’ll check one off this Thursday.
When I first wrote “sing in front of lots of people” on a list in my spiral-bound notebook, I doubted it would ever happen. I’m not a music major. I like to sing and I play instruments, but I’ve never had any professional vocal training or played in a band. I put it down anyway.
The list lay undisturbed on a shelf in my room for months. I’ve spent my time at BYU-I out of the limelight, writing about events, but never actually participating.
Then, I heard that the Activities Program offered “opportunities to get involved,” so I decided to try it. No more would I settle for sitting back and writing. I signed up to be a judge for my favorite show—Guitars Unplugged.
I learned more about BYU-I in the two nights I spent judging than I bargained for.
I learned about the spirit of love and support. I was impressed with Falkor when they performed “It’s the End of the World (As We Know It),” but I was even more impressed with their wives behind us, holding babies and swaying to the music.
I began to understand the purpose of the Activities Program. It isn’t to put on a huge show and make money on DVDs. I watched the managers handle situations and make hard decisions. I saw them prepare for life after graduation.
I was also a little jealous of these performers who had so much confidence in their music.
I went home that night and pulled my list off the shelf. There, with no check mark beside it, was that goal I wrote so long ago: “Sing in front of lots of people.”
That’s when I realized the point of my time at BYU-I. I was here to develop not only as a professional, but especially as a person. Students can be involved in anything they choose—even things not in their major.
I picked up a bass, learned some harmonies and tried out for Nashville Nights.
I felt the butterflies and excitement of tryouts. I understood the difficulty of hearing yourself when speakers are pointed toward the judges.
And when I read the e-mail congratulating us on getting in, I smiled and took a notebook off the shelf in my room.
Check. 
