Novia D. Rulistia, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sun, 10/18/2009 11:59 AM
A lineup of prominent artists, affordable ticket prices, a place to hang out and meet new people or just catch up with some old friends. These are just a few of the things university musical events have to offer.
But look a little deeper and you'll find that a lot of the time its more than just a show.
Take, for example, the annual music events at University of Indonesia (UI) and Bandung's Parahyangan Catholic University (Unpar).
Nacitta Kanyandara, project officer of UI's 32nd Jazz Goes to Campus (JGTC) said that since it was first organized by the school of Economics, it had become the prime place for students to express their interest in music, and to gain wider appreciation for the arts.
She said that as JGTC was part of the school's senate that dealt with music, art and sports activities, the event was a perfect way to channel students' passion about music, especially jazz.
"This is the biggest musical event in the school, so the opportunity for students to participate is also bigger than any other musical events we have here," Nacitta said.
JGTC will be held this November with many famous singers and bands as well as campus performers and indie bands.
Nacitta said that during the event, there would be three stages for all performers one of which was dedicated entirely to students, campus bands, jazz communities and new bands.
"But there's something new in this year's JGTC. We have jazz road shows to the Bandung Institute of Technology *ITB* and Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. After more than three decades, we want to expand our network and jazz community," she said.
She added that they would also have a coaching session with some of the country's foremost jazz experts, including Oele Pattiselanno and Barry Likumahuwa.
"Besides the music, what's also important is that we learn things that formal education doesn't have," Nacitta said.
Similar with JGTC, the Social and Political Sciences department at Unpar also annually organizes a musical event on a smaller scale.
Saptadi Haryusapta, a business administration major at Unpar, coordinated the 14th Pasar Malam Kampus Tiga. He said the event was designed to unite students of three majors under the school, also to bring first-year students, seniors and alumni together.
"Because the event is made from, by and for the school, we want to focus more on bringing up bands from within the faculty. They're great! As good as the famous names," he said.
Kampus Tiga is another name for the school of social and political sciences at Unpar.
Saptadi said that since the theme was fun park, they also wanted to make the park - the venue - as fun as the show on the stage. He envisaged that it would have percussion and pantomime performances to really set the mood.
Music observer Bens Leo said that music events in university campuses and schools could be an alternative form of amusement for students but could also be the perfect time to unlock some hidden potential.
"Campus bands or singers will face some challenges inherent to performing. On campus, they sing live, so good singing technique is needed, the crowd is also different; they will learn what pleases an audience," he said.
Bens said that it was no secret that many famous bands had started oout as campus bands, such as Padi, Mocca and Efek Rumah Kaca, and many more.
Apart from that, for the artists, especially new ones, the campus could also be a perfect place for them to promote their new albums.
"So music events on campus does not only benefit students who love music, but also the artists themselves," Bens said.
The rector of the Jakarta Arts Institute, Wagiono Sunarto, said that art contributed much to the development of one's personality and the social community.
Students studying in art school might have been ready to make it their profession, he said, but apart from the curriculum track, activities involving art could be an effective tool in constructing culture, community and the campus itself.
"Besides, arts events also show the student's appreciation of arts, which translates into an appreciation of life. Art is only the expression, but what's in it, it revolves around life," he said.
