As renovations at the University of North Carolina at Asheville Lipinsky Hall continue, the music department hosted the first Live at Lunch performance of the semester on Thursday, Sept. 18, at Reed Plaza.
Live at Lunch performances happen on Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. at the Reed Plaza. Entry is free, and free popcorn is offered as part of entry.
The XTET ensemble performed an hourlong set of jazz music, with most pieces being composed by the members themselves.
XTET pianist and music major Juca Camera said that he had a blast performing at Reed Plaza, marking his first performance in that part of campus.
“In my first two years we’ve been performing in front of Lipinsky,” said Camera. “I think the Plaza definitely fits more as a setting for Live at Lunch since it’s right next to Brown Hall.”
With many of the music classes and ensemble rehearsals being spread across campus, Camera said the displacement has its pros and cons. He mentioned that fellow music students struggle with having to constantly move equipment from one location to another.
“It’s hard especially for rhythm section people that need to carry all their equipment and gear around,” Camera said. “It’s awful, but I know in a few years we’re going to have a new Lipinsky. It’s going to be worth it.”
Music Technology student Grayson Warner was in the audience for the performance, and said he loved the performance and the new home for Live at Lunch.
“I think maybe Reed is better for exposure to the music department versus Lipinsky,” Warner said. “When I saw the performance at Reed, I was shocked there were so many people watching.”
Matthew Richmond, a senior lecturer of music, said the new spaces can benefit performers as it pushes them out of their comfort zones.
“Most of our temporary spaces are actually better than what we had in Lipinsky. So we’re having transitional pains figuring out the new spaces,” said Richmond. “But the actual quality of what we can do in them is really good and it’s in a lot of ways making people step up their game.”
Richmond mentioned the difficulties of having to share spaces with other parties on campus, such as conflicts with scheduling and availability. He said this does open the door for the music department to interact with other departments on campus that may not have had prior history with them
While these changes challenge students and faculty, they also create opportunities for connections outside of campus.
Carolina Perez, professor of music, said that the networking happening as a result of Lipinsky’s renovations also connects the music department to the greater Asheville community.
“I think it really helps us show something to the larger community and bring them to UNCA,” Perez said. “I see it as a bridge between us and Asheville at large.”
“Live at Lunch has been excellent as far as making this campus vibrant,” Perez said. “I think right now it plays a really important role in bringing the community together. It’s very in line with the culture of Asheville at large, live music is kind of everywhere you go.”
