2008 Woodie Awards
ASISU lookin' to rock you
Eryn Lowe
Issue date: 3/8/06 Section: News
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Concert Coordinator Jeff Brown says none of the facility venues-Holt Arena, Reed Gym or the Stephens Performing Arts Center-on campus are fittingly designed for big concerts.
"The Stephens Center is not really for a rock concert. The acoustics are more for an orchestra. Reed loses sound quality. And Holt has the worst acoustics; and many bands don't want to come into an arena of that size," Brown said. "It would be perfect if we could mix all three."
After actually deciding on what facility to use, Brown says they then have to find date when the band can come and when the facility is available. Brown says the facility directors like George Casper have been great to work with.
"It's been wonderful working with facility administrators," Brown said. "They've done a wonderful job."
Another obstacle the concerts committee faces is getting bands to come to this area.
"This area is not a major market," Brown said. "It's been difficult to attract big name bands."
The process first begins with making connections with the agents of the music industry and also with people on campus.
"There's security, staging, electricians, band relations, tickets, finding easy district outlets for tickets to take care of," Brown said.
Brown says the committee uses their own agent to serve as a middle-man between ISU and band agents.
As far as what the Program Board has to pay for, they take care of the band gear, advertising and the artist fee.
Brown says that with the additional funding they recently received, the idea will hopefully stick around and grow.
"We're really excited. This whole notion of big concerts has only become accessible to us because the ASISU Senate allowed us to carry some funds from last year to be used specifically for big concerts," Brown said.