MRU jazz students bring the class

Sometimes, it can feel hard to be a Mount Royal University student. While the academic side of campus is going strong, it is what goes on outside of the classroom that can get students down about their school.

For the last few years (and beyond), MRU has struggled to be more than just a day campus — somewhere you aren’t aching to bust out of at 4:00 p.m. on Friday.

Four of the MRU jazz performance students take the stage at one of the Friday afternoon sessions. Photo: Ralph Gonzales

Somewhere you would actually consider going to for a fun, relaxing — dare we say classy — night out.

Luckily, at least one program on campus is trying to remedy this.

Imagine: it’s Friday night and your wild weekend is about to begin. You might make an ass of yourself, or maybe you’ll actually get some studying done. Either way, you want to start it off right.

One option you might not, but really should, consider is Jazz Night at The Hub, put on by the students in Mount Royal’s jazz performance stream.

Starting at 4:00 p.m., you can listen to some really talented musicians and visit with your friends. Perhaps even your friends are on stage. Not only does it give you an opportunity to get drunk nice and early, you can feel classy while doing it.

There aren’t many better ways to compensate for anti-social behavior and stress during the week by listening to some sexy tunes in a dimly lit room.

Not only is it nice for the students in the seats at The Hub, but it is great practice for the students performing up on stage.

While the opportunity is fantastic for those in the program, first year jazz student Niko Tsiras admitted that it is nerve-wracking to just get up and perform on the stage.

“I was extremely nervous,” Tsiras said, “especially after I heard the guys start to play.” Luckily, the music community at the school is supportive, and some of the students have had a bit more practice.

“The first thing that (fellow jazz student Tristan Campbell) said was ‘there’s never a jam session that goes right.’ It becomes a lot easier to play on that stage after hearing that.”

Mount Royal is lucky to be a school blessed with such talent, or else Friday nights would go over much differently. Many who attend have never previously listened to jazz, but the students get a great reception every time.

Danni Richardson, another first-year student at MRU, described the show as “a really cool way to unwind after a hard midterm,” and that’s a sentiment a lot of students can relate to.

With a fast-paced schedule at school, it’s nice to hear music that chills you out, no matter how tightly wound you are. Your toes will tap, your head will nod, and you’ll feel like you finally understand the musical Chicago.

Congratulations, MRU, on getting back some class one note at a time.